When in the initial stages of an affordable housing construction project, navigating the environmental and geotechnical needs of your project can be challenging without the right consulting partner to support your project seamlessly from initial due diligence through occupancy. Braun Intertec Corporation has provided environmental and engineering services on numerous projects in Texas and throughout the country, including new construction, acquisition and rehabilitation, and historic renovations. Below are two recent affordable housing development projects our team provided assistance on in Texas.
Multifamily Community in Balch Springs, Texas
The first project consisted of new construction of 216-units of affordable apartments in Balch Springs, Texas. The project included seven slab-on-grade 3-story apartment buildings, one clubhouse/leasing office, 36 garage structures, and one maintenance building. Braun Intertec began with due diligence services in the spring of 2018 as part of the project planning. This included completion of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), prepared in accordance with Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) requirements; a geotechnical evaluation; wetland delineation with jurisdictional determination assistance; and completion a United States Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 8-Step Process due to the presence of wetlands and a floodplain. Braun Intertec continued to support the project planning with a pre-demolition asbestos inspection of the previous buildings scheduled for demolition. At the start of the redevelopment, the team provided asbestos abatement coordination and management; and construction materials testing and special inspections during construction of the new multifamily community. Our involvement in the project wrapped up in the spring of 2022 when the project was completed with post-construction short-term radon testing.
Affordable Housing in Ennis, Texas
The second project consisted of new construction of 264-units of affordable apartments in the Ennis, Texas area. The development includes nine slab-on-grade 3-story apartment buildings, one clubhouse/leasing office, and exterior amenities including a pool. Starting in the summer of 2020 as part of the project planning, Braun Intertec assisted with the initial due diligence services including completion of a Phase I ESA, prepared in accordance with TDHCA requirements; a geotechnical evaluation; wetland delineation with jurisdictional determination assistance; and noise assessment and attenuation study of the planned multifamily buildings and exterior amenity spaces. Braun Intertec continued to support the project planning with completion of a limited soil investigation to address past agricultural use of the property. The team also provided construction materials testing and special inspections during start of construction of the new community and continued these services until summer 2022.
Adding a team with the expertise and resources to help navigate your environmental and geotechnical needs from initial site selection and due diligence through construction results in successful project outcomes. Our team is looking forward to connecting with affordable housing industry leaders at the upcoming Texas Housing Conference in Austin. Stop by booth 60 to talk with us!
