Lakewood-based Pinkard Construction has completed Boulder County Housing Authority’s Willoughby Corner development under budget and ahead of schedule, despite a five-month permitting delay. The project, located southwest of the intersection of 120th and Emma streets in East Lafayette, resulted from an intergovernmental agreement among Boulder County Housing Authority (BCHA), Boulder County and the City of Lafayette.
Phase 1 of the development, which cost $83 million in hard costs and $106 million total, includes a 63-unit apartment building for residents aged 55 and over, four multi-family buildings totaling 129 units, a community center and $15 million in roads and infrastructure improvements.
The project features extensive geothermal and solar energy systems and is now Colorado’s largest Zero Energy Ready Home community. While undertaking the roads and infrastructure improvements, Pinkard faced jurisdictional challenges as the City of Lafayette worked on its long-term plans. A collaboration among the owner/design team, Pinkard and the City allowed for significant modifications to construction and logistics plans, but these changes resulted in a five-month delay to the construction start. BCHA granted Pinkard a five-month schedule extension, but all parties agreed that meeting the original completion date was crucial to BCHA’s funding needs.
Pinkard completed the project on the originally scheduled date of Dec. 31, 2024, after a major revamping of the construction plan, an enhanced quality control plan and manpower adjustments. One design team member described the completion effort as “miraculous.” Pinkard Frameworks, the company’s in-house wood framing division, significantly contributed to keeping the project on track, with detailed planning during preconstruction and manpower adjustments in the field. RS&H Principal Architect Tino Leone said, “Frameworks’ approach to preconstruction planning and field efficiencies had a significant impact on schedule. It was a great benefit to the project.”
All construction work took place under near-occupied conditions, with heavy school traffic affecting site access and deliveries. Pinkard provided over 30 estimates throughout a two-year preconstruction phase to manage the various funding sources involved in the project, which included 4% and 9% CHFA tax credits.
Currently, Pinkard continues the City’s infrastructure improvements surrounding the Willoughby development, with completion expected by the end of May.
