REACH and I go way back. I served on the board and as board president back in the mid-1990's. So I am pre-disposed to the organization and their products.
But wow. Gray's Landing, known as Block 59 for several years, was first conceived about 10 years ago as the South Waterfront was being developed. The real estate bust put the project on the back burner and the realities of low income housing development, being done by a for profit developer, made the project less than attractive. The for profit developer got a ways on the project, including full on plans, before bowing out. REACH responded to an RFP and was chosen, perhaps in part because REACH was looking for new office space and agreed to lease a fair portion of the ground floor commercial space.
Taking over mid-stream, REACH was able to make a few adjustments to the overall plan, but not a lot. The courtyard had been primarily for waste water filtering and disposal. REACH opted for an eco-roof (largest one in the city) which allowed them to make the courtyard available as a community space.
The eco-roof has some growing to do.
REACH also opted for some solar hot water heating, which should heat slightly over 40% of the building's water. REACH also increased the size of the community room as they value having a space for gathering, exercise classes, cooking demonstrations, financial literacy classes and the like.
A few other cool features of this building include the street car stop right outside. AND, REACH is providing a room for the street car drivers break room as Gray's Landing is at the end of the line. In turn, Tri-Met passes will be made available at a deeply discounted rate Tenants will be required to take a "green systems" course teaching them about the building and in exchange, will receive a pass. Each floor of the building has a laundry room. There are parking spaces for about 50% of the units, available at no fee on a first come first served basis.
The target population for this building are folks earning at or below 60% of median Family Income ($30,660 for a single person). In addition there are 42 apartments targeted to low income veterans who have been homeless within the past two years.
The thing about REACH is, that in addition to being a provider and developer of low income housing, REACH also provides a variety of support systems and resources to help their tenants weather challenges and make it through tough times.
Oh and did I say the project came in early, and I believe under budget?! Way to go REACH!
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