Junker site on W. Catawba

Feb. 7.  By Dave Vieser. Clearing has begun on what’s known as the Junker project—a multi-family development on West Catawba Avenue whose approval shook local politics back in 2021.

The site currently includes the familiar White House Gardens on the west side of West Catawba. The operation is expected to close later this spring.

Coming soon are 195 residential units.

The White House Gardens operation, a fixture on West Catawba for 30 years, is  moving to Denver.

Background

The project was originally proposed by developer Jake Palillo. Shortly after the rezoning was approved in September 2021, the project was taken over by Jamie Rolewicz/West Catawba Properties, which is comprised of Legacy Pointe Properties, LLC, as well as New Castle Development Group (an apartment developer from Charlottesville, Va.) Rolewicz is well-known for the Hyde Park commercial development on Bailey Road and the Watermark luxury condominiums to the east on West Catawba.

Election issue

The original project was approved in June 2021, but not before some residents voiced their opposition to the project. The final vote on the project was 4-1, with only Commissioner Denis Bilodeau opposed.

Three commissioners who voted for the project—Tricia Sisson, Thurman Ross and Michael Miltich—lost their re-election bids five months later in November 2021. Bilodeau won in 2021, but very narrowly lost his bid for mayor last year.

Meanwhile, the Junker project is expected to get a new name. Stay tuned.