Pinkard Construction, a leading Colorado affordable housing contractor, recently celebrated the topping out of Willoughby Corner, a 400-unit affordable housing development in Boulder County.
The celebration included a catered lunch with a focus on worker appreciation with a raffle for various prizes. In attendance were representatives of owner Boulder County Housing Authority (BCHA), HB&A Architects, Norris Design, Pinkard Frameworks framing division, Farnsworth Group engineers, Drexel Barrell, and other project consultants.
The ceremony celebrates the topping-out of Willoughby’s six phase-one buildings. Phase one includes two nine-plex apartment buildings for larger families, two one- and two-bedroom multifamily apartment buildings, an independent senior living building, and a community center. The first homes, 63 affordable ADA-accessible apartments for adults aged 55 and over, will be ready for move-in by the end of 2024. Each building includes rooftop patios with mountain views, lounges, libraries, and meeting space. There are 192 units in phase one.
BCHA Development Director Molly Chiang: “I’m so proud of the team and their high-quality work to get us framed out. Pinkard and the subs have made such amazing progress despite crazy snowstorms this past season. We are excited to top out today and move into spring!”
Pinkard Frameworks framing division played a key role in keeping the project on schedule, with in-depth planning during preconstruction. Frameworks’ focus was saving money for BCHA while maximizing construction efficiencies and avoiding in-field redesigns.
Frameworks Wood Frame Manager Dan Harris: “With Willoughby’s various wall-heights and complicated truss requirements, every single stud had to have a custom cut. Our preconstruction preparations included redlining the floor plans of each wall type and ordering different-length stud materials to reduce waste. The additional cost of field-cutting studs was incorporated into the carpenters’ schedule of values. These proactive preconstruction activities greatly contributed to keeping this project on schedule and in budget.”
The project is made possible through the City of Lafayette’s financial support with nearly $1.5 million in fee waivers for the first phases of the project, the $3.1 million purchase of the land, and $5.3 million in grants for Willoughby’s water rights. Willoughby Corner is also possible thanks to Boulder County Commissioners’ contributions. Commissioners have added nearly $13 million in county and American Rescue Plan Act funds to ensure Willoughby Corner will delivery much-needed affordable housing to the community. Total development and construction costs for Willoughby Corner are currently $114 million.
Willoughby Corner’s affordable homes are expected to serve generations of families, individuals, older adults, and the workforce earning at or below 60 percent of the area median income (AMI).
