Project Updates

The Atrium at Austin Bluffs - Northeast Colorado Springs

Serving the rapidly growing senior population, The Atrium at Austin Bluffs is a project in development.  The City of Colorado Springs authorized transfer of the property to Greccio Housing on the condition that it be developed as a senior affordable housing complex.  Concepts for this infill development project continue as we match community needs with available funding opportunities. Anticipated project completion Fall 2021!

Plans include service to one of our most vulnerable populations, on-site and service-enriched offerings from Greccio’s Resident Resource team as well as community nonprofit partners, an abundance of community gathering and social activities, low-impact planning for traffic, a roof-top community atrium and garden space, and a small dog-run area for future residents’ furry friends!

 

October 2020 - Updates

 Construction is well underway!  The first few months on a new-build site are very busy, mostly laying a firm foundation for what will be home to 54 individual seniors and couples for generations to come.  Want to catch the most up-to-date view of the site? – click here!:  https://www.senserasystems.com/public/project/Atrium 

September 2020 - Updates

Dirt work has begun on site!

March 2020 - Updates

 Even with the uncertainty of our times, the progress for approval of this project has been remarkably smooth.  Approval of plans from both Land Use Review (planning and zoning) and Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, we hope to break ground in the next few months.  When plans are finalized and ready to go, we will publish final renderings of the exterior of the building here.  Interiors and layout are substantively the same as presented during the public meeting on November 21.  We have great partners in this development, and are already receiving inquiries from seniors about when they can move in!

November 22, 2019 - Updates

Thanks to all who attended the public meeting on November 21st. Questions, comments, and conversations from last night are being consolidated, and frequently asked questions will be included on our Message from the Executive Director and Atrium at Austin Bluffs FAQ page, and updated on our website soon. While conversations were robust, we received very few written comments or questions. Please remember that in addition to the public meeting, your comments and questions can be recorded with the City’s Land Use Review Division as our Development Plan is reviewed. Questions for Greccio can be sent directly to lpatke@greccio.org, or through a link on our website at www.greccio.org.

A 3rd party Traffic and Transportation Consultant was hired to professionally analyze traffic impact of the project on the adjacent roadways; the complete analysis can be found here. 

November 2019 - Updates

 Our initial Development Plan application has now been submitted to the Land Use Review Division.  It is typical to have several rounds of feedback and revisions over several months prior to approval.  We have also scheduled a community meeting to introduce and discuss elements of the Plan (the building), amenities, resources, and population served, as well as to answer questions and solicit input.  Please join us Nov. 21, 5:30 – 7pm in the Upper Room at Rocky Mountain Calvary Chapel, 4285 N. Academy Blvd (NE corner of Academy and Austin Bluffs).  For more information, contact Lee Patke, Executive Director, at lpatke@greccio.org, or (719) 419-5612. 

October 2019 - Updates

The last 2 months have been busy behind the scenes, as we prepare our initial Development Plan submittal for Land Use Review. We’ll hope to announce the application and review soon! Greccio is also excited to announce that the Myron Stratton Foundation has joined the project as lender for funds necessary for the important design phase of the site, building, and amenities for our future residents. Myron Stratton brings a long history or supporting and providing opportunity for limited income seniors in our community, and have joined Greccio to bring housing stability and opportunity to this worthy and high-demand population.

July 2019 - Updates

We are excited to announce a funding award from the Atrium at Austin Bluffs by the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority in late May!  Since then, work has begun on detailed design and engineering of the building, its amenities, and other pre-development activity.  This phase may take from 6 to 18 months, in preparation to begin construction.  Engagement with community partners and interested parties is also underway, to ensure the Atrium is an attractive, engaging, and livable home to its future residents and the neighborhood.

January 2019 - Updates

Pre-development activity includes site planning, working with future Resident Resource partners, and securing funding for construction.
The Arcadia Apartments -North-Central Colorado Springs

One of our smaller apartment communities, the 6-unit Arcadia Apartments were originally acquired in December of 2016.  An already-sound building, desired improvements have included a new boiler system for heat, paving of the gravel parking lot, painting the exterior, and conversion of 2 of the units to ADA accessibility.  Installation of a new and high-efficiency boiler system have just been completed.  The Arcadia ADA upgrade project is generously funded by a City of Colorado Springs Community Development Block Grant. These Improvements will make the Arcadia Apartments a stable, safe, and affordable place to live for another generation.

October 2020 - Updates

Two units in the Arcadia Apartment complex are scheduled to receive handicap accessibility upgrades. This work encompasses a complete remodel inside both units with new bathrooms, kitchens and interior finishes. Work will also included new sidewalks and handicap accessible ramps leading into both units. The parking area will be paved and will include much needed drainage improvements. All work is currently under contract and expected to take place early next month.

July 2019 - Updates

The bidding process for each of the primary improvement areas is in its final stages, and we expect work to begin this summer!

March 2019 - Updates

 Our CDBG loan application has been approved by the city and will soon be finalized. This will allow us to begin our architectural design work and several exterior improvements as soon as April of 2019.

January 2019 - Updates

Our city application was recently updated to answer questions from community development and in final coordination. In the meantime, we are gathering estimates/proposals for the desired work (parking lot paving, painting, ADA upgrades to 2 apartments, landscaping and roofing). We’re seeking to start work in mid-spring.
Kittyhawk Apartments

 

After damage from a fire in Spring, 2020, tenants from 26 units were temporarily displaced. Greccio worked diligently to continue to provide housing for all tenants while immediate repairs were made to the complex. Urgent repairs were completed to the complex boilers, providing both heat and hot water, and power was restored to affected units. These efforts allowed tenants in 24 units to return to their homes. Construction is currently underway to rebuild the two remaining units and the complex laundry facilities. Work is expected to be complete late Fall, 2020.

October 2020- Update

Insulation is up and drywall is stocked in the remaining two units.

Clark Mellen

Based on results from a portfolio-wide Capital Needs Assessment, Greccio will replace and upgrade the roofing system at Clark Mellen Apartments. This property was originally constructed in 1900. Work is under contract with a local Colorado Springs roofing firm and expected to take place early in November.

The Ridge - South Colorado Springs

Construction is complete! Residents began moving in, Friday, June 26, 2020.

The Ridge is a funded and approved new-construction project at the intersection of Hwy 115 and S. Academy, in the Broadmoor Bluffs neighborhood.  A 60-unit property of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units, The Ridge has undergone a tremendous amount of scrutiny, and has been approved/supported at every level of review.  The most recent was a 35-point opinion by District Court, with all 35 points in favor of The Ridge.

With Commonwealth Development as primary developer, and Greccio Housing as minority owner and property manager. Funding is provided through Low Income Housing Tax Credits, local and State investment, and traditional construction and long-term financing.

June 2020- Update

Worthy goals sometime take time – we are excited to announce that after 5 years of commitment, THE RIDGE IS OPEN!  Demonstrating very high need for housing, each of the first 2 buildings were 100% occupied within 30 days.  The third and final building is expected in December, bringing an additional (10) 3-bedroom apartments to the complex, as well as a business center, rec and exercise area, and host of Resident Resource offerings to ensure support and housing stability for our residents.  Many thanks to Commonwealth Development for their commitment to this project and our city!

March 2020- Update

After a brief construction delay several months ago, The Ridge is moving along on schedule now, and will be open for leasing by late Spring or early summer.  The buildings are a beautiful addition to a long-vacant site, and brings affordable housing to the community at a time we need it most.  Watch our website for updates and for how to join the interest list to make The Ridge your new home!

November 2019- Update

Construction is well underway!

July 2019- Update

Construction began in February and is on schedule for a February, 2020 opening!  Watch our website later this summer for an initial Interest List and Waitlist; applications will be accepted in late fall.

January 2019- Update

Pre-construction activity is underway on-site, and construction begins! Information letters have gone out to the owners of adjacent condos. The estimated time of construction is 12-14 months.
Rocky Mountain Apartments - Southeast Colorado Springs

Construction is complete! Residents began moving in, Monday, June 22, 2020.

Rocky Mountain is a unique affordable housing development, as it represents the first “Acquisition and Conversion” of an existing office building into 18 NEW affordable housing units.  Located to the east of Dunkin Donuts on Bijou and Circle, the 1- and 2-bedroom unit development will offer 2 ADA units, central location, enclosed courtyard with picnic area, playground, a community garden, and a “Grab-N-Go” library. Funding partners will include the City of Colorado Springs, El Paso County Housing Authority, State of Colorado, and Ent Credit Union. The Rocky Mountain Apartments are located in a qualified Enterprise Zone, which means that support of this project through donations are eligible for an additional 25% State Tax CREDIT!  Investing in this development is a great way to support affordable housing in our community!

June 2020 - Updates

Rocky Mountain Ribbon CuttingWe are open for business! Rocky Mountain Apartments has officially received a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy and had the final building inspection. The first tenant is moving in! Soon, 18 more families in our community will call Rocky Mountain home. 

May 2020 - Updates

 

The Rocky Mountain units are looking less like a construction site and more like a home! The exterior is getting a new coat of paint and the courtyard is beginning to take shape. 18 more families will have safe, stable, and affordable homes very soon!

March 2020 - Updates

  Wow – what a transformation!  What was previously a hodge-podge of offices with different cabinets and flooring throughout, is taking shape as fresh new apartment homes.  Thanks to a range of funders and our dedicated general contractor, TN Parker construction, we are about 60 days away from offering 18 new units to our community.  With an enclosed courtyard, playground, community gardens, grab-n-go library (thank you Keegan!), and gated access, we look forward to scheduling our grand-opening and ribbon cutting very soon.  Stay tuned for details!

October 2019 - Updates

Construction is underway! After many tweaks to the design of the building to accommodate the latest building department requirements, we received our building permit in September, and the clock is now ticking on our 7-month expected time of construction, with an opening in spring, 2020! Many thanks to our General Contractor, TN Parker, and architect, Terry Van Sant, for their tireless efforts to get us to this exciting point in the project!

July 2019 - Updates

Due to continued development of the building plan, we expect construction to begin in late summer or early fall.  Greccio and our funding partners have remained committed to bringing this new affordable housing property online in mid-2020. 

January 2019 - Updates

Demo and all asbestos remediation on the interior of the building is complete. Final build-out plans are being finalized, and construction should begin around the beginning of April. Estimated time of construction: 8-9 months.
Woodbine Apartments ADA Upgrades
Originally acquired in 2012, Woodbine is undergoing an accessibility renovation and improvement project. With much of the housing inventory in our city constructed in the 70s and 80s, conversion to greater accessibility is a priority today. Thank you to the City of Colorado Springs for their investment of HOME funds into this important upgrade and expanded accessible offering for a population with limited options for housing.

July 2019-Update

As of May, 2019, accessibility and ADA upgrades to the entrance and 4 ground-level apartments is now complete!  Many thanks to our construction partners, TN Parker Construction and Tucco Construction; and our primary funding source, the City of Colorado Springs.  Special thanks for ongoing advice and consultation by the Independence Center!

March 2019-Update

The first of four apartment conversions to provide greater accessibility was completed on March 26, 2019. This unit now has a more open layout, allowing greater movement and ADA/ANSI amenities in the bathroom and kitchen areas.

January 2019-Update

Already completed is a new ground-floor entryway, which replaced a cumbersome 5-step elevated entry deck, which then led to more stairs to the garden level or second floor. The new entryway offers ground-floor access for those with mobility impairments improved ease of visiting. The next phase of improvements, beginning in March/April 2019, will be a conversion of four ground-level apartments to ADA/ANSI standards – open bathrooms, walk/roll-in showers, modified doorways, lowered cabinets/countertops and more!
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES & FUTURE PROJECTS

  • Having opened 2 new properties in the last few months, and with ADA renovations either recently completed or underway, Greccio is also deeply committed to preserving the affordable housing units in our inventory.  A portfolio-wide Capital Needs Assessment was recently completed, and we are working on a multi-million-dollar strategy to care for immediate needs and update and upgrade all of our properties over the next decade.  Watch for your chance to join in our effort, especially through the benefit of an Enterprise Zone donation, which generates a 25% TAX CREDIT for you.  Make your donation go farther – join in our mission today!

  • In partnership with Partners in Housing and the Rocky Mountain Community Land Trust, Greccio and its partners in “GPR Properties III” is nearing final design for 168 new affordable apartments in southeast Colorado Springs.  Building on their success of the Bentley Commons Apartments, the new units will consist of 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom units, serving those with modest incomes, veterans, and families in a transitional housing program.  Watch for announcements and more information, hopefully coming soon!

  • At least 2 other projects are in development, consisting of up to 200 more units of affordable housing, in additional to hundreds of thousands of dollars in Eviction Prevention rental assistance for those whose housing is at risk due to the economic impact of Covid-19.    

Greccio budgets and regularly contributes to reserve accounts to ensure ongoing care and replacement of its properties, to include major mechanical systems, deductibles for storm damages, and routine upkeep.  Grants and loans are not uncommon for unique upgrades, improvements consistent with community priorities, or other major improvements for which funding becomes available.

Affordable housing has an insignificant or positive effect on property values in high-valued neighborhoods and improves values in lower-valued neighborhoods. And, affordable housing has no negative impact on the price or frequency of sales of neighboring homes. 

Affordable housing does not overburden schools and infrastructure. Studies show that single-family homes have two to three times the number of school-aged children of those residing in apartments.

Questions or comments on our projects?