As an innovative partnership between Bellwether Housing and Mercy Housing, this exemplary transit-oriented development project by VIA brings together a unique program of affordable housing, community services, and retail to create an active destination over the new Roosevelt underground light rail station. At 254 units, it will be one of Seattle’s largest affordable housing projects. Susan Boyd, Bellwether’s CEO, calls it “Seattle’s commitment to an inclusive and just community.”

Cedar Crossing serves a diverse array of resident income levels. The team’s design focused on families by providing a significant number of two- and three-bedroom units. At ground level, there is a daycare and four-classroom early learning center operated by El Centro de la Rasa that serves 70 students with a bi-cultural curriculum that emphasizes community building and multi-racial unity. Children’s Hospital and Mary’s Place are also part of the team serving families with children that have experienced homelessness that need critical medical care and need a permanent and safe place to live.

At the core of the concept was creating a hub for the neighborhood. By establishing a through block crossing, we activated both the perimeter and the interior of the block with retail, community spaces, and a plaza that serves as the neighborhood’s heart location. The design and development team worked closely with the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association and their goals for vibrant pedestrian environments and equitable community development.

This project was designed by VIA prior to becoming a Perkins Eastman Studio.