Construction will soon begin on 235 affordable housing units at King County Metro’s property just east of Northgate Station, the region’s premier transit hub connecting the community with buses and Link light rail.

King County Executive Dow Constantine announced today the start of construction on a 235-unit affordable housing project at King County Metro’s Northgate property after financing and permits are finalized this month. The housing project is part of King County’s ongoing and successful transit-oriented development program. At Northgate Station, residents can easily access Sound Transit Link light rail 1 Line service and 21 local and regional bus routes operated by King County Metro, Community Transit, and Sound Transit.

A partnership between BRIDGE Housing Corporation, Community Roots Housing construct the six-story building on one acre of the property, which is under a development agreement and 75-year ground lease with BRIDGE Housing. King County’s Department of Community and Human Services contributed $30 million in county affordable housing funding. Construction is anticipated to be completed in Fall 2025 and Community Roots Housing will operate the facility when it opens.

“We’re making affordable housing at every level in King County,” said Executive Constantine. “Northgate is the region’s most popular transit hub and offers fast, frequent bus and train service connecting communities. Housing projects like this give people back time they would have spent in traffic – reducing pollution and ensuring a healthier future for everyone.”

All units will be affordable to households earning 60 percent or less of the area median income – in 2023, that’s $82,200 for a family of four. The development will provide a mix of unit sizes including 54 two- or three-bedroom units, and 24 units will be reserved for system-connected households.

Aerial architectural rendering of the planned six-story affordable housing project at NorthgateThe land, valued at approximately $12.85 million, is currently part of the Northgate Park & Ride. King County and Metro will provide the land to affordable housing developers BRIDGE Housing Corporation and Community Roots Housing for a long-term, $1-per-year lease. BRIDGE will aggregate financing and manage the Northgate project construction, while Community Roots Housing will manage the property long-term.

Architectural rendering of the planned six-story affordable housing project at NorthgateA previous arrangement to jointly fund the Northgate transit-oriented development project with $10 million from the City of Seattle was modified by a subsequent multi-property agreement to shift city and county funding among several jointly funded housing projects, leading to the County increasing its investment in Northgate.

“BRIDGE Housing congratulates our partners at Community Roots Housing and King County on reaching this important milestone for Northgate, laying the foundation for an inclusive, equitable, transit-oriented community in alignment with our 40-year commitment to fostering vibrant and accessible neighborhoods,” said Ken Lombard, President and CEO of BRIDGE Housing Corporation. “Today’s celebration shows the progress we can achieve when we work together to meaningfully address the region’s housing crisis. While much work lies ahead, we’re proud to partner with this stellar team to help improve the lives of working families in King County.”

“A fundamental part of Community Roots Housing’s approach to developing housing is elevating community priorities. We know we need more affordable housing, and we know it needs to be coupled with resources that provide access to opportunity. This project combines affordable housing, family-sized units, on-site childcare, and sustainable design, all right next to one of the most significant transit hubs in the region,” said Christopher Persons, CEO of Community Roots Housing. “This milestone represents a step toward a more connected, accessible, and thriving community in North Seattle.”

In 2020, King County announced a predevelopment agreement with BRIDGE and Community Roots Housing for approximately 48,000 square feet of the Northgate property that currently provides 185 parking spaces. Metro intends to hold the remaining more than 2 acres of surrounding property until further notice, and the balance of the property will function as a park-and-ride with 263 spaces.

Surrounding transit-oriented parking lots and garages provide up to 1,212 parking spaces for transit customers. Over the next several years, Metro has the opportunity to look at the evolving service needs of the area and align the future of the property with plans for transit-oriented development.

“Access to reliable mobility is fundamental to the success of our community.  The opportunity to build affordable housing just steps from Metro’s Northgate Transit Center and the new Link Light Rail station will be life-changing for the eventual residents of this building,” said Councilmember Rod Dembowski. “This moment is the culmination of years of hard work by Metro, County staff, and our partners, including those in the State Legislature, and I am excited to see it move forward and add new housing units to the growing Northgate community.”

“By pairing affordable housing with access to buses and trains, we’re providing mobility options for all,” said King County Metro General Manager Michelle Allison. “We’re proud to join with project partners to mark the launch of construction and look forward to meeting our future neighbors.”

“I like the fact that I can walk out of my building and get on the light rail, get on the streetcar, get on the bus,” said Sebastian, a resident at the Pride Place TOD project operated by Community Roots Housing. “I have a bike, so I can bike to Volunteer Park or bike anywhere. I’m connected to everything I need.”

“I’m so glad I was able to stay in the city because if I had to move down south, I wouldn’t have access to so many opportunities,” said Che, a resident at Station House TOD project operated by Community Roots Housing. “Having that proximity of being in a good location has had a pretty profound impact on my life and career… (My building) is in such a central location, it’s easy to get around, hop on the light rail, go see my kids.”

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