The City of Phoenix has marked a significant progress in its affordable housing plan with the groundbreaking of Girasol Apartments in the Edison-Eastlake Community. In partnership with Gorman & Company, this initiative will result in the replacement of 145 outdated public housing units with 364 new affordable and market-rate apartments, according to the City of Phoenix press release.
Reflecting the Edison-Eastlake Community's input, the development has been named "Girasol," Spanish for "sunflower," highlighting a collective approach towards building an inclusive and sustainable housing environment. At the groundbreaking event, Phoenix Mayor Gallego affirmed that Girasol is not just about addressing the housing shortage but also about "cultivating strong senses of community" and embracing "diversity and sustainability." These remarks align with the project's goal to create a vibrant living space, directly informed by the community's needs, as reported by the City of Phoenix.
Financing for Girasol is substantial and diverse, with major backing coming from the Phoenix voters who approved the Phoenix City Council's 2023 General Obligation bond program, contributing approximately $21.3 million. This allocation will address the escalating costs associated with construction, labor, and materials, thus ensuring completion of the apartments. The project also receives a boost from $42.5 million in Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, per statements made by District 8 Councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington, as per the City of Phoenix.
Upon completion, the Girasol development project is set to serve as an example of sustainable, affordable housing. It will unfold in three construction phases, slated for completion between 2026 and 2027. The commencement of this development has been described as the fourth phase in the renewal of the Edison-Eastlake Community, with earlier phases including Soluna Apartments and Harmony at the Park Apartments. Sally Schwenn, Arizona Market President for Gorman & Company, credited the synergy between the City of Phoenix and local residents as crucial in transforming the Girasol site into a home for hundreds of families.
The list of financial partners and supporters for the Girasol Apartments includes the City of Phoenix Housing Department, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Arizona Department of Housing, Gorman & Company, and Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust. Their collective efforts not only signal a potentially transformative change for the Edison-Eastlake neighborhood, but establish a broader commitment to dealing with Phoenix's housing challenges from multiple fronts.
