Description:
Jordan Downs Phase 2 is a multi-building site development within the overall Jordan Downs redevelopment. Jordan Downs is an over 700-unit public housing complex in Watts, Los Angeles. The original development featured over 100 buildings built in the 1940s and 1950s, which have since fallen into disrepair. The whole area is being redeveloped by Bridge Housing and the Michaels Organization. Jordan Downs Phase 2 is one phase of the 12-phase redevelopment and consists of one midrise multifamily building and four low-rise multifamily buildings, comprising approximately 80,000 sf of residential space.
Partner Energy was engaged by the owner to achieve LEED Homes Gold level certification for this project. The scopes of work included LEED, energy modeling, HERS testing, and Commissioning. Providing multiple service lines related to the certification scope allowed for easy coordination for the project and ensured success in achieving the desired certification for the client.
A big challenge of the Jordan Downs development is utilizing the synergy of the overall Jordan Downs development to contribute to the sustainability of the project. Since this is affordable housing, there are budget constraints. Additionally, due to the multiple development phases, there are time constraints to complete the project since current tenants are temporarily moved out so that the redevelopment can move forward.
Utilizing multiple rounds of energy modeling, the Partner Energy team was able to give the budget-constrained project the best return on investment for energy reduction measures. Also, working throughout the project and overall development provided for an integrated process that allowed for collaboration to identify items, such as swap out of the water heaters originally designed, to cut down on construction time.
A development of this size and with so many stakeholders also brings balancing challenges. Balancing various stakeholder needs with overall development goals and delivering property-specific needs requires ongoing coordination to ensure project team alignment. Since Jordan Downs Phase 2 is one of 12 planned phases, it needs to consider not just its own project site but also the overall development.
Overall, this project will contribute significantly to the entire Jordan Downs redevelopment. In addition to residential areas, Jordan Downs Phase 2 also includes a common area, amenities, and park areas. The overall redevelopment will have 1.7 acres of neighborhood parks and over 50,000 sf of community and recreation spaces. The project also contributes significantly to the overall redevelopment sustainability goals and incorporates various sustainability measures, including:
- All stormwater being handled onsite
- All native plantings
- Low-flow plumbing fixtures
- Low energy use buildings utilizing high efficiency equipment and extensive solar PV
- Low-emitting materials used indoors
Jordan Downs Phase 2 has achieved LEED Gold Certification, which will contribute to the LEED Neighborhood Development goals for the overall redevelopment.
Partner Energy continues to work on further phases of the Jordan Downs redevelopment to bring synergy and lessons learned from completed phases to upcoming phases and ensure a streamlined building process to reduce construction time, reduce initial and ongoing operating costs, and contribute to the overall long-term success of the redevelopment.
