Ground Broken On Senior Housing Development in Berlin

BERLIN, CT — Construction is underway on a new affordable senior housing development in Berlin that will replace the former Knights of Columbus building on Percival Avenue with 70 apartments for residents age 62 and older.

Local, state and federal officials gathered Friday, July 24, for the groundbreaking of The Kensington, a development at 143 Percival Ave. that has been years in the making.

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Berlin Mayor Mark Kaczynski called the groundbreaking a long-awaited milestone in a Facebook post following the ceremony.

"Well it's FINALLY happening!" Kaczynski wrote. "Today was the official groundbreaking for Berlin's newest senior affordable housing project."

The mayor said the project required years of work and setbacks before a plan emerged that benefited both seniors and taxpayers.

"This is what can be accomplished when government works WITH the private sector to get good things done," Kaczynski wrote, thanking State Rep. Donna Veach, R-Berlin, Barbara Gombatz of the Berlin Commission on Aging and others who helped advance the project.

Veach also celebrated the groundbreaking, highlighting the collaboration among local, state and private partners.

"To get to where we are today took some time, so I'm thrilled for the partnership between the Town of Berlin, Vesta Corporation, state partners, and everyone else who played a part in this important development," Veach said in a statement.

According to the Connecticut Department of Housing, the project will replace the vacant former Knights of Columbus building with two new residential buildings containing 70 affordable apartments for residents 62 and older.

The state is supporting the development with $8.75 million through the Department of Housing's FLEX program.

The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority is also financing the project through 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, expected to generate approximately $8.8 million in private investment, along with $7.9 million in tax-exempt bond financing and $1 million from the Opportunity Fund.

The Kensington will be located next to Berlin's recreation property and walking trail and is planned to include a large community room, an outdoor terrace, and 90 parking spaces.

From June 26: 'Berlin Senior Housing Project Among 10 CT Developments Granted State Financing'