Welcome Home: Norwalk's River Commons Apartment Building Rehabilitation Complete

“The two most beautiful words in the English language are Welcome Home,” said State Rep. Lawrence Cafero on Wednesday afternoon while Public officials gathered with community residents, business leaders and representatives of Cross River Preservation Associates, LP to celebrate the re-opening of the River Commons Apartment building. 

The building was originally put into service in the early 1990’s.  Located at 15 School Street, River Commons consists of 34 one and two-bedroom units and ground floor commercial space, all contained in a four-story building.

“Preservation is a key component of the States commitment to housing by coordinating our efforts of rehabilitating existing developments, we will revitalize neighborhoods and build livable, economically strong communities where infrastructure and transportation networks already exist. The end result will be jobs, tax revenue and affordable housing were they are all desperately needed,” stated Evonne Klein, Commissioner of CT Department of Housing.

 Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman toured the rehabilitated building, which has been brought back to life after extensive repairs to both the building exterior and interior, complete with cutting edge solar panels. "This is a project that is really what it's all about right now in Connecticut," Wyman said in a release. "If we want to move forward with creating jobs, we have to pay attention to affordable housing as well."

According to a release from JHM Group, John McClutchy Jr. of the real estate development firm located in Stamford, CT approached the city of Norwalk with interest in rehabilitating this property. 

River Commons now features a well-appointed community room, a state-of-the-art fitness facility, laundry facility, a resident computer center and on site management office. 

“Affordable housing provides quality homes in quality neighborhoods. It’s not about just the brick and mortar but the community and how we better serve it," said McClutchy. 

River Commons offers high efficiency, individually controlled heating and cooling systems inside each apartment, ENERGY STAR lighting, windows and appliances as well as low flow plumbing fixtures.  

All 34 units will be affordable (LIHTC-eligible) with six units available to households whose income is less than 50% of Area Median Income (AMI) and 28 units available to households whose income is less than 60% of AMI.

“Building more affordable rental housing in our City has been one of highest priorities. This development is a fine example of what can be accomplished with great partnerships,” stated Mayor Moccia in the release, who wrote a letter in support of this project in 2012.

Resident Dorothy Greene assisted in the ribbon cutting, a Norwalk native who lived in the building prior to the rehabilitation has since moved back in, “I love it. They did a wonderful job," Greene said.

Development and funding was for this project was provided by JHM Group of Companies, Richman Group of Companies, as well as several public and private funding sources that consist of the Connecticut Finance Housing Authority, Department of Economic & Community Development, and Connecticut Department of Housing.

General Contracting services provided by Viking Construction, Bridgeport CT and architecture & design services provided By Culpen and Woods Architects, Stamford CT. 

“This is a wonderful, wonderful story,” Cafero said in the release. “Thirty-four families are now able to say 'welcome home.'"

Applications and additional information regarding River Commons can be found by visiting www.rivercommonsapartments.com and phone number 1-(203) 849-1925.