Ground broken for $19.2 million Chatham Square

Out with the old and in with the new was the theme for Wednesday’s groundbreaking on a 19-acre site at Greenbush and Shenandoah in Lafayette as work begins to build the $19.2 million Chatham Square, a new urbanist residential development. 

The old—a 27-building project formerly known as Bridgeway Apartments, now demolished—is being replaced with 32 buildings that will contain 89 rental units; a community center; and 10 single-family homes that will be built along Shenandoah. Chatham Square is a project of Illinois-based Brinshore Development LLC. Rental units will include 16 with one bedroom, 44 two-bedroom, 24 three-bedroom and five four-bedroom.

Construction of the rental properties is expected to be completed by March 2012; the single-family homes by June 2012.

“This is transformation at its finest,” said Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski. “What was once a seriously declining property is going to re-emerge as a new community with abundant amenities, an area where families can enjoy a superior quality of life. City residents are already asking when they can move here, so I know many eyes will be watching our progress.”

Some aspects of the project are supported by part of the nearly $7.8 million in funding the city received from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority to revitalize the Glen Acres and Vinton neighborhoods. In all, the planned new construction and rehabilitation totals nearly $20 million.

“Chatham Square is the flagship of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program, and it is especially pleasing to see this reaching such an important milestone in its development,” said Peter Hunt, program manager. “We are looking to Chatham Square to provide a template for how to revitalize communities hit by foreclosure and blight.”

Peter Levavi, senior vice president of Brinshore, outlined the project. “The rental properties will be constructed to reflect the best of Lafayette architecture, in Queen Anne, Italianate, Craftsman, Four Square and Indiana Traditional styles.”

The 89 rental units will include:

• Five single-story Queen Anne style buildings, each a four-bedroom, two-bath, 1,457-square-foot unit
• Seven two-story Four Square style buildings, each with two three-bedroom, two-bath units, ranging in size from 1,234 square feet to 1,264 square feet
• Eight two-story Indiana Traditional style buildings, each with four apartments—a mix of one-bedroom, one-bath at about 800 square feet, and two-bedroom, one-bath at about 970 square feet
• Five two-story, town-house Craftsman style buildings, each with two three-bedroom, 2.5 bath apartments with about 1,300 square feet of space
• Seven two-story Italianate style buildings, each with four two-bedroom, one-bath units of about 950 square feet. 

Size and layout of the single-family homes are yet to be determined, he said.

“We’re also building a community center with a computer lab, exercise room, community room and offices,” Levavi said. “Outside, we’ll build tennis courts, a tot lot, space for a community garden, and new bus stop.”

Construction manager for the project is Lafayette-headquartered Kettelhut Construction Inc. “Chatham Square is a true community building project, with local subcontractors, local workers and local suppliers,” said Steve Habben, Kettelhut president and chief executive officer. “We owe a special thanks to the Tippecanoe Building Construction Trades for partnering with Kettelhut and our subcontractors to achieve a local building team.”

Architects for the project are Rottman Architects Ind., Indianapolis, and KJG Architecture, West Lafayette. Milestone Contractors of Lafayette is overseeing site development.

The Lafayette Redevelopment Commission is helping facilitate the neighborhood’s transformation. Its actions include property acquisition, public offering, selection of the developer partner, demolition and infrastructure for the new development, as well as other investments in the Glen Acres neighborhood using proceeds from the Consolidated Creasy Tax Increment Financing District.

“The commission members and I are pleased that we can play such an important role in making this project a reality,” said Jos Holman, commission president. “It’s a team effort and a great example of many interests coming together, both public and private, for the betterment of the community.”

Besides Holman, commission members include Mary Lundstrom, Jim Terry, Don Teder and John Thieme Jr.

“Chatham Square will be a great improvement for the area, and the neighborhood is thrilled,” said Bob Downing, city councilman.

He was joined in the ceremonies by neighborhood resident Jerry Parks, who has owned a home on Kensington Drive for 30 years and is a leader in the Glen Acres Neighborhood Association.

“We appreciate the attention the city is giving our neighborhood and encourage everyone to come out and see how our neighborhood is changing,” Parks said. “Neighbors seem to be taking a little more pride in their property and coming together to make it a nicer place to live. We hope the future residents of Chatham Square will join us in the neighborhood association and in keeping Glen Acres safe and clean so the city can be proud of its efforts on our behalf.”

Tim Kraft, planner/project manager for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program for the City of Lafayette, said other city improvements in the Glen Acres and Vinton neighborhoods under the grant include acquiring four homes to be demolished and rebuilt, two by Habitat for Humanity and two by Tippecanoe School Corp. building and trades students, and rehabilitating another seven homes.

“We’re making great progress,” Kraft said. “This is something everyone wants to see succeed, so we have tremendous support and assistance.”

The city also improved the Munger Park linear trail and is repairing streets, curbs and sidewalks in the area.