New homes begin to take root at City Center

New Berlin - Site work is nearly complete, and footings and foundations for the first of three lower-income housing buildings are in place at the New Berlin City Center.

Developer MSP Real Estate this week provided an update on the three 34-unit workforce housing buildings that have been the focus of considerable controversy that started in early 2010 and ended last summer with the city's decision to allow the development to proceed.

In between were heated public meetings, two reversals of city support and opposition, and two lawsuits tied to the development now under way off National Avenue near Wilbur Street.

Part of City Center

The residential components are part of the broader development that has become the City Center, a complex that includes retail, restaurant and other commercial properties along National Avenue, Moorland Road and Coffee Road.

Opponents had argued the lower-income housing element doesn't fit the vision for the City Center, which is generally upscale. But two lawsuits - one by MSP in state court and another by federal officials alleging unfair housing opposition - forced the city into deciding whether to engage in a lengthy legal battle or approve the proposal.

The developer will receive tax credits to build the affordable housing for which tenants must meet income guidelines. The affordable housing units will be built as condominiums, but must be rental units, under the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority tax credit rules.

Home-building plan

Work on the three workforce housing buildings will go on simultaneously with construction of a 34-unit senior housing building that is also part of the project.

The first workforce housing building is expected to be finished in July, another in September and the last in November. The senior housing building is expected to be done in August.

The workforce housing buildings will have one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 980 to 1,900 square feet. These units will be operated as affordable rentals with 86 of the 102 units reserved for residents earning no more than 60 percent of the area median income. Fifteen units will be rented for market-rate tenants with no income restrictions. One unit will be reserved for an onsite manager.

Monthly rents will range from $530 to $1,400.

The buildings are being built to "Wisconsin Green Built" standards, according to MSP, and will include high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, energy star rated appliances and LED lighting for the property and parking garage.

A leasing office is expected to open about March 1.

- Jane Ford-Stewart