Owner Satisfaction
The Bryan Construction Inc. team played a crucial role in collaborating closely with the ownership and its representatives. Weekly owner-architect-contractor meetings and consistent site visits were pivotal in maintaining open lines of communication and building trust. This transparency fostered a collaborative atmosphere, allowing the BCI team to effectively manage expectations and address concerns proactively. The ownership group, Jefferson Center of Mental Health and the owner’s representative, Dominium Group, expressed high satisfaction with the project’s direction, especially regarding the quality and acceptance of the units and the common spaces during and after the final punch list.
Innovative Technology
Powered by 208 solar panels, the building generates an impressive 91% of its energy from solar power. This commitment not only helps reduce Solid Ground’s environmental impact but also aligns with the goals of the 2020 Enterprise Green Communities Program, ensuring BCI and our partners create a sustainable and healthier future for everyone.
What Makes This Project Stand Out
This facility, operated by the Jefferson Center for Mental Health, follows a Housing First approach. This is the first full permanent supportive housing project in the Jefferson County community. The approach is based on the belief that individuals need basic necessities, such as food and stable housing, before they can effectively address other issues like employment, budgeting or substance abuse. Additionally, Solid Ground will provide tenants with easier access to comprehensive coordinated services aimed at treating mental illness, substance abuse and addiction.
By eliminating barriers to access, the project ensures residents receive the necessary support to thrive in their new homes. Funding for the development was secured through Low- Income Housing Tax Credits, which highlights the project’s commitment to affordability and community welfare.
How This Project Will Serve the Community
The project encompasses several social, economic and sustainable aspects that significantly benefit the community and its intended users.
Social Aspects
The permanent supportive housing initiative aims to provide a stable living environment for individuals who may otherwise be homeless. By following a “house them first” approach, the project prioritizes shelter as a fundamental step, allowing residents to focus on additional support services. The presence of on-site therapists and case managers fosters a supportive community, empowering residents to develop essential skills necessary for long-term success. The on-site food pantry and assistance with program sign-ups provide essential support, further contributing to residents’ well-being.
Economic Aspects
The project leverages funding through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, illustrating a strong economic model for addressing housing needs. By collaborating with experienced consultants like Dominium and BeauxSimone, the project ensures a well-structured approach to development and funding. With a focus on low-barrier housing, the initiative increases accessibility for low-income individuals, allowing this location to serve as a long-term home for many.
Sustainable Aspects
While the project is not categorized as a LEED project, it incorporates several sustainable features. Higher-efficiency HVAC units with elevated filter standards comply with some LEED guidelines, promoting better indoor air quality. Additionally, the project emphasizes recycling materials in construction, contributing to sustainability efforts and lessening environmental impact.
Overall, this project plays a crucial role in addressing homelessness and enhancing community safety by providing stable housing, which is expected to reduce crime rates. In addition to improving individual lives, it also enriches the community’s social fabric by fostering allyship and support from local organizations, ensuring a holistic approach to community development.
Innovative Safety Programs
A near zero lot line presented several hurdles, particularly regarding construction logistics and coordination. One of the primary difficulties was the limited working space on-site, which complicated the setup and movement of equipment. The tightness often requires meticulous planning of key construction events to ensure that tasks are completed efficiently and safely without encroaching on adjacent properties.
Additionally, with a busy street located in front of the project site and residential neighborhoods behind, traffic management was of critical concern. Deliveries and the movement of construction vehicles had to be carefully scheduled to avoid congestion and minimize disruption. This situation necessitated clear communication with local authorities, residents, and contractors to ensure everyone was on the same page and that safety measures were adhered to.
The initial safety plan included comprehensive information about entrances, the job site trailer and the crane location for framing, all essential for ensuring smooth logistics. The site superintendent regularly updated these plans, particularly during safety meetings with subcontractors, highlighting the importance of ongoing communication. This proactive safety approach improved awareness and enabled effective real-time problem solving, ensuring consistent adherence to safety measures despite project constraints.
Given the area’s demographics and the potential presence of homeless individuals settling into the space, BCI prioritized close communication with local police. BCI met with law enforcement multiple times to discuss our safety concerns and to ensure the well-being of our team members and the project. The project itself is designed to help alleviate the homeless problem in this area, but it was crucial that the team have adequate police support to maintain safety and security throughout the process.
Critical Project Partners
The following organizations were critical to achieving the project’s objectives:
- Dominium – Offered pro bono development services towards the construction of the community as part of its philanthropic arm Dominium Gives. It also acted as the Development Consultant and Owner’s Representative.
- BeauxSimone Consulting – Served as the Colorado permanent supportive housing consultant.
- Jefferson Center for Mental Health – A nonprofit that has a long and successful history of supporting at-risk community members in the Denver area. They played a key role in drafting the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit application, which was essential for securing funding. The LIHTC program provides 9% tax credits to help finance the project.
- Colorado Housing and Finance Authority – Facilitated access to the LIHTC program.
- Colorado Department of Local Affairs’ Division of Housing – Committed to providing 15 years of ongoing funding for supportive services.
- Development and Financing Partners – This group includes ANB Bank, the city of Lakewood, Foothills Regional Housing, the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, American Express, Enterprise Housing Credit Investments, Bryan Construction, Winthrop & Weinstine, Ebersoldt + Associates Architects, Metro West Housing Solutions and Fidelity National Title.
Recognized as Top Project
ColoradoBiz Top Projects honors the best building and construction projects in Colorado named Solid Ground a Top Project.
