West Hartford officials are moving to extend a long-term lease of 8 acres to an affordable housing nonprofit, facilitating a roughly $115 million reconstruction and expansion of a complex serving senior and disabled residents.
West Hartford’s Town Council will hold a Jan. 10 public hearing on a resolution that would allow Town Manager Rick Ledwith to offer a new lease of up to 99 years on the town-owned land at 10-50 Starkel Road to an offshoot of the West Hartford Fellowship Housing Inc.
The nonprofit got its start roughly 50 years ago, as area churches and synagogues came together around the mission of affordable housing. Today, its volunteer board of directors provides affordable housing for seniors and the disabled in a complex of 169 apartments in 23 buildings on the town-owned site.
A new lease is needed to secure financing for the first phase of a phased project that will see the existing complex demolished and replaced with about 264 units in six new buildings, according to Mark Garilli, a project executive with Construction Solutions Group.
Construction Solutions is contracted with West Hartford Fellowship Housing Inc., providing Garilli for the role of executive director.
The affordable housing nonprofit plans to demolish and rebuild the existing complex in phases over the course of several years, in a “leapfrog” approach that will avoid displacing current residents, Garilli said. The new complex will offer improved accessibility, upgraded amenities and new technology, he said.
“It’s time,” Garilli said. “We really need to upgrade ADA compliance and accessibility. Two-story walkups are not efficient for an elderly population. And building design has come a long way in 50 years.”
The first phase of the project – estimated at $27 million – is expected to launch in April or May. It will take 22 apartments offline and build back 65 units over 18 to 20 months, according to Garilli.
Garilli said this phase is backed by a $4 million State Bond Commission allocation, along with Connecticut Housing Finance Authority tax credits anticipated to yield about $16.5 million on the private market. The gap will be covered by a mortgage, he said.
The resolution coming before the Town Council has conditions.
The corporate entity being created by West Hartford Fellowship Housing for the project must remain a nonprofit dedicated to providing rental housing for elderly and the mobility impaired, according to a draft resolution. Additionally, at least 80% of apartments must be rented to elderly or mobility impaired individuals earning less than 80% area median income.
Garilli said a portion of the new apartments will be offered at market rates to help pay for the project over the long term.
