SEVEN04 Place

Challenge

Reconciling deep affordability, support services, environmental remediation, and urban design on a compact infill site posed a multi-layered challenge. The 1.75-acre Walker’s Point site had heavy contamination from a former dry cleaner and industrial use, necessitating costly brownfield remediation before any construction could start. At the same time, financing had to be assembled from ten different sources—including LIHTC equity, TIF, Brownfield Grants, HOME funds, HUD, WHEDA loans, WEDC grants, FHLBank funds, and deferred developer fees—all while satisfying mandates for supportive housing (14 units for veterans), Green Built Home certification, RPP (Residents Preference Program) worker-hours targets, and SBE/MBE participation thresholds. Catalyst needed to sequence the remediation, multi-source funding, and diverse project goals cleanly and efficiently so the development timeline stayed on track.

Solution

Catalyst Construction, serving as construction manager, orchestrated a precise, phased approach to mobilize environmental remediation and site prep in tandem with preconstruction funding closings. Our non-self-perform model enabled aggressive sourcing of trades qualified in brownfield cleanup, energy-efficient systems, and supportive housing fit-out. We collaborated closely with Arc-Int Architecture to design one-, two-, and three-bedroom units plus amenity spaces (community lounge, fitness room, on-site property offices, parking, indoor bike and storage, unit laundry). We met Green Built Home standards by installing energy-saving systems and specifying durable materials. Catalyst made targeted hires to exceed the 40% RPP worker-hours requirement (achieving approx. 73%), and surpassed the 25% SBE/MBE subcontracting goals (achieving about 41%), integrating workforce development and equity into construction execution.

Impact

• Delivered 60 affordable apartments, including 14 set aside for veterans requiring supportive services, and a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units.
• Opened in July 2019 and provides approximately 60,000 sq ft of residential space, accessible to working families and veterans while replacing a vacant warehouse with a modern, healthy-built community.
• Exceeded socio-economic participation mandates: achieved approx. 73% of RPP worker-hours (against a 40% target) and 41% SBE/MBE subcontracting (against 25% requirement).
• Delivered Green Built Home-compliant housing and on-site supportive resources—case management, healthcare referrals, education, and social services—for veterans and families.
• Reinforced Catalyst’s mission of building relationship-driven, equitable affordable housing that benefits both residents and the workforce. The development contributed to long-term stabilization and inclusive revitalization in Walker’s Point, notably under developer Rule Enterprises, Change agents Impact Seven, and health-focused investor UnitedHealthcare.