Housing authority says Northview Heights redevelopment close to closing as commissioners press on minority participation

The People Opportunity Commission on a March meeting approved several prime contracts tied to the long-running Northview Heights redevelopment while commissioners pressed the housing authority and prime contractors for greater minority- and women-owned business participation and workforce commitments.

Commissioners voted to approve an electrical prime for the Northview MidRise, a separate package identified as 2502-06 that increased its MBE/WBE participation, and the mechanical prime (Control Climate Systems) even though staff said the mechanical package had no MBE/WBE participation. The housing authority and prime contractors described repeated outreach efforts and technical barriers — including certification and product requirements — that limited bids from some small, minority- or women-owned firms.

Why it matters: Northview is a multi-prime, mixed-finance redevelopment intended to replace obsolete high‑rise housing. Commissioners framed the meeting as a last review before anticipated financing and a planned closing in April; staff said securing contractors and meeting federal and state financing requirements make timing critical for moving residents into the new buildings.

Brandon Hvranick, director of procurement and contracting officer at the Housing Authority, said the authority reached out to more than 40 vendors for the mechanical package and that the agency itself also did outreach beyond the vendor’s efforts. "We reached out to over 40 vendors they reached out to in addition to about another 30 to 40 we reached out to during the process," Hvranick said. He added that historically the authority’s contracting since COVID has included roughly 17% MBE and 10% WBE participation across purchases totaling about $160 million.

Brady Benedetti, a representative of Control Climate Systems, said his firm solicited about 30 subcontractors multiple times but received few quotes for HVAC work that requires certifications and specialized product supply. "Each time every once in a while, we would get someone that would ask for a little more information, provide that information, and then just never receive a quote from them," Benedetti said.

Rick (staff member) and Chuck (staff member) described changes to packages to create more subcontracting opportunities. Commissioners noted one follow-up: the plumbing package, previously approved, reported approximately 27% MBE and 13.5% WBE participation, which commission staff described as a 41% combined rate for that prime. For the mechanical package, Hvranick gave an overall participation snapshot for the whole project as roughly 14.8% MBE and 3.3% WBE at one point in the discussion, and later said the overall total for the project (about $13,000,000) was "about 15% and a little under 5%" (MBE/WBE).

Commissioners also discussed prevailing‑wage and federal requirements. Staff confirmed Davis‑Bacon prevailing‑wage rules apply to the mechanical contract, and that the project is subject to PHFA (tax-credit and mixed‑finance) documentation requirements that can raise administrative burdens for primes and subcontractors.

Several commissioners urged continued outreach and stronger workforce links. One commissioner asked staff to coordinate with the authority’s Section 3 workforce office; staff said conversations were underway with Lloyd Wilson, manager of Section 3, about involving local residents in workforce pathways separate from the MBE/WBE subcontracting counts. "There is a workforce component being discussed right now, with Control Climate and Lloyd Wilson," a staff member said.

The commission approved the mechanical prime despite the lack of MBE/WBE quotes; several commissioners said they voted in favor because of the larger goal of delivering modern, safe housing for Northview Heights residents. Commissioner Tracy (Madam Chair) said she would have voted no in other circumstances but supported approval given the commitment to deliver housing: "...with the promise that they are gonna get safe and modern housing, that's my vote," she said.

Directions and follow-up: Commissioners asked the housing authority and primes to continue outreach, to break out scopes that could be subcontracted, and to pursue a workforce plan with Section 3 staff. Staff and primes said they will continue to solicit quotes and to provide updated participation information to the commission.

Votes at the meeting: the commission approved the electrical prime for Northview MidRise, the 2502‑06 package (which staff said increased from 2.4% to 15.4% participation), and the mechanical prime (Control Climate Systems). The plumbing prime had been approved previously and was reported with higher participation rates.

The commission recorded attendance, approved February minutes, and then moved through the Northview packages before continuing to other agenda items.

Closing: Staff said they were aiming to close financing in April so construction and resident moves could proceed on schedule; the commission asked for continued monthly updates on participation and workforce commitments.