Indy Developer Teaming with Local Nonprofit on Riverfront Affordable Housing Proposal

By Kevin Collison

Flaherty & Collins, the developer of the $72 million Union Berkley Riverfront apartment project, is teaming with a local nonprofit on a proposal to build a 124-unit affordable housing development next door.

The Indianapolis-based developer is working with Twelfth Street Heritage Development Corp. on the proposed $22 million Heritage Lofts project at 601 Berkley Parkway.

The development team is seeking low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC) from the Missouri Housing Development Commission.

“One of the things we’re proud of is that we do high-end, luxury projects but we’re also focused on affordable housing,” said Drew Rosenbarger of Flaherty & Collins.

“The long-term trend is more cities are looking for developers who can do both.”

The Heritage Lofts proposal is one of two affordable housing projects seeking LIHTC assistance from the state affordable housing agency.

The other is EPEC, which is proposing a 45-unit riverfront project that would include 40 affordable units. The applicant, Natasha Kirsch, founder of EPEC, which stands for Empowering the Parent to Empower Children, could not be reached for comment.

The Yards apartments in the West Bottoms were developed by Flaherty & Collins.

The Heritage Lofts proposal would not only include affordable apartments, but an approximately 1,000 square-foot space dedicated to helping residents find jobs and receive social services, said Dwayne Williams, president and CEO of Twelfth Street Heritage.

“One thing that’s important for work force development is a room dedicated to education and computer use for the residents to access technology,” he said.

Rosenbarger said his firm, which also recently completed the first phase of The Yards apartment project in the West Bottoms, likes partnering with local organizations on its affordable housing deals.

“It’s important for us to have local involvement as much as possible,” he said. “It builds peoples’ confidence that we’re not just some out-of-town developer coming through the community.”

Twelfth Street has had extensive redevelopment experience on the East Side including the commercial development around 12th and Brooklyn.

The four-story Heritage Loft building would be designed by KEM Studio, the same firm that designed O’Flaherty’s other two projects in Kansas City, the Union and Yards. It also would include a fitness room and community space for residents.

Flaherty & Collins developed the Union Berkley Riverfront apartments in 2018 on property owned by Port KC.

Rosenbarger said the state’s recent decision to revive the LIHTC program, which had been shut down for three years, was essential to making the proposal work financially.

“We wouldn’t be able to make this project pencil without the state credit match,” he said.

The developer is seeking $565,585 from the state program and $808,240 from a similar federal affordable housing tax credit program. Plans call for 29 studio units with rents from $693-$844; 64 one-bedroom, $737-$898, and 31 two-bedroom, $1,070 per month.

The Heritage Lofts developers also will be seeking tax incentives from PortKC, the owner of the property where the project is proposed.

EPEC is seeking $483,000 in state LIHTC assistance and $690,000 from the federal program, according to its MHDC application. Plans call for eight, one-bedroom units, $295-$895 per month; 33 two-bed, $305-$1,058, and four, three-bed, $333-$1,430.

The developers expect to hear whether their applications are accepted this winter.

If successful, Rosenbarger said construction would likely begin next summer or early fall, with completion in 22 months. Both the proposed Heritage Lofts and EPEC Apartment projects would be served by the planned extension of the streetcar to the riverfront.

“We think it will be a terrific location to meet the needs of our community,” Williams said.