Progress continues on new apartments

Published 11:04 am Friday, October 28, 2016

Work continues as the Maple Grove apartments at East 5th Avenue and North Maple Street take shape.

Construction crews are on site daily working on the four two-story townhouse units.

“Our projected completion date is a November-December time frame, depending on backordered materials,” said Steve Israel, one of the project leaders and owner of 2 Star Builders LLC, the firm working to construct the apartments with Cardinal Homes.

“We are awaiting arrival of granite counter tops for the kitchens,” Israel said. “Virginia Dominion Power will soon begin construction of underground service to the project.”

He said crews are working on drywall repairs and trim carpentry, including window trim and crown molding inside the apartments.

“The architectural shingles have been installed and the … leaded glass front doors have been hung,” Israel said.

Apartments in the first phase will consist of four two-story townhouse units with two upstairs bedrooms — each with its own bathroom — and a complete laundry.

The ground floor will include a full kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, a dining area, living room and back porch.

“This design offers flexibility and privacy for couples, a small family, or the ‘mingles’ market — two single persons sharing a rental unit,” Israel said in a prior interview.

Steve’s wife, Pat, and their business partners, Joe and Leona Ragan, developed the apartments.

The apartments will offer a single-car garage, Israel said.

“We are trying to use local subcontractors as much as feasible to keep the work supporting local families,” Israel added.

The town rezoned the tract from single-family to multi-family for the project and worked out details for Maple Grove LLC to install a new 6-inch water line on North Maple Street to serve the complex.

The apartment complex was prompted because the region is seeing two major projects residents hope will enhance the region and make it more attractive.

Maple Grove is intended “to capture a new market of folks moving to the Kenbridge area, who want newer and more updated rental properties,” Israel said. “Other potential residents might be those Lunenburg young people who want to return to the area after college, to enjoy and build our community.”

Phase two will be Americans with Disabilities Act compliant, with one-story units expected to be available in 2017.