A Stamford housing complex built for World War II veterans is getting rebuilt from the ground up. Oak Park, constructed in the 1940s, is in the middle of a full reconstruction, and the project's second phase is now underway, Connecticut Public reported.
Oak Park was never meant to be permanent housing. It was built so returning veterans would have a place to live with their families. Eighty years later, it's being replaced.
Old and new
The original complex had 166 townhomes in 27 buildings on Ursula Place. When the rebuild is done, the new complex will have 161 units, most of them townhomes, with a handful of apartments in one multifamily building.
Oak Park is fully affordable, according to Connecticut Department of Housing Deputy Commissioner Julian Pierce. "This redevelopment involved replacing outdated buildings with modern, energy-efficient townhomes and multifamily buildings that will serve residents at or below 60% of the area median income," Pierce said.
Families can earn between 25% and 60% of the area median income. In Stamford, that means an annual income of no more than about $82,300 for a family of two, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Connecticut Public reports.
Phase by phase
- Phase one was completed in February and includes 61 units, 35 of them townhomes, according to Karen Coquillon of Charter Oak Communities, Stamford's housing authority.
- Phase two began in August and is still in demolition, with crews removing the existing townhomes. Forty-three units will be built in their place. It's expected to be finished late next year.
- Phase three, the final phase, is set to start shortly after, in early 2028.
The project will cost an estimated $120 million in all. Funding comes from several sources, including Stamford's Affordable Housing Trust Fund, HUD and the state Department of Housing.
A former resident's view
Bianca Shinn-Desras, a member of the Charter Oak Communities Advisory Board, grew up in Oak Park. She said she enjoyed her childhood there, but the apartments often had problems, including mold, mice and poor heating. She now works in public health.
"Where we live profoundly influences how we live," Shinn-Desras said. "Housing is a fundamental social determinant of health."
Pierce thanked residents. "Today is ultimately about them, about ensuring that every family has the foundation they need to thrive," he said.
Why it matters for contractors
Oak Park is a good example of a type of project that's becoming more common: replacing aging public and affordable housing in phases while keeping the community intact. For contractors, phased rebuilds like this mean years of steady work, from demolition to sitework, foundations, framing, energy-efficient building envelopes, MEP and finishes.
Phase two is a good snapshot of how the work flows. Demolition started in August, 43 units go up in their place, and the phase is expected to finish late next year. Then phase three starts in early 2028. A $120 million project spread over several years gives general contractors, subs and suppliers a long runway.
The funding mix matters, too. With money from a local housing trust fund, HUD and the state, projects like this typically come with public funding requirements, so contractors should be ready for the paperwork, reporting and compliance rules that go with them.
The focus on energy efficiency is also worth noting. Pierce described the new buildings as modern and energy-efficient. Contractors with experience in high-performance building envelopes, efficient heating and cooling systems and tight construction will have an edge on these kinds of projects.
Finally, Oak Park shows how long these projects take to come together. The complex served families for about 80 years before its replacement began, and the full rebuild will stretch from phase one, finished in February, to a third phase starting in early 2028. Contractors who want this kind of work should get to know local housing authorities like Charter Oak Communities and the state Department of Housing, since they're the ones planning the next round of rebuilds. Firms that build a track record on phased affordable housing work put themselves in line for the next one.