CREJ

September 2019 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \ 41 became law in December 2018. This legis- lation allows for leasing U.S. Forest Service administrative sites and for public/private partnership opportunities for local govern- ments and agencies that support affordable housing. In Keystone, a new multifamily community with a spectrum of affordable rental housing types called Wintergreen is a current example of effective public/private partnership. Located on land owned by Vail with a long-term lease, Win- tergreen is being developed by Gorman & Co. with Summit County as a development partner. Vail is a long-term lessee for a portion of the units. There is Low-Income Housing Tax Credit funding for some of the units and deed restrictions on the remainder of the units, at a higher area median income. Norris Design worked with Gorman to complete a major planned unit development amendment to reallocate density on site and change permitted occupancy to allow workforce occupants from anywhere within Summit County. In urban areas, the NIMBY factor is often a hindrance to po- tential housing development. Sites that are restricted due to surrounding development call for density as a workable strate- gy to enable affordable housing tomake financial sense. While there is more widespread recognition that this is an important community issue, there is an underlying resistance to density. In the right infill locations, density can reduce traffic, pollu- tion, and the impact on roads and transportation. Local retail businesses benefit as well, with an increased local demograph- ic to shop and dine at convenient neighborhood businesses. For urban projects in particular, public outreach can be the bridge to changing the NIMBY perception. • Next-generation solutions. Denver Housing Authority’s Mar- iposa Housing Phase IV was an infill project that has been tre- mendously successful. A mixed-use transit-oriented redevel- opment of South Lincoln Park in Denver, the project includes streetscape design that activates 10th Avenue as it connects to Santa Fe and the art district from the 10th and Osage light-rail station. Mariposa Phase IV replaced aging duplex units with four-story multi-unit buildings that provide efficient density with planned open spaces to reduce its impact. Creative playgrounds for families and an early childhood education center are key elements of a central courtyard. The courtyard incorporates a community greenhouse, gardens and a fitness zone with outdoor exercise equipment. These elements were partially funded by a Colorado Health Foun- dation Grant and the overall project meets Green Enterprise requirements. Part of an overall master planmade up of sever- al different phases, Mariposa IV adds to the diversity of design, housing types and green spaces. This diversity contributes to a more natural evolution of neighborhood, reducing the NIMBY factor and providing a true sense of place and community for residents. • Rewards and challenges. Creating safe places for people to call home is both rewarding and challenging. Affordable hous- ing projects often have extremely tight budgets, but still must be designed well so that people can live in functional, well-de- signed places that enhance their lives and feel like home. For designers, the challenge is to create spaces that people will enjoy and spend time in, juggling budget restrictions and uti- lizing materials commonly required by jurisdictions for plant- ing and landscape. Community food gardens are popular, as are sensory/seasonal connection gardens that provide shade, are low maintenance, drought-tolerant and incorporate non- allergenic materials. Providing relaxing spaces that celebrate a sense of community for the affordable housing communi- ty but connect to the surrounding environment of the larger neighborhood knit new communities into existing communi- ties with outdoor spaces. Making a true difference in people’s lives by addressing a spectrumof housing choices is intensely rewarding. Mixed-in- come communities that allow people to stay within the com- munity as their life situations change over time keeps the community intact while it evolves. Ensuring that there is a variety of home choice, size, type and character is good sense for all communities, whether at market rates or an affordable price point. Making affordable housing a welcome part of ev- ery community is good sense, and great design plays a huge role in making it happen. \\ wbirchler@norris-design.com escott@norris-design.com ELEMENTS Affordable housing The center courtyard contains seating, play areas, community gardens and a totem pole hand-painted by local elementary school students. The streetscape design of Mariposa Phase IV connects to neigh- bors, streets and sidewalks to integrate the development into the larger neighborhood.