Affordable housing project at Northgate Metro site takes step forward
Sep 21, 2021, 8:07 AM
The elevated tracks running through Northgate. (Photo courtesy of Sound Transit)
(Photo courtesy of Sound Transit)
King County, BRIDGE Housing Corporation, and Community Roots Housing are moving forward with a plan to build 232 affordable housing units near the soon-to-open Northgate Link light rail station.
Trains without passengers start running on Northgate Link segment
The project is receiving $20 million in county affordable housing funding in coordination with the City of Seattle as part of a regional approach.
All 232 units will be affordable to households earning 60% or less of the area median income, which is $69,400 for a family of four in 2021. There will be at least 52 two- or three-bedroom units, and 24 reserved for system-connected households.
The land is currently part of the Northgate Park & Ride, valued at $12.85 million. The affordable housing units will be built on the northern side of the existing parking lot. The land has been provided to affordable housing developers by King County and Metro for a long-term, $1-per-year lease. BRIDGE Housing Corporation will aggregate funding and manage the construction, while Community Roots Housing will manage the property long-term.
Groundbreaking is expected to happen in 2023, after the King County Council reviews the development agreement.
“More than ever, our region is making meaningful progress toward delivering housing affordable at every level,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “By building housing near transit hubs, with fast and frequent service, we give people back the hours they would have spent sitting in traffic. By reducing emissions and congestion, transit-oriented development helps tackle the climate crisis so our future is healthier for everyone.”
In 2020, a predevelopment agreement was announced for 48,000 square feet of the Northgate property. Metro will hold more than 2 acres of the surrounding property until 2024, when the light rail station in Lynnwood is expected to open. The needs of the area will continue to be evaluated in the coming years.
Who named Seattle’s Northgate Mall?
The Northgate light rail station is set to open to passengers on Oct. 2, along with the new University District and Roosevelt stations. The Kraken Community Iceplex at Northgate opened on Sept. 10.
