10/21/2011
(PHOENIX, Ariz. - October 21, 2011) - Development partners, local government officials and community members were on hand for the grand opening ceremony for the Devine Legacy on Central affordable housing development Thursday, October 20, 2011. The celebration marked the opening of the unique transit oriented affordable housing community and celebrated the work of long-standing Native American Connections’ (NAC) Chief Executive Officer Diana Yazzie Devine - whom the development is named after.
The ceremony included Native American musical performances, a traditional blessing by Dino Haley of Native American Connections and a series of speakers discussing the story of the unique housing development and the work of Diana Yazzie Devine. Dignitaries included Wayne Taylor, NAC Board Chairman; Tom Simplot, Councilman District 4; Elisa dela Vara, on behalf of Congressman Ed Pastor; Michael Trailor, AZ Department of Housing Director; Bryan Dunn; Sr. Vice President at Adolfson & Peterson Construction; Don Keuth, PCA Executive Director; Joe Keeper, NAC Director; and Diana Yazzie Devine, NAC CEO. Development and financing partners were also recognized for their contributions in making this project come to fruition.
Started as a vision five years ago, Devine Legacy on Central is the first affordable housing community to open along the Phoenix Metro light rail line. The development consists of 65 urban style apartments at the Campbell & Central Light Rail Station (4570 N. Central). The transit oriented project was developed as a live and work project for people of different incomes. The sustainable affordable housing development is also aiming for LEED Platinum certification (making it the most sustainable housing community in the State of Arizona). The project was recently honored by the Arizona Department of Housing as an Outstanding Housing Initiative for its energy efficiency and high density design. The project was financed with low-income housing tax-credits, $3 million in HOME program funds from the City of Phoenix, deferred developer fees, and other grants and private funding. Designed by Pyatok Architects and Perlman Architects of Arizona, the development was constructed by Adolfson & Peterson Construction.
“We are honored to be a part of the development team on such an exceptional project,” states Bryan Dunn, Senior Vice President at Adolfson & Peterson Construction. “The project is a great story at so many levels. Devine Legacy represents a truly sustainable housing community with its LEED Platinum certification and being situated along the light rail. It also honors the work of Diana Yazzie Devine, who has spent the last 30 years improving the lives of people within the Native American community locally. The construction itself also had a major impact on the local economy - thirty Maricopa County-based companies benefited from over $7.5 million in subcontracts awarded on the project and 661 local tradesmen were employed during its construction.”
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