Portland, Maine — Portland Housing Authority and Avesta Housing will celebrate the grand opening of their recently completed development, Bayside Anchor, on Wednesday June 7 at 5:00 p.m. The program will include a performance by Portland-based Pihcintu Multicultural Choir and tours of apartments. Speakers at the event will be: Mayor Ethan Strimling, City of Portland; Mark Adelson, Executive Director, Portland Housing Authority; Jesse Thompson, Principal, Kaplan Thompson Architects; Alma Balonon-Rosen, Director, Enterprise Community Partners; and MD Islam, Bayside Anchor resident.

Portland Housing Authority (PHA) and Avesta Housing were co-developers on this 45-unit, mixed-income, mixed-use Passive House Building located in the heart of the East Bayside neighborhood in Portland.  The new building has nine market-rate units and 36 affordable units targeted for individuals and families making between approximately $23,000 and $49,000 annually. PHA Executive Director Mark Adelson remarks, “Bayside Anchor is a service hub for low-income residents in East Bayside, giving the project its name as a stabilizing ‘anchor’ for the community.” The street level is home to a Head Start preschool program and Community Policing and PHA offices. Adelson adds, “Bayside Anchor is PHA’s first new development in 45 years, and our first step in revitalizing our properties in this neighborhood. We were delighted to partner with Avesta to add much-needed housing in Portland. These homes, along with the community services Bayside Anchor offers, will further enrich this already vibrant neighborhood.”

Bayside Anchor is the first multifamily building in Portland that will be certified as a Passive House building by the Passive House Institute U.S. (PHIUS).  Passive House is a set of design principles used to attain a quantifiable level of energy efficiency and resident comfort. The cost to operate each unit is predicted to be only $125 annually, and the heating load is estimated to be up to 85% less than if the building had been designed to meet minimum building code requirements.  There is no centralized heating system needed in the building because the building is super insulated, airtight, and well ventilated.  This design creates healthy, quiet, comfortable, and cost-effective homes for 45 households.

Bayside Anchor was designed by Kaplan Thompson Architects and built by Wright-Ryan Construction, both Portland-based companies. Funding for this $7.8 million project came from Enterprise and Deutsche Bank (pre-development loan), Bangor Savings Bank (construction loan), City of Portland (HOME funds), MaineHousing (HOME funds and interest-only debt), and Boston Capital (low income housing tax credit equity).

Bayside Anchor Grand Opening | June 7, 2017 | 81 East Oxford Street, Portland, Maine

SCHEDULE

5:00 p.m.             Grand opening begins

5:15 p.m.             Program

6:00 p.m.             Apartment tours

About Portland Housing Authority

Portland Housing Authority (PHA) was established in 1943 under State-enabling legislation and authorized by resolution of the Portland City Council. It is covered under the federal Housing Act of 1937 as amended, and primarily funded and regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). PHA and its affiliated corporations provide long-term affordable rental housing and rental assistance to more than 3,000 low-income families, seniors, and disabled individuals through its Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Programs. It houses over 6,500 residents, close to 10% of the City’s population. Together with its community partners, the PHA provides and expands affordable housing and services that improve quality of life, build community, enhance safety, and promote personal success for the people we serve and the neighborhoods in which they reside. www.PortHouse.org

 

About Avesta Housing

Avesta Housing is a nonprofit affordable housing provider with over 40 years of experience as a leader in affordable housing development and property management in southern Maine and New Hampshire. The organization is headquartered in Portland, Maine and currently has more than 80 properties and 2,000 apartments in its portfolio. Avesta’s mission is to improve lives and strengthen communities by promoting and providing quality affordable homes for people in need. Its five areas of focus are advocacy, development, property management, home ownership, and assisted living. www.AvestaHousing.org