Representatives from the Adams County Community & Economic Development Department (CED) helped celebrate the grand re-opening of the Greenleaf Apartments complex on Beeler Street in an unincorporated area of the county near Aurora on Thursday, Nov. 17.
CED Director Norman Wright spoke to the small gathering that turned out for the ceremony on a chilly, snowy morning. “The fact that we can preserve this great housing, this great service, for individuals that need it is so important because it was the probably the greatest needed affordable housing for this entire area,” said Wright. Joelle Greenland, community development manager, and Melissa Scheere, grants technician, also attended on behalf of Adams County.
Greenleaf Apartments is a 55-unit complex that is home to primarily Burmese and Nepalese families. The renovation of the complex was a collaboration between Adams County, the City of Aurora, the Colorado Division of Housing, jv DeSousa Architects, iCast, Case Forensics, Gilmore Construction, and Archway Housing, which owns the property. Adams County provided $400,000 in Certified Housing and Development Organization funds to assist in the renovation. The total cost of just under $1 million went toward replacing structurally unsound stairs and improving the complex’s exterior to create a safer and more pleasant living space for residents.
“We had to relocate 55 families in phases (during the renovation) because it was a huge undertaking,” said Greenland. “And now we see the faces that we saw earlier this year, and they’re really happy and in an environment that is going to create decent, safe, and sanitary housing for a minimum of 20 years. So we’re really excited. It is all worth it.”
