Woda Cooper Cos. and Project for Pride in Living (PPL) are co-developing a 46-unit affordable housing community in the North Loop neighborhood of downtown Minneapolis.
To help fund the project, Minnesota Housing awarded $967,549 in housing tax credits for Shelby Commons, which will be Woda Cooper Cos.’ first development in the state.
The four-story development will feature 11 one-bedroom units each with one bathroom; 23 two-bedroom units each with 1.5 bathrooms; and 12 three-bedroom units each with two bathrooms. The homes will feature fully equipped kitchens with Energy Star appliances, including dishwashers. In addition to the spacious apartments, the community will provide underground parking, a community room, laundry facilities, and a full lobby. Planned outdoor spaces include a playground and community gardens.
Apartments will be available to residents with a mix of incomes ranging between 30% and 80% of the area median income. The Minnesota Public Housing Authority has committed 12 project-based vouchers for rental assistance.
In addition to Woda Cooper Cos.’ management office, PPL will maintain an on-site office and provide residential supportive services, including assistance to residents in the seven units set aside for high-priority persons who experienced homelessness and the five units set aside for persons with disabilities.
“PPL is excited to partner with Woda Cooper to expand the availability of affordable housing units in such a dynamic location near transit, jobs, and services,” said Mike LaFave, senior vice president of housing stability at PPL. “We look forward to getting this development started, and value the commitment from Minnesota Housing to this important work in our community.”
Woda Cooper Cos. also expressed excitement about the next step. “We are very proud Minnesota Housing has allocated federal low-income housing tax credits to support the development of Shelby Commons and add much-needed affordable housing with options for seamless supportive services in downtown Minneapolis,” said David Cooper Jr., managing director of the firm.
Architects are CRW Architecture and Design Group of Rochester, Minnesota, and BKV Group of Minneapolis. The general contractor is Kelly Construction and Design of Chicago.
