From the Ground Up: East Cherry Flats

Owner/developer: RKJ Properties LLC
General contractor: Morelock-Ross Builders Inc.
Architect: Buxton Kubik Dodd Creative
Engineers: Anderson Engineering Inc., civil; J&M Engineering LLC, structural; and Pellham-Phillips Architects and Engineers Inc., mechanical, electrical and plumbing
Size: 36,644 square foot
Estimated cost: $5.4 million
Lender: Springfield First Community Bank
Estimated completion date: Dec. 15
Project description: Morelock-Ross Project Manager Robin Newhart said East Cherry Flats replaces three functionally obsolete buildings with luxury apartments. Developer Russell Meck of RKJ Properties, who also manages several apartment complexes in the area through Southwood Properties LLC, saw a need for more housing because Southwood’s complexes in the area are at full capacity, Newhart said. East Cherry Flats is designed with 24 furnished four-bedroom apartments that will be leased by the bedroom, but rental rates have yet to be determined, she said. In November, Meck’s plans for the four-story apartments drew criticism from the Rountree Neighborhood Association – and a couple of Springfield City Council members – for not conforming to the general character of the neighborhood and for his efforts to secure an estimated $385,000 in property tax abatements for redeveloping the blighted properties. Council later approved the plans.

Send project info to bbrown@sbj.net. [[In-content Ad]]