Community Builders of Kansas City (CBKC) is preparing to close on construction financing for the complete renovation of The Cleveland, the $12.6 million project will combine Mt. Cleveland Heights and Mt. Cleveland Townhomes into one project. The outcomes will include modernization of 80 residential units and the new construction of a community building for resident use, resulting in a full transformation of the property.
In the early 1990s, Swope Parkway Health Center saw need for an urban substance abuse treatment center. The adjacent Mt. Cleveland neighborhood wanted to organize and start neighborhood development planning. In exchange for neighborhood support of the treatment center, Swope Parkway Health Center committed to help revitalize the Mt. Cleveland neighborhood and thus Community Builders of Kansas City was established. Its first task: to eliminate drug houses and build a safe, family-oriented neighborhood. From these simple roots the Mt. Cleveland Initiative was born, having four objectives:
- Integration of health care services and community development activities
- Incorporation of social services into neighborhood revitalization
- Spurring of community-based commercial redevelopment
- Facilitation of community-based residential development
Through 30 years of CBKC cultivation, the 70-acre Mt. Cleveland project has grown to generate over $150 million of investment encompassing much more than the original housing and substance abuse treatment center. Anchored by the 143,000-square-foot, $18 million Swope Health Center facility and a full-service grocery store, the project also includes more than 150,000 square feet of commercial office space, as well as 150,000 square feet of retail space, a child and family development center, credit union, post office and additional stores and services absent in other local urban neighborhoods.
The Cleveland redevelopment combines what has been two separate properties – the original Mt. Cleveland Heights duplexes built in 1997 and Mt. Cleveland Townhomes built in 2004 – into one entity, The Cleveland. CBKC is the developer of the project and will serve as general partner. Its subsidiary EastPointe Realty will manage the property. Funded with 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs), this project offers a range of affordability from 18 Public Housing Authority (PHA) units (serving families at or below 30% of Area Median Income (AMI)) to 54 LIHTC units (serving families at or below 60% AMI) to 8 market rate units (serving all families). This is an example of the type of mixed-income housing development the City of Kansas City, Missouri is seeking. Furthermore, this project is a testament to CBKC’s mission and commitment to the community; some residents have been living at this property for many years and have increased their income over the years. The new project will allow those residents whose income exceeds 60% AMI the opportunity to continue to be a part of this community.
Located at 51st Street and Cleveland Avenue, the property’s units are all three-bedroom ranging in size from 1,039 to 1,276 square feet, each with a single-car attached garage. Renovations will outfit the units with modern appliances and energy-efficient systems, as well as new flooring, bathrooms and kitchens. and the apartments will be priced competitively.
The new community building will provide space for classes, a computer room, exercise room and flexible space where residents can host small meetings or larger gatherings. On-site programming will offer health/wellness initiatives, job searching and career development and youth-oriented activities.
A partnership with the Beta Lambda Educational Institute will provide student services such as mentoring, access to an annual tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and ACT prep classes to eligible residents.
The development and financing team is made up of professionals with extensive experience in multi-family, low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) projects and includes Straub Construction, Rosemann & Associates PC architects, Powell Engineering, EastPointe Realty, LLC, Hardwick Law Firm, Horizon Housing Foundation, LWH Consulting, LLC, RCT Investments, LLC, Raymond James, Sugar Creek Capital, MHDC, the City of Kansas City, Missouri and UMB Bank.
The Cleveland $12.6 million rehabilitation project is just the latest manifestation of CBKC’s mission to change the landscape by promoting equity, access, opportunity and advocacy.