Next Phases of Northwest Gardens Break Ground in Ft. Lauderdale
Ground has been broken on Phases II and IV at Northwest Gardens in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
By Jeffrey Steele, Contributing Writer
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.—Ground has been broken on Phases II and IV at Northwest Gardens in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The announcement of the start of the $58 million project covering 14.42 acres was made by Carlisle Development Group, based in Miami, and the Housing Authority of the city of Fort Lauderdale.
The two developments will feature 266 affordable apartments in 13 one-, two- and three-story residential buildings. Apartments will range in size from one to five bedrooms and 650 to 1,500 square feet. The project is slated for completion in mid-2014. Phases I and III were completed in 2011 and 2012.
“It is always the right time for more affordable housing, given the vast unmet demand in urban neighborhoods,” Carlisle Development Group CEO Matthew Greer tells MHN. “Northwest Gardens II and IV will cap off a $58 million redevelopment by Carlisle Development Group and the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Lauderdale of the Northwest Neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale. This area has been undergoing a major facelift over the past several years in efforts to create safe, quality, affordable housing for some of the most distressed families in the country.”
The Northwest Neighborhood has the highest unemployment and poverty rates in the region, the highest juvenile crime rates in the state, and some of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS infection among teenagers in the nation, Greer reports.
“Without developments like Northwest Gardens, the community would continue to stagnate, eroding the hopes of hard-working families who desperately want the opportunity to provide a safe and affordable environment in which to raise their children and improve their lives,” he adds.
Northwest Gardens’ first two phases won an array of green building awards, and were designated as the first LEED for Homes (Multifamily) Gold-certified community in Florida. They also comprised the first LEED for Neighborhood Development-certified community in Florida, and fifth in the U.S.
Phases II and IV are positioned to attain LEED Gold status as well. Among energy-efficient features are low-emission paints, adhesives and carpets; water-conserving plumbing fixtures; recycled products; materials from local suppliers; Energy Star rated appliances; and energy-efficient windows. In addition, the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Lauderdale’s shuttle system, offering residents daily public transportation, supports all phases of Northwest Gardens.
What will the completion of Northwest Gardens Phases II and IV mean to residents?
“It will give families the opportunity to better their lives by having the stability of quality, affordable housing,” Greer says. “And with the money saved on rent, they will be able to take care of expenses that they might otherwise not be able to afford, such as health care, quality food and clothing.”
Ten percent of the apartments in Phases II and IV will be designated for residents at 25 percent or less of the Area Median Income (AMI) of $62,600. Ninety percent of the dwellings will be designated for residents at 60 percent or less of AMI. Many of the residents will be seniors and children.
Says Greer: “Northwest Gardens is a beacon of hope for hundreds of hard-working families to better their lives today and in the future.”
