May 1, 2018

311 affordable units for First Hill

Image provided by Plymouth Housing Group [enlarge]

A surplus Sound Transit property at the northeast corner of Madison Street and Boylston Avenue on First Hill could become the site of a 13- to 16-story affordable housing tower.

The project would be jointly developed by Bellwether Housing and Plymouth Housing Group.

The proposal is for approximately 311 apartments over retail, service and community space.

Weber Thompson is the architect.

Bellwether and Plymouth will seek funding this fall and plan to start construction in mid-2020. Completion is slated for 2021.

The Plymouth component would have 111 furnished studio apartments for seniors who have experienced homelessness. Plymouth would also provide property management and social services.

Bellwether would provide around 200 apartments that are affordable to low-income households, including a range of unit sizes for individuals, couples and families.

The First Hill site was acquired by Sound Transit 17 years ago for a proposed light rail station that was never built. Now the agency has agreed to transfer the land to the two organizations for free.

The site shares the block with a 16-story apartment tower that will house a Whole Foods store. It's also accessible to Swedish and Harborview medical centers.

“The Madison/Boylston Project in an inspiring example of how two nonprofits can come together with a welcoming neighborhood and supportive local government to help make Seattle a livable city for all,” said Paul Lambros, Executive Director of Plymouth Housing Group in a statement.

Plymouth owns and operates 1,050 apartments in 14 buildings in Seattle and provides housing with social services for about 1,200 residents each year.

Bellwether Housing is the largest private, nonprofit affordable housing provider in Seattle. Since 1980 it has developed, owned and operated a total of 2,100 units in 32 buildings throughout Seattle.