Buying right: Anchorage Neighborhood Housing Services merged with Dokoozian and Associates, looking for a match that helps communities grow and prosper and to provide affordable housing to residents.

In a move that's a first for Alaska, Anchorage Neighborhood Housing Services Inc. purchased a portion of Dokoozian and Associates March 1, 2006, and created Dokoozian Construction LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of ANHS. Debe Mahoney, executive director for ANHS, called the move "a good fit for both organizations."

According to Mahoney, ANHS and its board spent the last year working on a new business plan. As a part of that plan, the nonprofit looked for opportunities that would bring income and make it more sustainable and less dependent upon its parent organization, NeighborWorks[R] America.

That process, Mahoney said, involved looking at building and affordable housing trends in the Alaska market, as well as evaluating ANHS' strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. It was this process--as well as a friendly conversation between Mahoney and George Haley, former operations manager of Dokoozian and Associates and now general manager of Dokoozian Construction LLC-which led them to the merger. Both said they respected the other's abilities and business goals, and were looking for more opportunities to work together.

A RELATIONSHIP THAT LASTS

The two had joined on a variety of building projects over the years, several involved funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which brought with it federal regulations and requirements.

"We had talked about the number of organizations that can build HUD-funded projects in Alaska," Mahoney said, "and there is still more need than there is capacity to fill it. Dokoozian already has built HUD projects, and has capacity built in. It seemed to us that by joining forces, we could enhance the ability to bring that kind of funding and housing into the state."

Haley echoed Mahoney's comments.

"We began working together in the mid-'90s," he said, "and after working with them (ANHS) for the last decade, I felt that their values and what they want to accomplish is so much in alignment with ours."

FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT

ANHS has a number of future construction and rehabilitation projects in its sights and Dokoozian brought some of its current projects into the sale, Mahoney and Haley both said there is room for more.

"We began working together in the mid-'90s," he said, "and after working with them (ANHS) for the last decade, I felt that their values and what they want to accomplish is so much in alignment with ours."

ANHS has a number of future construction and rehabilitation projects in its sights and Dokoozian brought some of its current projects into the sale; Mahoney and Haley both said there is room for more.

Current projects on Dokoozian Construction's books include an expansion of the Alaska Airlines terminal in Nome and a new retail center on the corner of 36th Avenue and the Old Seward Highway in Anchorage. They're also working on the conversion of the old Sadler's warehouse building into nearly 50,000 square feet of office space, under contract to the Anchorage Community Land Trust, and a new entrance to the Special Olympics' building in Mountain View (Anchorage). Both projects are part of the revitalization of the Mountain View neighborhood.

"We have a few other jobs with developers we've worked with for years," Haley said, "and we have some tenant improvements and interior work on other projects."

ANHS, with Dokoozian Construction's assistance, hopes to begin major rehabilitation work on many of its more than 1,000 rental units, and construction of new affordable housing for home ownership.

"We own a couple of acres in Independence Park," Mahoney said, "and we hope to build mixed-market housing for sale. We see it as a way to help ourselves and help others at the same time."

Haley, who said he has been building in Alaska for more than 30 years, added that he's excited to have these projects on his horizon.

"I've had a lot of experience with building multi-family projects," he said, "going back to my days at Independence Park and jobs I've done for Cook Inlet Housing Authority. I've done commercial and residential projects--everything from high-rise buildings to post offices in rural Alaska, to housing facilities for the FAA in Nome. I've done duplexes and four-plexes and malls and schools," he added. "I've pretty much run the gamut. And I'll continue to do those projects under ANHS. We'll build whatever the parent company brings to the table."

THE MISSION

ANHS' mission is to support affordable housing options and to revitalize Anchorage neighborhoods through the design and implementation of community development initiatives. Its Web site said the organization serves as a catalyst for long-term change through the use of public and private partnerships and the involvement of the greater community. With the acquisition of Dokoozian, however, ANHS has expanded its horizons to include construction projects throughout the entire state.

"This kind of merger may have been done by one or two other NeighborWorks organizations," Mahoney said, "but it's not a common thing. The NeighborWorks America folks are excited about this because it's an avenue of income generation that also provides a service to the community."

Haley said he sees Dokoozian Construction growing stronger because of its relationship with ANHS.

"It gives us a whole new market. It's like having a customer right downstairs," he said.

Haley added that he was particularly happy about his ability under the merger to bring all 12 of his staff with him.

"Our customers are used to our staff, and so are municipal building officials. We've worked to develop a level of trust, and we won't lose that because our staff is still doing the same jobs they were doing under the former management.

"We're the same team, but better with the addition of the nonprofit parent," Haley said. "ANHS brings management strength with their board of directors that I think will benefit Dokoozian Construction.

"This kind of relationship is unique in Alaska," Haley said. "It's unique that a housing organization such as ANHS owns a construction company. I think it's ingenious, and I'm glad it could happen."

Dokoozian Construction LLC will be located in the offices of ANHS at 480 West Tudor Road.