Under construction since 2021, the mixed-use development has seen delays since November due to “problems” with the general contractor and supply chain issues, said Paris Rutherford, president of Catalyst Urban Development, the company overseeing the project.
“Now that we have momentum moving, we expect efficiency and continuous progress going forward,” Rutherford said.
Since shifting to new general contractor Andres Construction in December, work began in January on structure framing in parts of the development. Installation of air conditioning, electrical work and plumbing is set to start in the next few weeks. Once completed, the development will include 15,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space, 350 multifamily units, and 900 townhouses.
Many construction projects have seen delays across the country, said Leigh Richter, executive vice president of investment services for Bradford Commercial Real Estate Services, which handles commercial real estate deals in the region.
“Issues in the supply chain have definitely impacted how we do business,” Richter said.
Richter said delays have been caused by issues that include an increase in interest rates and the cost of materials, in addition to difficulty finding trained and qualified workers.
“It has the trickle effect of, if you own a piece of dirt, you don’t really want to break ground right now ... because it’s not very exciting that it’s going to cost substantially more to build,” Richter said.
Rutherford said the project’s first residential and retail building is set to open this fall. He said one of the site’s five buildings is expected to be opened every following month, with the entire development space expected to open in spring 2024.
“We have been able to navigate this difficult period, but it’s been a challenge,” he said.
Work on Belt + Main, including construction on a park adjacent to the project that’s set to begin in the next two months, is part of a larger effort to revitalize the historic downtown area, Rutherford said.
