PLANS CHANGE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT PLANNED FOR HAWTHORNE NEIGHBORHOOD

A few changes in design have been made to a proposal for an affordable housing project along the Mississippi River.

Schafer Richardson is looking to develop the project on a site that is located at 2025 West River Road N. Today the site is currently home to a single-story commercial building that houses Broadway Pizza.

The most recent plans for the building include an updated layout that features three more residential units and a swap in the total amount of parking spaces between the surface and enclosed parking areas.

The new proposal features an “I” shaped building layout versus an irregular “L” shaped layout as previously proposed. In total, the building is now proposed to include 163 residential units that would include one, two and three-bedroom layouts, all of which would be qualify as affordable housing.

One level of underground parking would be included within the building which would have space for 74 vehicles while another 89 surface parking stalls would be located behind the building. In total, 163 parking stalls are proposed within the entire project.

The main entrance to the building would be located at the corner of W Broadway Avenue and West River Road N. Due to a slope in grade, the first level of the building would actually include the main entrance, a multi-purpose room, bike storage room and single level of enclosed, underground parking.

The true, first floor of the building would be located at grade level with the surface parking lot behind the building. Amenities within the first floor would include a library/mezzanine that would feature a focal staircase from the main entrance. In addition, a club room, a fitness center and a yet-to-be-disclosed amenity space would also be included on this level. The second floor of the building would feature 23 residential units and resident storage space while floors three through six each would include 28 residential units.

While some of the biggest design changes from the most recent proposal for the project are on the interior, there is also a significant design change to the exterior of the building. Designed by UrbanWorks Architecture, the exterior of the project is now intended to include a façade that is composed of mostly a concealed fastener metal panel system that has a chevron profile.

Plans for 2025 West River Road N were presented to the Minneapolis Planning Commission Committee of the Whole for feedback last week at their Thursday, May 14th meeting. Plans are anticipated to go before the Minneapolis Planning Commission for approval later this fall.

Work on 2025 West River Road N could begin as soon as winter 2021.