Brooklyn Center Celebrates Amenity-Rich Affordable Housing Complex
Capping off a saga that dates back years, city leaders and developers celebrated that grand opening of a new apartment complex in Brooklyn Center on Dec. 12.
Wangstad Commons — a four-story, 54-unit complex — opened its doors at 61st Avenue and Brooklyn Boulevard.
“We wanted to honor this community by making sure that we could provide a place where folks can live, families can live and be proud of where they live, regardless of one’s economics,” said Johnny Opara, the project’s developer.
The $23 million project offers high amenities for a price lower than the market rate.
Wangstad Commons — a four-story, 54-unit complex — opened its doors at 61st Avenue and Brooklyn Boulevard.
Opara, the founder of JO Companies, wanted to create a complex where people who are struggling financially could live with dignity.
The complex offers a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom units — which is uncommon for the region.
Amenities include in-unit washers and dryers, a fitness center and a community room.
Units are available for families making 30 percent, 50 percent, or 60 percent of area median income.
That means monthly rent ranges from $900 to $2,300 per month.
Opara says this project can’t meet all of the region’s affordable housing needs.
“In the state of Minnesota, we need about 110,000 more affordable housing units here in this state, so we have a lot of work to do,” Opara said. “But, Wangstad Commons isn’t a bad start to that here in Brooklyn Center.”
Kevin Miller contributed to this report.
