Pinkard Construction Breaks Ground on Chrysalis Affordable Housing Project in Denver
DENVER, Colo. — Pinkard Construction, alongside partners Radix Design and The Empowerment Program, today celebrated the groundbreaking of Chrysalis, a transformational affordable housing development located at 1777 Franklin Street in Denver’s City Park West neighborhood.
The ceremony featured remarks from Empowerment Program Executive Director Julie Kiehl, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, Colorado Division of Housing Director Tyler Jaeckel, and representatives from the Colorado Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) and Enterprise Community Partners, all of whom emphasized the critical importance of trauma-informed, deeply affordable housing in the city’s ongoing efforts to address homelessness and housing insecurity.
“Today marks a truly meaningful milestone. A huge milestone. For the Empowerment community and for the Denver community,” said Kiehl, “We're standing on ground that has served residents for decades and today we begin the transformation of the space into something even more powerful - the future Chrysalis Apartments. The need for low-income housing in Colorado is critical. Chrysalis Apartments will help meet that need, replacing 15 units with 70.”
“The first step to a better life is a home of one’s own,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “Chrysalis Apartments will provide individuals with the stability and support they need to leave the streets behind for good, and is a powerful example of what we can achieve when we invest in equity and inclusion.”
Navigating a Challenging Urban Site
Situated on a congested, zero-lot-line infill parcel adjacent to multiple hospitals and healthcare facilities, Chrysalis presents significant logistical challenges. Construction will require periodic right-of-way closures and careful coordination around ambulance access routes and neighborhood activity.
To minimize disruption, Pinkard is developing a comprehensive neighborhood logistics plan that balances safety, mobility, and community impact with construction efficiency and schedule integrity.
A High-Performance, Community-Focused Building
Chrysalis is designed to meet U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready standards, ensuring long-term operational performance and sustainability. The development is financed through CHFA and incorporates Davis-Bacon wage requirements, reinforcing its commitment to equitable economic participation. Construction is expected to take fourteen months.
“For more than six decades, Pinkard Construction has partnered across Colorado to deliver high-quality, resilient, affordable housing,” said Pinkard President Tony Burke. “Chrysalis represents not only innovation in building technology but a deep community commitment to healing, stability, and opportunity.”
Over the last ten years, Pinkard has completed 35 affordable housing communities totaling nearly 6,000 units across the Front Range.
About The Empowerment Program
The Empowerment Program provides affordable housing and trauma-informed public health services, centering a housing-first strategy to promote both physical and mental well-being. Their mission is rooted in equity, community, and holistic support for individuals seeking stability and growth.
About Community Capital Corporation
With more than 35 years of experience, Community Capital Corporation specializes in financing and overseeing affordable housing developments. Led by Ken Hoagland—an expert in affordable housing and board member of The Empowerment Program—the firm brings deep expertise and mission alignment to the Chrysalis project.
About Radix Design
Radix Design is a Denver-based architecture firm dedicated to projects centered on social benefit, sustainability, and strong connection to place. Radix has partnered with The Empowerment Program since 2021 to advance the Chrysalis vision and support successful CHFA tax credit approvals.
About Enterprise Community Partners
Enterprise Community Partners (Enterprise) is a national nonprofit that supports community development organizations on the ground, aggregates and invests capital for impact, advances housing policy at every level of government, and builds and manage communities. Since 1982, we have invested $80.9 billion and created over 1 million homes across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Enterprise affiliates Enterprise Community Loan Fund provided $1.3MM in acquisition and pre-development financing to support the Empowerment Program throughout the project's initial planning stages and Enterprise Housing Credit Investments will provide a $13.6M LIHTC equity investment for Chrysalis’s development.
