Groundbreaking ceremony for Delmar Place Apartments set for Oct. 1

A groundbreaking ceremony for Delmar Place Apartments, 2125 Clinton Parkway, will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1.

The ceremony will include brief remarks from Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority CEO Shannon Oury, Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority Board Chair Wallace Meyer, Jr., and Douglas County Commission Chair Karen Willey.

The building, which will be owned and operated by the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority (LDCHA), will have 32 one-bedroom apartments for low-income seniors that have been specifically designed to maximize functional abilities and minimize barriers through good design and appropriate supports. It will be located just north of LDCHA's Clinton Place apartments.

The project will be constructed with accessibility features and access to supports to allow participants to age in place as long as possible. It has three times the required number of units designed to be fully accessible in compliance with federal American with Disabilities Act guidelines for seniors who require the use of a wheelchair. The building will incorporate safety features including the ability to install devices for tenants with visual or hearing impairments. It will also include support services such as transportation, food delivery and recreation as well as access to on-site technology.

“Douglas County is committed to providing affordable and supportive housing opportunities as part of the community’s strategic plan, “A Place for Everyone,’” Willey said. “Delmar Place plays a crucial role in achieving this goal by providing essential housing for low-income seniors who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness in our community.”

It is anticipated that the first tenant will move into Delmar Place Apartments in January 2026. Tenants will pay a sliding scale rent based on 30% of their income.

“The LDCHA’s mission is to maintain the public trust by preserving and expanding affordable housing and providing opportunities for participants to thrive through services, innovation and collaboration,” Oury said. “We have set a goal for our agency to double the number households served by 2028, and Delmar Place is the first project underway to accomplishing that goal.”

The name Delmar Place was selected to honor Delmar Jackson, an outstanding LDCHA maintenance employee who has taken care of Clinton Place since it was purchased in 2006. “LDCHA employees overwhelmingly voted to name it after Delmar because of his deep dedication to serving our tenants. Delmar is currently the Housing Authority’s longest serving employee. He is beloved by the staff and the tenants of Clinton Place,” Oury said.

The cost of the project is $4.7 million. It is being funded through a federal American Rescue Plan Act grant of $3 million that was awarded by the Douglas County Commission and $1.4 million from the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority reserve funds.

MarLan Construction has teamed with Hernly & Associates as the design-builder.