Demolition begins on former Bridgeway Apartments

Project adopts green construction elements; Chatham Square building to begin spring 2010

Wearing green to emphasize the environmentally sound demolition and new construction practices that will be used as the former Bridgeway apartment site is transformed to a new housing community, Lafayette city officials, project leaders and neighborhood residents gathered on Thursday to mark the beginning of the demolition.

Demolition of the 27 Bridgeway buildings constructed in the mid 1960s on the 19-acre site, which include a community building and 162 apartment units, will be completed by Shroyer Brothers Inc. of Muncie, Ind.

“It’s no secret that this site has seen better days, that it had become a major concern to the city,” said Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski. “That’s why we stepped in to facilitate redevelopment, to make this a safe neighborhood where children and families can thrive.” The city acquired the site in January 2009.

The city and contractors are now incorporating a number of green construction practices in the work, Roswarski said. “The City of Lafayette has made that a top priority in both aspects of this project—what will be done with what you see here today and what will be built to replace it.”

“Waste not, want not. That adage has some meaning today,” said Project Manager Tom Gall of TJ Gall & Associates, who noted that Habitat for Humanity has taken some cabinets and appliances for reuse.

In the demolition phase, about 150,000 square feet of concrete will be recycled, crushed and used as backfill during construction, and some 20,000 square feet of asphalt also will be recycled, as well as metal, wood, plastics and other materials. “When cleanup includes reuse, we’re making significant environmental strides,” Gall said.

Tom Werling, an accredited professional in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) with The Hagerman Group, a construction company with a Lafayette office, also spoke. “I’m working closely with the city of Lafayette to identify opportunities to utilize green practices,” he said. “The project will integrate the principles of smart growth, urbanism and green building for environmentally responsible, sustainable development.” Some elements will include pedestrian-friendly streets, landscaping beyond what’s required and a mix of housing types.

Site work will be completed by Pittsburgh-headquartered Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc., which has offices in Indianapolis.

The new housing, to be known as Chatham Square and to include 10 single-family homes and 92 rental units, will be developed by Illinois-based Brinshore Development LLC. Construction is slated to begin in spring 2010. The first phase of construction is scheduled to be completed in December 2011 and the second in December 2012. The architects for the project are Rottman Architects Ind., Indianapolis, and KJG Architecture, West Lafayette.

“A new day is dawning for this site,” said David Brint, Brinshore chief executive officer. “Brinshore Development is ready to help make the sun shine brightly in the Glen Acres Neighborhood. And we are targeting hiring local contractors for the construction.”

Chatham Square’s green construction features will include Energy Star certification for the rental buildings, LEED-certification for the community building, and highly efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, as well as Energy Star appliances. “In addition, we are building a public bus shelter, community gardens, onsite water retention, bike storage in each unit, and a walking path to connect to Munger Park,” Brint said.

The news was welcome to 17-year neighborhood resident Jennifer Mahoney, whose front door faces the property. “I am here today to say I am thrilled, really thrilled about the plans to redevelop this property,” she said. “We love our home here. We’ve raised two children in this neighborhood. And we’re eager to see revitalization in the Glen Acres area. I’m excited about and more than ready to see these old buildings come down and Chatham Square take shape.”

Neighborhood resident Jerri Parks, who has owned a home on Kensington Drive for 29 years and is a member of the leadership team of the newly organized Glen Acres Neighborhood Association, agreed. “We are excited to see the physical progress being made at this site. It’s nice to see it happen. We really want to be proud of our homes again, and to bring pride back to the Glen Acres neighborhood.”

Glen Acres Elementary School Principal Karen Combs echoed those sentiments. “Bridgeway apartments were once home to many bright, creative children who attended Glen Acres School. While these children and their families brought vitality to our school and neighborhood, the apartment complex itself has seen better times. The time has indeed come to replace it with new homes, ones that will again attract children and families of diverse cultures to our neighborhood and our school.”

Demolition of the former Bridgeway apartments and construction of the new Chatham Square residential development are part of the City of Lafayette’s nearly $20 million project in the Glen Acres neighborhood.

The City has received a $7,774,200 Neighborhood Stabilization Fund grant from the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority to support several neighborhood initiatives, including Chatham Square.

Peter Hunt, Neighborhood Stabilization Program manager, attended the demolition event. “Today is an opportunity to wipe away the blight that has afflicted this area and replace it with new housing fit for the 21^st century,” he said. “The Glen Acres project is the flagship within our program, and this event represents more than just the demolition of old properties. It is the start of a new chapter for this neighborhood and a chance to demonstrate to everyone in Indiana what is possible when you ask for change.”

Other city improvements slated for the neighborhood include rehabbing eight foreclosed homes; demolishing and rebuilding six homes; and providing rehabilitation funding assistance for another 30 owner-occupied homes in the neighborhood. The city also is repairing streets, curbs and sidewalks; improving Munger Park and Glen Acres Elementary School; and building the Munger Park Linear Trail.