80 Affordable Apartment Homes Kick Off Gibbons Commons, 32-Acre Community on Historic Property
This evening, residents, community members, business leaders and government officials celebrated the opening of Bon Secours Gibbons Apartments, 80 affordable, modern and convenient homes for families, individuals and adults with disabilities in Southwest Baltimore City. The apartments—24 one-bedroom, 48 two-bedroom, and eight three-bedroom homes—resulted from a partnership between Bon Secours Baltimore Health System, Saint Agnes Healthcare and Enterprise Homes, Inc.
Bon Secours Gibbons Apartments is the first new construction on Gibbons Commons, a 32-acre mixed-use development designed by Saint Agnes to provide the community a healthy and safe place to live, work, play and learn. In addition to the new apartments, Gibbons Commons will offer recreational facilities, educational and work development, and retail and office space through partnerships with organizations that share the same commitment to the community.
"Bon Secours is proud to be a part of this beautiful community where the residents will call Bon Secours Gibbons Apartments home,” said Dr. Samuel Ross, CEO of Bon Secours Baltimore Health System. “This development is proof of the great strides we can make in our communities when we work together. Providing safe, affordable housing for our neighbors is paramount in the work we are doing to address the social determinants of health in Southwest Baltimore.”
The architectural character of the development harmonizes with the stone façade of the historic buildings that remain on the campus. The building, which is designed to achieve LEED Silver certification, features multiple elements focused on energy efficiency and a healthy environment, including a highly efficient HVAC system; double-pane windows; water-conserving plumbing; Energy Star appliances; energy-saving light fixtures; and Green Label carpet.
“The healthcare industry continues to change and Saint Agnes Healthcare is working to be as relevant to people when they are well as when they are sick. Gibbons Commons supports that direction. As we open our first project on this historic property, it reinforces our confidence that the lives of those in our community will be impacted in the most positive way,” said Keith Vander Kolk, vice president of Ascension Health and president and CEO of Saint Agnes Healthcare.
Amenities for residents include common-area Wi-Fi, a fitness area, community/activity room, TV/computer area, and a resident lounge on each floor. There is ample on-site parking for residents and their guests. A playground and barbecue area are also planned for the development.
“We’re proud of our partnership with Bon Secours and what we have accomplished together to improve people’s lives and strengthen communities,” said Christine Madigan, executive vice president at Enterprise Homes. “Developments like Bon Secours Gibbons Apartments demonstrate how connecting affordable, high-quality homes with other resources such as good jobs, transit and health care, creates opportunity and helps combat the crisis of housing insecurity."
The ceremony included a brief speaking program, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours, and a barbeque for residents and guests. Among the speakers were Maryland Secretary of Housing and Community Development Kenneth C. Holt, Baltimore City Council President Jack Young, and Baltimore Housing Commissioner Paul T. Graziano, as well as Dr. Ross, Mr. Vander Kolk, and Ms. Madigan.
Secretary Holt noted that, “The state of Maryland is proud to support the development of Bon Secours Gibbons Apartments. These apartments provide much-needed, affordable housing for hard-working families in the community and will serve as a foundation for the future development of Gibbons Commons."
"We are excited to celebrate the grand opening of Bon Secours Gibbons Apartments, which will offer families 80 new, affordable homes near jobs, transportation and healthcare facilities,” said Commissioner Graziano. “The creation of affordable housing in this vibrant community will be supported by $870,000 in HOME funds from the city as well as vouchers for 20 units offered through the Housing Authority of Baltimore City.”
Bon Secours Baltimore Health System, the owner/developer of Bon Secours Gibbons Apartments (through its subsidiary, Unity Properties, Inc.), is considered a leader in affordable housing and healthcare. Enterprise Homes, Inc. was the development consultant; Marks, Thomas Architects oversaw the apartments’ architectural design; and Whiting-Turner Contracting Company was the general contractor. Property management services are provided by the Whetstone Company.
Bon Secours Baltimore Health System serves the West Baltimore Community with a comprehensive array of services including a 72 bed acute care hospital with medical and surgical services, comprehensive behavioral health services, same day surgery, imaging, an outpatient dialysis program, over 25 thousand emergency department visits a year, more than 4,300 discharges annually, 729 affordable housing units in six Senior and two Family Housing Developments, numerous community outreach programs for men, women, expectant mothers, children, teenagers and seniors. More than 810 people are employed by Bon Secours Baltimore Health System. The mission of the Health System is to provide compassionate, quality health care and to be “Good Help®” to those in need in west Baltimore. For more information visit www.bonsecours.com.
For more than 150 years, Saint Agnes Healthcare has been dedicated to the art of healing by providing exceptional care to the greater Baltimore area, with a special focus on the poor and vulnerable. Saint Agnes Healthcare offers a full range of services on the hospital campus as well as locations and offerings throughout the community. Saint Agnes encompasses Saint Agnes Hospital, a full-service teaching hospital and the first Catholic hospital in Baltimore founded by the Daughters of Charity in 1862; Saint Agnes Medical Group, an extensive network of primary care, pediatric and OB/GYN physicians and specialists in locations throughout Baltimore and Howard County; Seton Imaging Center, offering the most advanced and safe imaging techniques provided by a team of board-certified radiologists; Gibbons Commons, a 32-acre mixed-use community being developed to improve the overall well-being of the community by providing innovative housing solutions, recreational facilities, healthy food options, urban green space, and medical office and administrative space to southwest Baltimore; and Saint Agnes Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising money to strategically expand Saint Agnes, support supplemental education for its healthcare professionals, fund cutting-edge medical equipment and provide patient support. Saint Agnes Healthcare is a part of Ascension, the nation’s largest Catholic and not-for-profit health system. Learn more at www.TeamSaintAgnes.com.
Enterprise works with partners nationwide to build opportunity. We create and advocate for affordable homes in thriving communities linked to good schools, jobs, transit and health care. We lend funds, finance development and manage and build affordable housing, while shaping new strategies, solutions and policy. Over more than 30 years, Enterprise has created nearly 358,000 homes, invested $23.4 billion and touched millions of lives. Join us at www.EnterpriseCommunity.com or www.EnterpriseCommunity.org.
Enterprise Homes, Inc. has completed more than 6,000 affordable and market-rate homes and rental residences in communities throughout the mid-Atlantic region. We collaborate with nonprofit and for-profit housing organizations, community groups, as well as city and county agencies to produce high-quality housing, creating vibrant mixed-income communities.
