On Friday, February 2nd, Blach Construction (Blach), along with co-developers MidPen Housing and EPACANDO, designer David Baker Architects, community partners, members and supporters, celebrated the start of construction of Colibri Commons. The crucial project will provide the East Palo Alto community with much-needed affordable housing units.
Located on a 2.61-acre city-owned site at 965 Weeks Street, Colibri Commons encompasses four wood-framed buildings. The high-density, multi-family residential affordable development includes three four-story buildings that wrap around a five-level parking garage with 218 stalls. Totaling 236,000 sq.ft., the development’s 136 apartments will range from studios up to four bedrooms. Planned amenities include a community room with kitchen, outdoor play areas, an after-school learning center for resident children, laundry room and on-site office space for supportive staff.
“Colibri Commons is a significant project for meeting the housing needs of East Palo Alto and we’re thrilled to be collaborating with service- and like-minded partners to do so,” said Blach Vice President Kevin McIntosh. “Leveraging our extensive experience in self-perform work on this multifaceted project ensures that we maintain our highest standards in quality and safety while remaining on schedule. Now that construction has begun, we are that much closer to bringing this community to life for its new residents.”
To facilitate the project’s rigorous construction schedule, Blach’s project and self-perform teams are employing advanced virtual design and construction techniques and will prefabricate all wall panels. Maintaining extensive coordination with the architect and trade partners, building information modeling (BIM) is being used to model each structure, including the wood framing, as well as for mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) clash detection and elevated walkway slope requirements, enabling more precise on-site wall panel installation and reduced construction durations.
MidPen Property Management will professionally manage the community, and MidPen Services will provide free, onsite services such as employment preparation, exercise and nutrition classes, service coordination and adult education services.
“Colibri Commons is a great example of dedicated stakeholders coming together to address the housing needs of East Palo Alto,” said Polo Munoz, director of development for MidPen Housing. “We appreciate our partners, EPACANDO, and the talented Blach project team that is bringing to life the community’s vision for 136 new, affordable homes on this site.”
Financing for Colibri Commons is being provided through public and private sources, including the City of East Palo Alto, County of San Mateo, Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Wells Fargo, California Community Reinvestment Corporation, HEART of San Mateo County, Strategic Growth Council, California Department of Housing and Community Development, California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, California Debt Limit Allocation Committee, and California Municipal Finance Authority.
Colibri Commons is expected to open in Summer 2025. Interested prospective residents may visit https://www.midpen-housing.org/property/colibri-commons/ to join the interest list.
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