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You have questions, we have answers. Learn more about The Columbia multifamily housing development, located at Coolidge Highway and Columbia Road in Berkley, Michigan.
Community engagement is at the heart of our project. If you have any questions about how The Columbia is shaping a better future for Berkley, Michigan, please feel free to reach out here.
Last Updated: June 14, 2024
Like many communities nationwide, there is an incredibly high demand for high-quality housing in Berkley. At present, 73% of existing land use is currently single-family homes, while only 1% of existing land use percentages is multifamily. Additionally, of Berkley’s 1,656 total acres, only 6.6 acres are vacant or available for development. The duplexes currently owned by the developer and planned for redevelopment are 80 years old and do not represent the best use of this property. The Columbia remedies that. The City of Berkley’s Master Plan, adopted in mid-2021, clearly addresses the need for multifamily housing to help support the city’s vision for success. The Columbia will bring more housing options to the Gateway District, positively impacting retail in the area and supporting downtown’s walkable family-friendly atmosphere. Our mission to create new housing options is supported by local businesses and the Downtown Development Authority.
Your dedicated project team behind The Columbia shares deep personal connections with the Berkley community, exemplifying our strong commitment to the project, the city and the community.
Wayne M. Wudyka of WJ Ventures
Wayne is a Birmingham resident and has been in business in Berkley, Huntington Woods, and Oak Park for more than 30 years. He is an avid supporter and investor of the community, in the past, present, and future. WJ Ventures and Wayne own properties across Cambridge and Columbia and across the street, plus he has co-developed various single-family homes and other real estate in Berkley. He is the CEO and co-founder of Certified Restoration Drycleaning Network (CRDN), the country’s leading expert in textile and full contents restoration, headquartered in Berkley. He is also the CEO and co-owner of Huntington Cleaners and Camelot Cleaners, located near The Columbia development, and Wesch Cleaners in Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills.
His past involvement in the community includes serving as the president of the local Chamber of Commerce and the Berkley Downtown Development Authority. He and his businesses have also participated in and funded various city programs and events, such as BOO!kley, the Berkley Street Art Fest, the K-9 Program and CruiseFest. Wayne and Company have been a Berkley Dad’s Club sponsor for almost 25 years, and Huntington Cleaners routinely donates services for the high school band and football uniforms. All of which is to say that he and his companies has a vested interest in the success of Berkley as a community.
Wayne Wudyka II
Wayne Wudyka II is an intern at CRDN, supporting The Columbia project, and has been instrumental in initial meetings with the Planning Department and Public Safety at the onset of the project. He also supported a market/apartment analysis in the greater Berkley area and later assisted in presentations with the DDA, Chamber of Commerce and discussion with residents. He is currently studying business at the Michigan State University Eli Broad College of Business and was recently elected to the Broad Student Senate.
Elliot Nederhood
Elliott Nederhood supported The Columbia project during a summer 2023 internship, and was instrumental in supporting a market/apartment analysis in the great Berkley area, initial presentations to the City’s Chamber of Commerce and DDA Board, as well as meeting with neighbors. He is currently attending the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, studying business.
Designhaus Architects
Auburn Hills-based Designhaus Architecture is an expert in multifamily design and architecture with a portfolio spanning properties throughout the United States. Locally, they are known for designing Brown Iron Brewhouse in Royal Oak, The Jordan apartments in Auburn Hills, and several retail updates alongside Oak Park’s 11 Mile corridor.
Bringing a unique perspective to The Columbia project, Designhaus Architects emphasizes brand development by providing consistency from interior design and graphics to building and site design. Specializing in private sectors such as multifamily, professional office, retail, and more, their experience and reach begins locally but extends globally. The Designhaus approach is rooted in providing world-class designs, making them an invaluable asset to The Columbia real estate project in Berkley.
Giffels Webster
The Columbia project is also supported by the expertise of a Detroit-based firm encompassing civil engineers, landscape architects, planners, and GIS specialists. Giffels Webster is one of Michigan’s most prominent civil engineering firms, and the company is heavily involved in Detroit’s comeback, as well as iconic public and private spaces all around metro Detroit, such as the Detroit Pistons Performance Center, Campus Martius, Police Athletic League, City of Clawson Downtown Plan, and more. Their collaborative approach focuses on enhancing the quality of life in communities. Giffels Webster works closely with local government bodies and community development groups to create comprehensive transportation and infrastructure plans, ensuring community enjoyment while prioritizing safety and functionality of projects overall.
The Columbia will feature rental rates aligned with today’s market value, intended to attract a mix of tenants, including single people and young professionals who work for the nearby Beaumont Hospital (an audience in need of housing options). There is a high demand for those who want to stay in the area, but do not own a home, positioning The Columbia as a great solution. The project will also offer options for residents in the area who wish to downsize, but maintain residence in the Berkley area.
There will be a proposed 57 apartment units available, ranging from 600 square feet to 1,300 square feet. The Columbia will offer a mix of one-bedroom, studio, and loft apartments.
As members of the community ourselves, we understand the importance of communication with our neighbors. The development team owns a block and a half on Coolidge, spanning from Cambridge to a half-block past Columbia, where three duplexes currently sit, totaling six units. These existing duplexes, owned by the developer of The Columbia, are more than 80 years old and primarily rentals. Our due diligence for this development included a full exploration of options and means to improve and elevate our vision for the project, and as such, we surveyed existing residents and the immediate surrounding neighbors. Through this process, we learned that many of our neighbors welcome the project and have openly provided feedback, with mostly favorable support from the immediate adjacent neighbors to the east.
The buildings will be four stories to conform with the City’s Master Plan and building requirements. The outside perimeter is 34’4″ high, visible from Coolidge, with a peak of 40 feet at the midrise. For neighbor privacy, there are no third-floor balconies on the Eastern side of the building facing homes. Further, we have planned for the rear of the building to have a larger setback than is required by the city—approximately 31ft on the North building and approximately 21ft on the South building—providing more privacy to our neighbors.
There will be two dumpsters, one enclosed in each building, with two chutes for recycling and trash.
This building will be residential, with only apartment units.
The Columbia will feature a first-floor, 80% covered parking. Parking is proportionate with the quantity and location of units in the North and South buildings. If a tenant has more than one vehicle, they will be assigned a tandem space. Additionally, there will be numerous bicycle racks on the property and EV charging stations.
The project eliminates 3 curb cuts along Coolidge, creating additional daytime street parking. Overnight guests can be accommodated by management and should not park on the street. If required, the property’s ownership controls several parking lots next to and across from the building and across the street to serve overnight guests.
The Coolidge road diet reduced speed and calmed traffic, elevating the safety of pedestrians and drivers. It also added more parking, creating 55 new spaces. To support this initiative, The Columbia eliminates 3 curb cuts along Coolidge, creating additional daytime street parking and safer sidewalks due to fewer driveways. Additionally, Project Engineer Giffels Webster completed a traffic study for the project, demonstrating a significant decrease in peak-hour trips for The Columbia compared to a mixed-use project, contributing to safer sidewalks and reduced congestion.
We have met with several homeowners, as well as those on the property line of The Columbia. To help offset the changes brought by the project, we have offered a landscaping credit to all residents on the property line to help beautify their backyards as they see fit. Also, a significantly landscaped greenspace for residents is planned for the southeast corner, which provides further buffering between the building and neighbors.
The third floor will not have protruding balconies. Based on the site plans, imposing downward views on private property is impossible. Additionally, a high-quality masonry wall with landscaping will create a buffer between the project and neighboring homes immediately east of the property.
The building will create a buffer for the neighborhood from noise and light from Coolidge including from ambulances, traffic noise and headlights. The majority of lights will be under the building. There will be eight shielded wall sconces for foot traffic facing the apartments’ first floor parking, and there will be no parking lot light poles. The city’s planning consultants Hubbell, Roth & Clark determined there is no light pollution and the development meets city code. We have also placed mechanicals, like air conditioning units, on the roof on the Coolidge Highway side to reduce noise.
The Department of Public Services believes this development will improve stormwater in the area. We will be installing a modern stormwater retention system that will benefit not just the project, but also nearby residents. The Department of Public Works requested some lining and replacement of the water main and sewer, which would also be an improvement. Based on the response from the city, there is enough capacity in both the sewer and water to accommodate this project. Additionally, a cutting-edge surveillance system facing the property is aimed at enhancing safety in the area and deterring criminal activity.
GIFFELS WEBSTER
The Columbia project is also supported by the expertise of a Detroit-based firm encompassing civil engineers, landscape architects, planners, and GIS specialists. Giffels Webster is one of Michigan’s most prominent civil engineering firms, and the company is heavily involved in Detroit’s comeback, as well as iconic public and private spaces all around metro Detroit, such as the Detroit Pistons Performance Center, Campus Martius, Police Athletic League, City of Clawson Downtown Plan, and more. Their collaborative approach focuses on enhancing the quality of life in communities. Giffels Webster works closely with local government bodies and community development groups to create comprehensive transportation and infrastructure plans, ensuring community enjoyment while prioritizing safety and functionality of projects overall.
DESIGNHAUS ARCHITECTS
Auburn Hills-based Designhaus Architecture is an expert in multifamily design and architecture with a portfolio spanning properties throughout the United States. Locally, they are known for designing Brown Iron Brewhouse in Royal Oak, The Jordan apartments in Auburn Hills, and several retail updates alongside Oak Park’s 11 Mile corridor.
Bringing a unique perspective to The Columbia project, Designhaus Architects emphasizes brand development by providing consistency from interior design and graphics to building and site design. Specializing in private sectors such as multifamily, professional office, retail, and more, their experience and reach begins locally but extends globally. The Designhaus approach is rooted in providing world-class designs, making them an invaluable asset to The Columbia real estate project in Berkley.
WJ VENTURES
The Developer, Wayne Wudyka of WJ Ventures, not only lives in Berkley with his family, but has also invested in the city for decades. He is the CEO of CRDN (Certified Restoration Drycleaning Network) on Coolidge, and owner of Huntington Cleaners on the corner of Coolidge and 11 Mile. He has a history of active involvement in the community, having served in various capacities, such as the president of the local Chamber of Commerce and the Berkley Downtown Development Authority. His contributions include funding multiple city events, supporting local programs like the Berkley K-9 Program, supporting the parks and schools, and sponsoring initiatives like Berkley CruiseFest. In addition to owning properties in Berkley, numerous properties around Oak Park, Huntington Woods, Birmingham and Lansing.
WJ VENTURES
Wayne is a Birmingham resident and has been in business in Berkley, Huntington Woods, and Oak Park for more than 30 years. He is an avid supporter and investor of the community, in the past, present, and future. WJ Ventures and Wayne own properties across Cambridge and Columbia and across the street, plus he has co-developed various single-family homes and other real estate in Berkley. He is the CEO and co-founder of Certified Restoration Drycleaning Network (CRDN), the country’s leading expert in textile and full contents restoration, headquartered in Berkley. He is also the CEO and co-owner of Huntington Cleaners and Camelot Cleaners, located near The Columbia development, and Wesch Cleaners in Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills.
His past involvement in the community includes serving as the president of the local Chamber of Commerce and the Berkley Downtown Development Authority. He and his businesses have also participated in and funded various city programs and events, such as BOO!kley, the Berkley Street Art Fest, the K-9 Program and CruiseFest. Wayne and Company have been a Berkley Dad’s Club sponsor for almost 25 years, and Huntington Cleaners routinely donates services for the high school band and football uniforms. All of which is to say that he and his companies have a vested interest in the success of Berkley as a community.