Affordable Housing Developer Proposes Project Near 27th and Troost

By Kevin Collison

The Vecino Group, a Springfield-based affordable housing firm, has filed plans with the city to build a 57-unit apartment project at 2732 Forest, an area in the Troost corridor experiencing a market-rate apartment boom.

The proposed four-story development had been scheduled to be reviewed by the City Plan Commission this week, but was taken off the calendar at the request of the developer.

Officials at Vecino could not be reached for comment.

The development plan filed with the city calls for a project called The Mabion that would include 14, three-bedroom units; 32, two-bedroom units and 11, one-bedroom. A fitness center and community room also would be part of the project.

Another view of the proposed Mabion apartment project. (Image from City Planning Department application)

Last year, Vecino proposed an affordable housing project on riverfront property controlled by Port KC. That plan called for what was described as “integrated supportive housing” and would have included   one-, two- and three-bedroom units.

What was called the Espero Kansas City project failed to move forward however, when it was turned down for state low-income housing tax credits by the Missouri Housing Development Commission.

Vecino did develop a 50-unit affordable apartment project at 31st and Harrison called Allhaven. It has one-fourth of its units set aside for young adults diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

On its website, Vecino Group describes itself as being “rooted in the desire to maximize social impact and respond to broader community needs.”

The proposed Mabion site is near several market-rate apartment developments that have been built in recent years including the 249-unit 2501 Beacon Hill at 25th and Troost; the 182-unit Marcato at 27th and Troost, and the 87-unit Wonder Shops + Flats at 30th and Troost.