SHA breaks ground on Lake City Commons

Fifteen-unit apartment building contributes to one-for-one replacement housing goals

The Seattle Housing Authority broke ground on September 23 on Lake City Commons, a fifteen-unit apartment building on 30th Ave NE. 

Lake City Commons will contribute 15 units of low-income housing to help replace units that were demolished as a result of the development of NewHolly.  

All the units will be two-bedroom flats, with washer/dryers and dishwashers. One unit will be fully wheelchair accessible. The four-story building will be served by an elevator, so apartments will be available for families who need a unit without stairs. A community room on the ground floor will have a small kitchen and ADA accessible bathroom. A shared deck above the parking structure will provide open space for residents. Corner units will have balconies.  

SHA acquired the plans and permits for Lake City Commons from a private developer. The architect, Wayne Ivary and Associates, worked with SHA to refine the design and take it through the City of Seattle's permitting process.   The capital costs of the project are financed by bonds. Operating subsidy to keep the apartments affordable to household with incomes below 30 percent of the area median will come from project-based Section 8 funds.

Workers from Roy Dunham Co., Redmond, build forms for the building's concrete footings.

If construction goes as planned, the building should be ready for lease up in July of 2003.  

Installation of one of two catch basins. A 63-foot long storm water detention system underneath the apartment building will  help protect water quality in Thornton Creek.