Baltimore Affordable Community Reopens After $27M Rehab

A public-private partnership between Enterprise Homes, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and other entities recently announced that The Allendale, a 164-unit affordable housing community, finalized its $27 million rehabilitation. Using the Rental Assistance Demonstration program, all one-bedroom apartments for seniors and adults with disabilities were renovated. The Allendale was redeveloped in collaboration with the Baltimore Affordable Housing Development Inc., architecture firm Marks, Thomas Architects, and Harkins Builders Inc. as contractor. Winn Management LLC now manages the property.

Located at 3600 West Franklin St., The Allendale is less than four miles from downtown Baltimore. The property features 147 units that are 600 square feet each, and 17 units that are each 656 square feet. Built in 1985, the property received limited improvements over the past three decades. Building renovation work included applying coating to prevent water infiltration, as well as installing a new roof and constructing a new canopy over the entry and vestibule. The first-floor common areas were also renovated. New acoustical ceiling tiles were added over the entryway, mail room and offices. Additionally, the community room was expanded to contain a full kitchen. Site renovation included adding a fitness room, reworking some of the concrete sidewalks, adding disabled parking to comply with regulations and landscaping.

The work inside apartments took place in phases. At least 20 percent of the units were held vacant during construction so residents could be relocated within the building, before returning to their previous apartments. Renovations included new flooring, fresh paint, new fan coil units, electrical and plumbing upgrades, and a full kitchen upgrade with new appliances, cabinets and countertops. The building is now fully leased.

The RAD program allows developers to receive city and federal tax breaks in exchange for buying the sites, which is a critical option given the $26 billion dollar backlog of public housing capital improvements. The developers signed agreements guaranteeing to keep the apartments priced for low-income residents. Financing came from the state housing department, Wells Fargo, the Housing Authority and Enterprise Community Investment.

Images courtesy of Harkins Builders Inc.