The ribbon has been cut to commemorate the opening of the 144 South Apartments inmSalt Lake City. KIER Construction, as General Contractor, was honored to be one of the teams that brought this new 110-unit affordable community to fruition, especially after the project was shelved three times and finally brought back to life by developer, Peter Corroon.

This addition to Salt Lake City’s Central neighborhood, not only offers a mix of studio and one-bedroom apartments, but it also offers a business center with coworking cubicles, zoom rooms, a conference space, a fitness facility, clubhouse, and bike storage. There is a dog wash and outdoor decks with places to gather and grill.

The 144 South Apartments are designated for people making up to 60% of the area’s median income, or approximately $50k or less. It is also walking distance to bus routes and a TRAX station.

KIER Construction recently broke ground for a new affordable senior housing community in downtown Ogden, Utah. This much needed project is located at 2655 Grant Avenue and is the result of a three-year effort by the Salvation Army to develop their 35th Silvercrest HUD funded property for seniors. Fortunately for all of us, number 35 is in Ogden.

Officer Jacob Bratton with the Salvation Army stated, “The Silvercrest concept is to provide more than just housing – the concept is to provide a “home” for the residents where they can have access to social services and ministries to the whole person while living in a safe, comfortable, and peaceful environment.” This new residence is located next door to Ogden’s Salvation Army Corps building which will aid in creating a strong sense of community.

The 52-unit Ogden Silvercrest Residences will incorporate on-site case management/service
accommodations, social gatherings, recreational activities and educational workshops. Amenities include seven open lounge areas, a community room, a library, an exercise room, a laundry room and a garden area outside.

One of our construction teams has moved to the Mountain, more specifically, Mountain Home, Idaho.

KIER recently began excavation on an 8-acre, site in Mountain Home that will add 60 new affordable living spaces divided between two, three-story buildings. The new community will be known as Falcons Landing. This much needed project is just a start to alleviate the incredible need for workforce housing in Emery County, Idaho where the cost of housing rates surpasses the increase in wages by eleven times.

KIER celebrated the groundbreaking event in late September with the city’s mayor, project owners, design team, news crew, dignitaries, and smiles all around. Falcons Landing is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2024.

With construction costs and interest rates going up, it’s a relief to many that government
funded apartment communities are also on the rise. KIER Construction joined City officials and
dignitaries at the recent groundbreaking for the new 144 South Apartments located on 5th East
in Salt Lake City. This project will add 110-units that will fill a sliver of the housing needs pie in
the downtown area.

Salt Lake City Mayor, Erin Mendenhall, likened the variety of government entities working
together to a new kind of barn raising that is crucial to those people making 50% of the average
median income. The government funding will be returned through the economic output of the
project.

The 144 South Apartment community includes a co-working space for people who work from
home, a space for a dog wash, bike storage and a public café. It is located within a block of
neighborhood bus stops, and walkable distance from the TRAX stations.

THE KIER FAMILY OF COMPANIES COMMEMORATES

60 YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENT

Most businesses fail within the first few years, and most family businesses do not survive a transition from the founders. This year, however, one of Northern Utah’s great family companies will celebrate long odds with a 60th anniversary. The KIER Corporation along with its offspring companies, KIER Construction and KIER Property Management and Real Estate, are still family owned with the third generation actively working in the business. 

The KIER Family of Companies are celebrating the 60th anniversary of their founding. In celebration of their achievements, each company is excited to share a few of the milestones of the last 60 years, while looking forward to the continuance of their enduring legacy. 

Then and Now

The KIER Corporation: on August 7, 1961, Jim and Norma Kier —partners in life—became partners in business when they co-founded KIER Construction, a single-family home builder focused on providing quality homes throughout northern Utah. With growth and development opportunities, together Jim and Norma later incorporated as The KIER Corporation.  The primary vision of the KIER Corporation was to develop affordable Multi Family housing options along the Wasatch Front and beyond.  With her dear husband’s passing in 2005, the KIER Corporation become an asset holding company still managed by the forever young Norma Kier. In her words, “We’ve been blessed with five children working together, and so many wonderful people who became like family through the years. It’s been a busy, busy life, but very rewarding.”

KIER Property Management and Real Estate: the first offspring of the parent company was founded in 1978, and since Jim’s passing has been owned and operated by sisters Bonnie Kier-Herrick and Kimi Kier-Noar. Today, KIER Property Management and Real Estate’s portfolio includes approximately 1,500 residential units and operates over 300,000 square feet of commercial property in three western states. KIER Management leverages a team of well-trained experts, sophisticated accounting and reporting services, and professional maintenance technicians. The Kier sisters are continuing in their parents’ footsteps as demonstrated by their commitment to providing housing solutions for low-income populations, particularly previously unhoused individuals, and seniors, as well as traditional market-rate apartment communities and HOA’s. 

KIER Construction: in 1986 KIER Construction was reborn as the second offspring in the family of companies. Since inception, KIER Construction has been owned and operated by brothers Steve and Scott Kier, and celebrates 2021 as its 35th Anniversary. Today, KIER Construction is consistently listed among Utah’s top 15 General Contractors while averaging annual revenues of $135 million, across nine western states.  KIER Construction has completed over 1,800 projects and employs more than 80 construction professionals who specialize in construction management of both complex commercial projects and multi-unit housing communities. 

James E. and Norma A. Kier Foundation: Jim Kier was once quoted as saying, “If you take out of the community then you need to put it back in. That’s the way I was raised, and that’s the way I’ve always felt.” The James E. and Norma A. Foundation was established in 2005 as a way for the KIER family of companies and all of the Kier family to faithfully support a myriad of philanthropic causes with monetary donations and extensive leadership commitments. The Foundation through its generous, thoughtful, and focused philanthropy is the tool that solidifies the legacy.  

“As we celebrate this 60-year milestone, we as a Kier family and as individual companies are proud of the achievements we’ve made, most importantly the community partnerships we’ve created.  We look forward to the next 60 years of an enduring legacy,” said Steve Kier, Chief Executive Officer of KIER Construction. “We’ve seen a lot of changes over the years, but one thing remains the same – the Kier family is committed to enhancing communities and improving quality of life – one company, one property, and one project at a time.”

The Central Station Apartments are on the rise. This 65-unit community is centrally located in Salt Lake City. Our team; Jason, Shane, Jarrett and Carol have done such a great job that we will soon be breaking ground on Central West, a twin to this project. Thank you Team!!

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