Cambridge Heights Neighborhood Phase II Starts

KAI Design & Build is set to begin construction on Phase II of the new Cambridge Heights mixed income housing development in North St. Louis City. The new neighborhood replaces a derelict 500-unit, housing project that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) had ordered to be demolished.
 
The $45 million, three-phase development is located just north of Downtown St. Louis and is bordered by 7th, Carr, 9th and Dickson streets. The developer on the project is Cochran Redevelopment Partners of St. Louis, MO, working in conjunction with the St. Louis Housing Authority, the City of St. Louis, HUD, the Affordable Housing Commission and the Missouri Housing Development Commission. KAI is the construction manager, general contractor, architect and mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineer on the project.
 
“This project re-energizes the near north side of the city by removing buildings that were an eyesore, and replacing them with a safe, new neighborhood that is the backdoor to the city’s convention center,” said Michael E. Kennedy, CEO of KAI Design & Build.
 
Construction on the $15 million, Phase II is scheduled to begin in June and will include 102 rental units (18 one-bedroom units, 50 two-bedroom units, 23 three-bedroom units, seven four-bedroom units and four five-bedroom units). Phase II will include a total of 72 affordable units. Phase III, the final phase, will include 20 homeownership units. Both phases are scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2009, in addition to two playgrounds, a community meeting space, computer center, secure resident parking area and central courtyard.
 
Phase I, which was completed in June 2007, includes a playground and 20 buildings containing 121 residential units and a management/community facility. Six of the buildings are three-story garden apartments and the remaining buildings are each two-story and contain townhouse units. All of the units in Phase I are occupied.
 

Phase I was completed on schedule despite a severe wind storm that blew over several buildings in the middle of framing and knocked out power across the city. Just as power was being restored at the construction site, an ice storm occurred and delayed power to the development even further.

A portion of the Cambridge Heights development is being constructed by Section 3 businesses and residents. Section 3 residents are public housing residents and/or low-income citizens who have been certified as such by their local housing authority. A Section 3 business is one in which 51 percent of the business is owned by Section 3 residents, or whose current permanent, full-time employees are composed of at least 30 percent of Section 3 residents.
 
KAI is on track to meet its Section 3 participation goal of 10 percent of the total construction cost for Phase II.
 
“We are very proud of our minority business compliance,” said Chris Bowers, KAI project manager. “We understand the need for the employment of public housing residents and their businesses for inclusion in the mixed income community model.”
 
Additionally, Cochran Redevelopment Partners, under a master redevelopment agreement with the St. Louis Housing Authority, will implement a comprehensive Community and Supportive Services (CSS) program that aims to help every eligible Cochran resident to better maximize services and opportunities that might lead to improved economic independence and greater self sufficiency.
 

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