LAKEWOOD, COLO.— A vacant 1980s-era office building is closer in its transformation to becoming an affordable home for families.
Metro West Housing Solutions (MWHS), Lakewood’s housing authority, is developing 152 income-qualifying apartments at 5800 W. Alameda Ave. The existing eight-story office tower will hold 54 apartments. An additional 98 apartments will be located in a new four-story tower planned for the large parking lot to the west.
This month, the construction crew “topped off” the new four-story tower, a builder’s rite that means the framing has reached the top and roofing is beginning. Although there is still much work to be done, construction on the first tower is expected to wrap up in September, with the completion of the second tower in December. Overall, the construction project has reached its halfway point.
The property, named Fifty Eight Hundred, will be home to seven studios, 46 one-bedroom, 78 two-bedroom and 21 three-bedroom apartments. A majority of the units will serve residents earning 60 percent of the area median income (AMI), with the remainder serving those who earn between 30 and 50 percent AMI. The wait list for future residents will likely open in April.
The family-focused design includes a courtyard with community gardens and play areas, ample parking, and extensive on-site amenities built into all MWHS properties. A charter high school, elementary school, a sports facilities complex, and the Belmar shopping, dining and entertainment center are nearby.
Funded with the Low Income Housing Tax Credit and various grants, MWHS believes this is an important addition to Lakewood. Not only does the project revitalize a long-vacant office building, it will be a safe and sustainable housing option in an area where the need for affordable housing is increasing.
“We are proud to be a part of the effort to keep Lakewood an affordable place to live and work,” said Tami Fischer, the Executive Director/CEO of MWHS. “We’re also thrilled to turn a disinvested corner of Lakewood into something vibrant and positive for the community.”
