Rafael Cordero Ave.

Caguas, Puerto Rico

2014

Galería Urbana is a Multifamily Housing project developed by the combination of a variety of funds:  Low Income Housing Tax Credits (allocated by the Internal Revenue Service), Housing Choice Voucher, or Section 8 and HOME funds (both allocated by the U.S Department of Urban and Housing Development).  These funds were put to competition through a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) that enlisted requirements and goals for each project to achieve and therefore be granted with the funding. Consequently, Galería Urbana was acquainted with a combination of these funds.  It ranked first amongst 14 other projects. Only 7 proposals made it to the funding allocation phase.  

 

Galería Urbana is located within the urban center of Caguas. It adjoins the public transportation terminal and other governmental offices. The building is ten stories high and consists of 107 units (15: one-bedroom, 57: two bedrooms, and 35: three bedrooms).  It is complemented by administrative offices, recreational areas, and 112 parking spaces.  The front yard faces Dr. Goyco street and was conceived as an extension of the sidewalk.  It is partially roofed with arches, to provide a safe and pleasant pedestrian space. The second level of the building provides the residents with a laundry and storage area, as well as 7 of the 107 apartments. The main recreational space is located on level 10.  It has an activity room and a communal garden/orchard to be shared by the residents. This project has integrated a network of green spaces and gardens and made a more dynamic urban center area that will encourage greater use of public transportation and its surrounding areas.  

 

The project allows the residents to live in decent, safe, and sanitary dwellings without sacrificing space quality and recreation.