Milender White, Rivet Development Partners LLC & Pennrose LLC have teamed up with Shears Adkins Rockmore Architects to build affordable housing in Denargo Market, a neighborhood just north of Coors Field in downtown Denver. The five-story, 45,517 square-foot apartment building, located at 2700 Wewatta Way, will provide permanently affordable housing units for transition-age youths ages 18-25 years old. The community will provide an opportunity for this age group to move out of poverty and instability due to trauma and homelessness and into an adult life filled with support and the possibility for social enterprise and growth.
The construction type is wood-frame over concrete podium utilizing prefabricated wood wall panels built off-site by Milender White. The project will provide 56 one and two-bedroom units as well as common residential amenity spaces, a social enterprise retail space, and only six surface parking stalls taking advantage of Denver’s new urban parking requirements.
The project received LIHTC approval in November 2021 and construction began in January 2023. One unique challenge for this project is the site conditions. The site was a former landfill site so the team needed to address contamination and unsuitable soils concerns. The team is resolving concerns by using a special foundation system (grout injected piers) to stabilize the soils to minimize excavation and haul off. another challenge is the location and size of the site. It is a small property with a large city owned retaining wall on the east (for Broadway) and the railroad property behind limitiing access solely from the street. Despite the smaller size of the project the team needs a tight logistic plan to manage on such a small site. All teams are excited to continue to innovate and strategize for the opportunity to make a positive and lasting impact on this age group and vulnerable population that will benefit from the completed project in 2024.