Florida International University
Construction started June 23 on an affordable housing complex in Brownsville that eventually will add 467 apartments for families and seniors to the Liberty City community.
The project at 5200 NW 27th Ave., adjacent to the Brownsville Metrorail station, is the second affordable housing project to break ground last month in the neighborhood.
Dubbed the Brownsville Transit Village, the $100 million project will be built by Carlisle Development Group, one of the largest affordable housing developers in the country.
Ground was broken earlier last month at 1400 NW 54th St. for the Barbara Carey Shuler Manor Apartments. The project is being developed by Carrfour Supportive Housing, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing permanent housing and supportive services to the county’s homeless.
The $28 million Shuler Manor is funded by stimulus dollars, along with money from the county and state. It will be completed in 12 to 18 months, and will comprise 50 affordable units and 50 units for formerly homeless people.
Construction on the Brownsville project begins seven years after it was proposed by then-County Commissioner Shuler.
“I am finishing what she started. We are changing the face of this community while keeping its identity intact,” said Commissioner Audrey Edmonson, who replaced Shuler on the dais.
The 5.8-acre Brownsville project will consist of mid- and high-rise buildings to be built in five phases. Each phase will include a community center, computer lab and exercise room. Also proposed is Zipcar, a revolutionary vehicle sharing program that will allow residents to rent vehicles for as little as several hours.
The project is expected to generate some 1,900 jobs.
A one-bedroom apartment will rent for between $319 and $660, depending on the tenant’s income. Two-bedroom units will be between $374 and $784 and three-bedrooms will cost between $404 and $877.
Partial funding for the project, which will meet LEED environmental certification standards, comes from the federal economic stimulus program, as well as Miami-Dade County. The project will also include high-efficiency lighting, solar- powered common area lighting and tankless water heaters.
WSimp001@Fiu.edu
Photo: Brownsville Village rendering
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