Brighton will get 60 new units of affordable housing and commercial development based on a Brighton Housing Authority plan.
The housing authority announced it had accepted a bid from MGL partners as co-developers of the Adams Point project. Plans call for the project, with 60 units of affordable housing, to go up on a 7.38 acre Adams County-owned parcel at 1931 E. Bridge St. That's the former site of the County courthouse, before it moved to 1100 Judicial Drive in Brighton, about three miles southeast.
Bristol said they are in the very beginning stages and still trying to figure out exactly how many units for each phase because it may be a multiple-phase project, said Debra Bristol, executive director of the Brighton Housing Authority.
"Building housing is expensive and because they are still going through the process and planning they do not have a cost as if yet," Bristol said.
"We got a co-developer on at the end of last year and have been working with us to get through the official donation process and this property is officially now owned by Brighton Housing Authority."
County officials were pleased to see new construction.
"Affordable housing is the foundation that enables people to support their families and contribute to economies," County Commissioner Steve O'Dorisio said. "Fair and affordable housing should be a basic right, and that's why it was crucial for Adams County to donate this piece of property. It's transactions and housing developments such as this that move us forward in the right direction."
The commissioners approved donating the piece of land at Bridge Street to build the Adams Point housing project.
Bristol said, they are moving forward to the next pre-development phase looking for professionals to help start that conceptual design process determining the scope and the size of the project focusing on seniors, and families as while as a development team.
"We are excited about moving forward, we have land to develop on, it’s a community engagement process and looking at what the community needs are and making sure the project meets those community needs," Bristol said.
The housing authority manages about 500 affordable housing units developed within ten years. The authority began taking bids on the Adams Point project in July 2022 and received four bids. Those were reviewed in October, with MGL Partners getting the contract.
Housing authority officials said that the company has a good reputation in the industry and qualifications were ranked the highest of all the bids received to meet its project mapped-out criteria plan within the housing authority bid packet.
"We're happy to be working with Adams County and MGL Partners on this project," said Debra Bristol, executive director of the authority. "BHA's success in managing and co-developing housing projects is a demonstration of our Authority's ability to optimize funds effectively and efficiently. We look forward to adding Adams Point to our development portfolio of affordable housing in Brighton."
The Brighton Housing Authority increased affordable housing from 16 units to 500 since 2012, awarding tax credits and grants. As of today, the housing authority awarded five rounds of tax credits for building Brighton Village I/II, Libretto I/II, and Windmill Ranch affordable housing, according to officials.
