Naomi’s Way, a 12-unit shelter in New Brunswick, N.J., had been providing transitional housing for special-needs single homeless women and their children.
About a year ago, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, N.J., which operates Naomi’s Way, decided to convert the building to permanent housing. But it only had about $100,000 for much-needed renovations, and its initial plan was limited to redoing the kitchens in each apartment and making other, cosmetic changes, like replacing sliding closet doors with doors that swung open.
All-Phase Consulting Services, a general contractor in Perth Amboy, N.J., was hired to do most of that work.
Then the scope of the project broadened dramatically, thanks to the involvement of American Standard, the plumbing brand of Lixil, whose corporate headquarters is in nearby Piscataway, N.J.
American Standard donated in excess of $100,000 in products—including faucets, fixtures, and vanities—and remodeling costs, which allowed Catholic Charities to gut and redo each apartment’s bathroom. Then Philips, based in Somerset, N.J., donated all of the LED light fixtures. Leviton, which is based in Melville, N.Y., donated the switch/light outlet covers and AFCI outlets.
Fifty-five employees from American Standard and Philips volunteered to paint the apartments over a five-day period. Sherwin-Williams’ retail store in North Brunswick, N.J. donated the paint.
This corporate largesse “kind of turned this into a full-building renovation,” says Richard Matarangelo, Catholic Charities’ Facilities Maintenance Manager, who is supervising this project. He was able to replace the windows in the bathrooms with energy efficient windows with frosted glass, supplied by Silver Line Building Products, which is based in North Brunswick Township, N.J.
Richard Matarangelo, facilities maintenance manager for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, N.J., who is supervising the renovation of Naomi's Way to become permanent affordable housing. Image: BD+C
During the renovation, some residents who had been living at Naomi’s Way were relocated to one of Catholic Charities’ other shelter. (Statewide, Catholic Charities operates about 30 buildings with around 100 apartments.)
Naomi’s Way’s renovation is scheduled for completion on July 1.
Each apartment is getting new kitchen cabinets, faucets, and sinks. Some will also get new appliances. Image: BD+C
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Feb 18, 2015
Commercial real estate developers optimistic, but concerned about taxes, jobs outlook
The outlook for the commercial real estate industry remains strong despite growing concerns over sluggish job creation and higher taxes, according to a new survey of commercial real estate professionals by NAIOP.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 17, 2015
NYC multifamily sales increased by 39% in 2014
For New York City as a whole, $20 million-plus deals accounted for more than half of all transactions.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 17, 2015
California launches pilot program to finance multifamily retrofits for energy efficiency
The Obama Administration and the state of California are teaming with the Chicago-based MacArthur Foundation on a pilot program whose goal is to unlock Property-Assessed Clean Energy financing for multifamily housing.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 17, 2015
Young Millennials likely to return home
Ninety percent of individuals born between 1980 and 1984 and who hold a Bachelor’s degree left home before they were 27 years hold. However, half of this group later returned to their parents’ home, according to a study by the National Longitudinal Study of Youth.
High-rise Construction | Feb 17, 2015
Work begins on Bjarke Ingels' pixelated tower in Calgary
Construction on Calgary’s newest skyscraper, the 66-story Telus Sky Tower, recently broke ground.
Mixed-Use | Feb 13, 2015
First Look: Sacramento Planning Commission approves mixed-use tower by the new Kings arena
The project, named Downtown Plaza Tower, will have 16 stories and will include a public lobby, retail and office space, 250 hotel rooms, and residences at the top of the tower.
Codes and Standards | Feb 12, 2015
New Appraisal Institute form aids in analysis of green commercial building features
The Institute’s Commercial Green and Energy Efficient Addendum offers a communication tool that lenders can use as part of the scope of work.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 9, 2015
GSEs and their lenders were active on the multifamily front in 2014
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securitized more than $57 billion for 850,000-plus units.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 6, 2015
Fannie Mae to offer lower interest rates to LEED-certified multifamily properties
For certified properties, Fannie Mae is now granting a 10 basis point reduction in the interest rate of a multifamily refinance, acquisition, or supplemental mortgage loan.
Cultural Facilities | Feb 5, 2015
5 developments selected as 'best in urban placemaking'
Falls Park on the Reedy in Greenville, S.C., and the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Downtown Market are among the finalists for the 2015 Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence.