A project by 1123 W. 7th Urban Renewal LLC would bring 36 units of workforce housing to 1123 West 7th St. in Plainfield. — Rendering courtesy: Taylor Architecture & Design
By Joshua Burd
A developer has moved closer to building a new 36-unit workforce housing property in Plainfield after securing approvals earlier this month from the city’s planning board.
According to Taylor Architecture & Design, part of the project team, apartments at 1123 West 7th St. would be available to renters with incomes that do not exceed 120 percent of the city’s median income. Plans call for a mix of floorplans ranging from studios to three-bedroom dwellings, plus amenities such as a fitness center, a lounge, coworking space and a tenant storage connected to the upper floors via a glass enclosed atrium stair.
Outdoor amenities would include a landscaped patio area, a large backyard and a dog run, part of a three-story building that would include grade-level parking, the design team said. Construction could begin as soon as this fall.
“The exterior of the building was carefully considered due to its proximity to other lower-scale residential buildings and garden apartments,” North Plainfield-based Taylor Architecture wrote. “This was accomplished by using traditional residential materials such as brick veneer and clapboard siding, along with a prominent gable roof reminiscent of the nearby one- and two-family residences.”
The firm’s Stacy Mulrain and Kevin Tempalsky led the design process, while President Brian Taylor presented to the planning board ahead of the unanimous approval on April 3. Other presenting team members included land use attorney Michael Coskey of Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP, civil engineer John Manilio of Manterra Design LLC and planner Matt Flynn of John McDonough Associates LLC.
Part of the 197 Scattered Properties Redevelopment Plan, the project by 1123 W. 7th Urban Renewal LLC would also include trash chute rooms and electric vehicle charging stations, according to a news release. Taylor added that the site design provides dedicated space for moving in and out, as well as package and food delivery services.
