3900 Boulevard

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The City’s 10-acre property at 3900 Boulevard Road will be developed to meet housing needs. Following a competitive process, the City has selected South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity as the preferred development partner. Habitat’s proposal articulates a vision for a mix of owner-occupied townhomes and “senior cottages” with the inclusion of a small neighborhood center. Habitat’s objective is the creation of owner-occupied housing that is affordable to people making 30-80% of the area median income for Thurston County. Approximately 100-110 housing units are anticipated. The homes will be designated as affordable in perpetuity. Over 50% of the homes will be ADA accessible, and all units will be built to the Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard. This establishes criteria that safeguards health and safety, increases durability, promotes sustainable living, preserves the environment and increases energy and water efficiency. The City and Habitat will enter into a 180-day Exclusive Negotiation Agreement that articulates expectations of both parties as they work toward a Purchase and Sale Agreement. During this period Habitat will complete their due diligence for future development of the site, initiate a neighborhood engagement process, refine their development concept and financing plan, and identify an additional development partner to assist with the neighborhood commercial center component. Elements of a successful project: Our vision Early on, the City Council established a set of criteria to guide development of the 10-acres. The following are Council’s elements of a successful project: Housing for a mix of income levels with emphasis on middle-income families Support and participation by the existing neighborhoods in the design and development of the project Environmental sustainability in development, design, and construction Quality design that reflects the character of the surrounding area Inclusion of a neighborhood commercial and community benefit element is encouraged Performance and timeliness of the developer/builder is critical Background On January 5, 2022, the City issued a Solicitation of Interest seeking a development partner for the City owned property at 3900 Boulevard SE. The City received 12 responses which were reviewed and discussed by the City Council on March 22. The Council articulated their top priorities to guide selection, which included the degree of housing affordability, home ownership opportunities and the inclusion of a neighborhood center. Habitat was selected to proceed into an exclusive negotiation agreement with the City as their proposal achieves all three objectives to a high degree. The 10 acres are part of the land the City purchased in 2016 to protect LBA Woods. The 10-acre site borders but does not include the woods. Prior to 2016, the LBA Woods were slated for a major housing development. Responding to community pleas, the City purchased 146 acres, including the 72-acre former Bentridge property and the 74-acre former Trillium property. One aim was to preserve LBA Woods. While laying out its plans to purchase the acreage, the City also established the 10 acres on Boulevard Road as a site to build housing. Together, the saving of the woods and the development of the 10 acres represented a vision of a sustainable, thriving community that could be affordable to Olympia residents. In 2020, the City issued a Request for Qualifications to find a developer. In spring of 2021, following a pause due to the pandemic, The City selected an initial preferred developer, however that arrangement did not materialize. The City is now pleased to move forward with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity. Next steps One of Habitat's first steps will be to host community engagement pertaining to the design and development of the property. Once established, date and location information will be provided on this page.

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