GRAND FORKS, N.D. — Marcus & Millichap has arranged the sale of The Current, a 40-unit affordable housing community in Grand Forks. The sales price was undisclosed. Built in 2007, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credits property features 15 one-bedroom units and 25 two-bedroom units. Matthew Whiteside of Marcus & Millichap represented the seller, MDI Limited Partnership #110, and procured the buyer, Kemo Sabe Properties LLC.
By Jason Penighetti, Esq., and Carol Rizzo, Esq. of Forchelli Deegan Terrana Together with high rent and exorbitant property values, the real property taxes that fund necessary services in New York State make housing affordability a significant concern for low- and middle-income residents. To ensure a sufficient supply of affordable housing, the state must address the ad valorem levy, whereby taxes are derived from a property’s market value. This article examines the critical interplay between New York’s property tax policies and housing affordability. While some taxing mechanisms hinder the development and availability of affordable housing, adjustments and a few additions to those practices have the potential to promote the affordable sector. Exemptions, Incentives New York’s real property tax system supports a complex framework of entities that rely significantly upon property tax levies to generate revenue and fund their budgets. Property taxes, assessed at the local level, support essential services such as public schools, police departments, libraries, highways, fire districts, open space preservation, out-of-county college tuition and the New York State Metropolitan Transportation Authority, among others. To encourage the development of affordable housing and ease the burden that real property taxes can impose on developers and owners in the sector, New …
CINCINNATI — Pennrose and Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation have opened Phase I of Thatcher Flats, a $27 million redevelopment project to transform a full city block in Cincinnati’s Walnut Hills neighborhood into 86 mixed-income rental units. The development team has also commenced construction on Phase II. The first phase consists of 50 affordable housing units across two buildings utilizing 9 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). The $15.2 million development offers a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units for residents who earn 30 to 60 percent of the area median income — roughly $20,070 to $40,140 for a one-person household. Residents of both phases will have access to the community amenities in Phase I, including a community room, laundry facilities, fitness center and parking. The name Thatcher Flats was inspired by the history of the Lincoln Avenue Business district, which in the late-1800s and through the mid-1900s was a thriving African American business district. In 1933, Ernest and Georgia Thatcher, an entrepreneurial African American couple, moved to Cincinnati and created Thatcher’s Fish and Poultry on what is now Thatcher Flats. In addition to the LIHTC financing for Phase I, the project received funding from the City of Cincinnati and …
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Woda Cooper Cos. Inc. has broken ground on Juniper Crossing, an affordable seniors housing community that will be built in two phases in Columbus. Phase I will provide 44 units for residents who earn between 30 and 70 percent of the area median income (AMI), while Phase II will offer 37 units for those who earn up to 60 percent AMI. Amenities will include a multipurpose community room, fitness center, parcel room, laundry facility, lounge room, activity room and picnic area. The property is expected to be certified LEED Silver. The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) allocated federal housing tax credits for both phases of the project, and new state credits for Phase II. OHFA also provided the first mortgage for Phase I. Merchants Capital invested in the federal and state tax credits for both phases in exchange for equity financing. Its affiliate, Merchants Bank of Indiana, is the construction lender. Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust provided a permanent first mortgage for Phase II. The City of Columbus approved a 15-year tax abatement on 100 percent of the value for both phases. The city also provided gap financing toward permanent debt, including a HOME loan for soft …
HAMPTON AND NEWPORT NEWS, VA. — Berkadia has arranged the sale of three multifamily properties located in Virginia’s Hampton Roads region — Abbington at Hampton Center and Abbington at Northampton in Hampton and Abbington Landing in Newport News. Together, the properties total 1,461 units. A majority of the units at the properties are designated for residents earning up to 80 percent of the area median income (AMI). Richmond-based Weinstein Properties sold the communities for an undisclosed price. Drew White, Carter Wood and Cole Carns of Berkadia represented Weinstein in the transaction. Richord Levine of Berkadia secured Freddie Mac acquisition financing on behalf of the buyer, Bethesda, Md.-based Acento Real Estate Partners.
AUSTIN, TEXAS — Merchants Capital has provided debt and equity financing for Travis Park Apartments, a 199-unit affordable housing complex in south-central Austin. The sponsor, Sena Affordable Communities, will use the proceeds to acquire and rehabilitate the property, which comprises 22 buildings. Merchants provided a $69.1 million Freddie Mac 4 Percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Immediate TEL loan and $37.6 million in LIHTC equity as the syndicator, as well as a $29 million equity bridge loan for the rehabilitation period. Renovations are expected to take about 18 months to complete and will include the addition of new outdoor recreation areas and playgrounds; accessibility upgrades; window replacement; new boiler and cooling towers; kitchen and bathroom improvements; new energy star appliances; replacement of original fan coil units for heating and cooling; building envelope upgrades; and roof replacement and new signage. Michael Milazzo led the transaction for Merchants Capital.
SAN ANTONIO — Dallas-based developer Palladium USA has broken ground on a $79 million, 321-unit mixed-income multifamily project in San Antonio. Palladium Old FM 471 will be located on an 11-acre site on the city’s west side and will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom units that will be reserved for households earning between 30 and 80 percent of the area median income. Amenities will include a pool, fitness center, conference room, dog park, business center and a children’s playroom. Cross Architects is designing the project, and Brownstone Group is serving as the general contractor. HPA Design Group is handling interior design. Palladium is developing the project in partnership with the Bexar Management Development Corp. PNC Bank provided $32 million of equity and more than $35 million in long-term debt to the development team, and Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs issued $36 million in tax-exempt bonds to finance the project. Preleasing is scheduled to begin next fall.
ANN ARBOR, MICH. — The Annex Group has unveiled plans to build Union at A2, an $82 million affordable housing community in Ann Arbor. The 250-unit development will include one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans for residents who earn at or below 70 percent of the area median income. Amenities will include a community center, bike storage, fitness center, outdoor picnic area and playground. Partners on the project include BKV Group, Midwestern Consulting and the City of Ann Arbor. Michigan State Housing Development Authority provided $35 million in permanent mortgage dollars and $15 million of soft debt, Grow America provided $22.5 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits equity and Ann Arbor Housing Commission provided $3 million of soft debt. An official groundbreaking will be announced in the coming days. Completion is slated for fall 2026. The project marks Annex Group’s third community in Michigan.
RIFLE, COLO. — Chicago-based Evergreen Real Estate Group has commenced construction on Rifle Apartments, an income-restricted apartment community in Rifle, a city in western Colorado along I-70. Filling a vacant 4.7-acre site at 115, 123 and 131 Park Ave., Rifle Apartments will be the first family-oriented Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) project built in Rifle over the past 20 years. Slated for completion for fall 2025, Rifle Apartments will offer 30 one-bedroom units, 20 two-bedroom units and 10 three-bedroom units spread across three three-story buildings. The apartments are reserved for households earning between 30 percent and 80 percent of the area median income (AMI). Of the 60 total apartments, 14 will be set aside as project-based voucher units for families who are at or below 30 percent AMI. Homes will feature open layouts with market-comparable finishes, including vinyl plank flooring, LED lighting, full kitchens with Energy Star-rate appliances, baths with step-in showers and low-flow plumbing fixtures and in-unit laundry. Onsite amenities will include a community room, fitness room, storage lockers and abundant green space that includes a playground. Additionally, the property will offer 115 free parking spaces, including electric vehicle charging stations. Designed by ej architecture, Rifle Apartments will be …
NEW YORK CITY — A joint venture between development and investment firm Olshan Properties and New York City-based O’Connor Capital Partners has completed Parkchester Gardens, a 221-unit affordable senior living project in The Bronx. Units are reserved for renters earning 50 percent or less of the area median income. Wells Fargo financed the project in conjunction with the New York City Housing Development Corp. and the Department of Housing Preservation & Development. Construction began in spring 2021.
