Finally rising!

Like any tree knows, things happen below ground before anything can happen above ground. So it goes with Clara Brown Commons, our 61-unit apartment building under construction in Northeast Denver.

But this month, it’s going up—an actual profile against the sky. Elevator shafts and stairwells rose fast last month, and stairs went in this week. Workers are standing on the top fourth-floor level, with a view our future residents will enjoy.

Next week we take delivery of lumber for the framing, which is on target for completion in February. In coming weeks Clara Brown Commons will look like a building!

It’s a very exciting time. The dream really is happening. Potential residents— low-income families longing for homes to make a life in—are stopping by the site to imagine keys in their hands next fall.

And ahhhhhh… so much happening below the surface.

The story can’t be told fully without a view from underneath. I’ll give a few highlights, and we might say lowlights (!), which are woven into our steps of faith with this project.

Delays with supply chains and permitting backlogs sharply drive up expenses beyond forecasts, month by month. Then as we construction was barely underway, a requirement was added for us to install a massive stormwater tank* and upgrade a nearby traffic signal (together adding over $500,000 of costs). Our financial team works every angle to address new strains on the budget.

Every construction project in the city (and nationwide) faces similar costly challenges now. Our highly skilled, experienced team (of which I’m the only non-expert, thankfully!) negotiates hard each week, navigating minefields. I simply can’t say enough (but will say more, in another update) about the extraordinary team that has come together for such a time as this.

I’ve mentioned just a few of the numerous current obstacles that present a project management challenge, with unprecedented complexities. I’ll also share, and kindred spirits will understand, that it’s a spiritual journey we are immensely grateful to be on.

We’ve walked this path of trust, for nearly two decades specifically with Clara Brown Commons, “through many dangers, toils, and snares.” In their own ways, our residents have also. We keep our eyes on the prize of creating a vibrant home community for them.

I’m so very grateful for you walking with us in faith!

Peace in Christ,

Jeff Johnsen,

Executive Director

*We’re thrilled about the contractor who won the bid with our builder to install the stormwater tank: Frank Martinez of Martinez Underground. Frank, who installs municipal water systems in the metro area, was a Joshua Station resident during a very difficult time earlier in his life. A bit of his story is on our blog post.