Offering of workforce accommodation in East Mt. Airy targets the "overlooked and undervalued middle-class sector"
In the heart of East Mount Airy, TierView Development is planning a significant addition to the neighbourhood with an 81-unit workforce housing apartment building. The project, located at 6903-6915 Germantown Avenue, will offer a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units, catering to the "forgotten missing middle" and providing some family-sized units.
Standing five stories tall, the building will also feature over 2,700 square feet of retail space, 11 parking spaces, 42 bike stalls, and a green roof. TierView Development is seeking two zoning bonuses to increase height and density, necessary for the project's completion.
The design of the building aims to blend seamlessly with the historic neighbourhood, boasting brick façades that mirror nearby historic buildings. Seven units within the project will be designated as affordable housing, available to households earning 60% of the area median income (AMI). The remaining units will be priced around 79% AMI.
The site for the development is adjacent to a public park, and the plan includes the removal of three heritage trees, as well as dozens of others. However, TierView has committed to replanting 33 trees and paying fees for those that will not be replaced.
The proposal has garnered some support from community and development bodies, including the Mt. Airy Business Improvement District and an advisory design committee. Despite this, nearby residents have expressed concerns about the project's density, potential impact on traffic congestion, and public safety during a meeting with the city's Civic Design Review committee.
The project's location is between two busy commercial corridors, where real estate developers are increasingly building market-rate multifamily and mixed-use properties. The half-acre site is currently zoned for 55 units, but the city's green roof bonus and mixed-income zoning bonus allow for an additional 26 units, bringing the total to 81.
A zoning hearing is pending for the TierView Development project, which aims to provide thoughtful neighborhood housing that fits the character of East Mount Airy.
- This apartment building project by TierView Development, positioned at 6903-6915 Germantown Avenue, stretches beyond affordable housing and home-and-garden intentions, venturing intovesting opportunities as it includes 2,700 square feet of retail space for potential business ventures.
- In terms of lifestyle and real-estate investments, this development is strategically placed between two commercial corridors, appealing to a mix of tenants and businesses, aiming to bolster the vibrancy of East Mount Airy.
