Pinkard Construction tops out $80 million Willoughby Corner in Boulder County

This article originally appeared in the CREJ Real Estate Journal in the May 1 issue.

Pinkard Construction topped out Willoughby Corner, a 400-unit affordable housing development in Boulder County.

The celebration included a catered lunch with a focus on worker appreciation with a raffle for various prizes. In attendance were representatives of owner Boulder County Housing Authority, HB&A Architects, Norris Design, Pinkard Frameworks framing division, Farnsworth Group engineers, Drexel Barrell and other project consultants.

The ceremony celebrates the topping out of Willoughby’s six phase-one buildings, which includes two nine-plex apartment buildings for larger families; two one- and two-bedroom multifamily apartment buildings; an independent senior living building; and a community center. The first homes, 63 affordable Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible apartments for adults aged 55 and over, will be ready for move in by the end of 2024. Each building includes rooftop patios with mountain views, lounges, libraries and meeting space. There are 192 units in phase one.

Pinkard Frameworks framing division played a key role in keeping the project on schedule, with in-depth planning during preconstruction. Frameworks’ focus was saving money for BCHA while maximizing construction efficiencies and avoiding in-field redesigns.

“With Willoughby’s various wall-heights and complicated truss requirements, every single stud had to have a custom cut,” said Dan Harris, Frameworks wood frame manager. Our preconstruction preparations included redlining the floor plans of each wall type and ordering different-length stud materials to reduce waste. The additional cost of field-cutting studs was incorporated into the carpenters’ schedule of values. These proactive preconstruction activities greatly contributed to keeping this project on schedule and in budget.”

The city of Lafayette contributed nearly $1.5 million in fee waivers for the first phases of the project, the $3.1 million purchase of the land and $5.3 million in grants for Willoughby’s water rights. Boulder County Commissioners added nearly $13 million in county and American Rescue Plan Act funds to ensure Willoughby Corner will delivery much-needed affordable housing to the community. Total development and construction costs for Willoughby Corner are currently $114 million.

Willoughby Corner’s affordable homes are expected to serve generations of families, individuals, older adults and the workforce earning at or below 60% of the area median income.