An affordable-housing project next to Tacoma Community College appears to be a high priority for Pierce County officials who have contributed millions of dollars towards its completion.
According to Tacoma Housing Authority, the project known as Aviva Crossing is to roughly nits of mixed-income housing and 30,000 square feet of commercial retail space, enough to accommodate 13 commercial tenants.
The Pierce County Council’s summer supplemental budget passed on Sept. 10 included a $1.865 million allocation towards the project to help offset unanticipated costs related to construction utilities infrastructure.
Aviva Crossing is in Pierce County Council member Robyn Denson’s district. Denson told The News Tribune the $1.865 million came from the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Sales Tax fund . She said the council previously voted to give the project roughly $4 million in American Rescue Plan Funding.
U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer (D, 6th District) helped earmark nearly $1 million for the project earlier this year.
According to a recent notice of public hearing from the Washington State Housing Finance Commision, the project has an estimated cost of $43.4 million.
Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier also supported Aviva Crossing, calling it a “cost-effective,” long-term solution to the housing crisis when he asked the council to redirect additional funding to it.
“Developing affordable housing is a priority for the whole council,” Denson said in an interview with The News Tribune. “The housing crisis is real.”
Denson said the project is such high priority due to its location next to Tacoma Community College, the Pierce Transit bus station and local amenities in James Town Center, such as the Fred Meyer grocery store, FedEx and local banks. It would also be near the future final stop for the Tacoma Link light rail, expected to be finished more than a decade from now.
According to Denson, the project would play a part in the economic development of the area as it would allow people to live close to available jobs and give affordable housing to folks who want to invest in their careers at Tacoma Community College. She also said Aviva Crossing would help redevelop and reinvest in the James Town Center area.
According to April Black of the Tacoma Housing Authority, Aviva Crossing will haveapproximately 500 new housing units, all of which will be priced affordably, ranging from 30-80% Area Median Income (AMI).
According to recent U.S. Census Bureau Data from 2022, Tacoma’s AMI is about $43,000 annually for an individual and roughly $79,000 per household.
Aviva Crossing would be built on the James Center North lot. According to Tacoma Housing Authority, James Center North is a little less than seven acres across five parcels, with 62,000 square feet of commercial retail space that is 52 percent occupied.
The development is being planned at 1620 S. Mildred St. The lot is a part of the James Center shopping mall and currently hosts businesses including Taqueria El Sabor, Sushido, and Venus and Mars Hookah Lounge.
According to plans from the Tacoma Housing Authority , the project is planned to have green spaces, parks, sport courts, art installations, and spaces for community events. There is also plans for nearly 500 on-site parking spots, as well as an additional 189 off-site spots shared with the rest of the James Center shopping complex.
The Tacoma Housing Authority did not respond to questions about the projects expected completion date. According to information from Pierce County’s website, it is projected to be completed by Summer 2026.
A spokesperson from the Tacoma Housing Authority said infrastructure construction has begun, and the first housing construction will begin before the end of 2024.
According to the Tacoma Housing Authority, the first 340 units are expected to be open to tenants before the end of 2026. The remaining 150-200 units are anticipated by the end of 2028.
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