Mahonia Crossing opens with 300+ units of affordable, intergenerational housing in Salem’s South Gateway neighborhood
October 30, 2024
The new “Community For All Ages” features on-site programming and green space designed to help families and seniors thrive and connect across generations
SALEM, Ore., Oct. 29, 2024 — Elected officials, housing leaders and new residents celebrated Tuesday’s grand opening of Mahonia Crossing, an affordable housing community that bridges generations by connecting families, seniors and surrounding neighborhoods on a 14-acre campus that expands the region’s supply of affordable housing at a time of pressing need.
The campus of 313 units in 18 buildings began leasing late last year and is now nearly fully occupied. Its apartments are reserved for residents who earn 30 to 80 percent of the area’s median income — in Marion County, that is $27,390 to $73,040 for a family of four. It was developed and is owned by Community Development Partners (CDP), a mission-driven developer of affordable housing whose previous projects include Fairhaven Gardens in northeast Salem, as well as communities in Portland, Hood River, Gresham, Oregon City, La Grande, St. Helens and elsewhere. CDP’s resident services partner at Mahonia Crossing is EngAGE Northwest, which will engage families and residents of all ages with a series of intergenerational activities, from art and technology classes to after-school clubs to outdoor education opportunities.
“We are pleased to offer a focus on intergenerational living in our newest Community for All Ages,” said Eric Paine, CEO of CDP. “Mahonia Crossing is a place where people at every stage of life will feel respected and be provided tools that will help them grow and discover. It offers space for young people and seniors to be enriched by the opportunities to learn together and from one another. We have seen the magic that occurs when such relationships are nurtured and encouraged.”
Mahonia Crossing features a mix of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments. A community building, The Amafa Center, is shared by all residents and includes management offices, a shared kitchen, activity space and seating areas. A series of intentionally designed shared outdoor spaces include community garden beds, play areas, a central plaza, barbecue areas and more. The centrally located Grove Building features units designed for seniors, an elevator, fitness center and community room. Parking is pushed to the perimeter, allowing residents to walk between buildings and green spaces.
Executing a vision, meeting a need
The completion of Mahonia Crossing signals significant achievements in both land-use planning and financing.
Lying south of the intersection of Kuebler Boulevard and Battle Creek Road, Mahonia Crossing is a signature piece in the multi-asset development of south Salem’s Woodscape community. Planner-developer John Miller, who owned and envisioned a productive future for the 175-acre parcel where he played as a boy, turned to Community Development Partners to execute his vision for an integrated, 15-acre affordable housing community. Mahonia Crossing is nestled among the other components Miller has thoughtfully developed, including residential neighborhoods, Pringle Elementary School and especially natural features, such as parks, woods and wetlands.
“I continue to marvel at Eric Paine and the CDP team’s unwavering dedication to perfecting the craft of community building,” Miller said. “It is a complex and difficult process that requires constant attention and ongoing course corrections to balance the needs of people, place, and the natural world. Mahonia Crossing is a remarkable addition to our Woodscape Community.”
The development of Mahonia Crossing emerged from a wide-ranging and rigorous study conducted with the help of Portland State University’s Center for Public Interest Design, which researched, surveyed and mapped assets and challenges of the surrounding area. This included many meetings with Salem community members and organizations, whose input shaped the design of buildings, shared spaces, and on-site programming. Access to green space ranked among the top priorities for neighbors who had previously used the site to walk their dogs, watch wildlife and bring their kids to run around.
Scott Edwards Architecture and PLACE designed the campus to promote connection by integrating the interior and exterior experiences and offering opportunities for passive and active multi-generational interactions. For example, the viewing decks in the senior-oriented Grove Building overlook plazas and paths, and its fitness center will attract residents of all ages. Also, the site was arranged around a stand of older native Oregon white oaks. Several of the older trees were preserved and many younger trees were removed and stored at Mahonia Nursery until they were replanted on-site. The tree-lined paths and park-like areas throughout Mahonia Crossing provide generous green space for residents and neighbors.
The design team partnered with a local elementary school to procure student-made collages, paintings, and drawings featured in the senior building. The community building also incorporates art, including a mural running the length of the building’s corridor. The mural, created by artist Davey Barnwell, references local landmarks and nature-based iconography, using vibrant, saturated colors to depict them. The piece was painted with the help of residents during an event led by Barnwell.
The entire development is designed to Earth Advantage Platinum standards. Also, the community building uses cross-laminated timber, with a rooftop solar array, and achieved Energy Trust of Oregon’s Path to Net Zero Certification.
The unique development will meet some unique needs, such as providing housing for people who lost homes during Oregon wildfires, and for agricultural workers and their families.
For the 184-unit first phase of Mahonia Crossing, funding included a 4 percent Low Income Housing Tax Credit allocation with equity investment by R4 Capital; Local Innovation Fast Track (LIFT) funds, Market Cost Offset Funds (MCOF-GHAP) Agricultural Workforce Housing Tax Credits (AWHTC), and tax-exempt bonds from Oregon Housing and Community Services; a HOME grant from the City of Salem; 56 project-based section 8 vouchers awarded by the Salem Housing Authority; and an Energy Trust of Oregon grant. Construction financing was provided by Umpqua Bank and permanent financing is being provided by Citi.
For the 129-unit second phase, funding included recycled bonds from another CDP development, Rockwood Village in Gresham. While bond recycling is common in other states, it was a first for Oregon and allowed the state’s bonds to go further toward addressing Oregon’s deep need for affordable housing. Phase II also received $25.2 million in state Wildfire Direct LIFT funds. Construction and permanent loans are provided by Citi.
The project is owned by Community Development Partners, designed by Scott Edwards Architecture and PLACE and was built by Gerding Builders. Resident services are provided by EngAGE Northwest and property management by Guardian.
###
About Community Development Partners
Founded in 2011, Community Development Partners develops and operates sustainable, life-enhancing affordable housing with a focus on long term community engagement and innovative design. As a mission-driven, forward-thinking organization, CDP is focused exclusively on creating vibrant affordable housing communities that incorporate art, public parks, gardens, fresh food, and cultural and social programming. Today, CDP has built, preserved or is actively developing over 55 unique projects comprising 5,100+ affordable homes throughout Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado.
EngAGE Northwest takes a whole-person approach to creative, healthy living by providing arts, wellness, lifelong learning, community building, and intergenerational programs to residents in affordable housing communities. Programs are provided on-site at each of our communities and are open to all residents at no charge. This reduces the primary barriers to engagement – cost and transportation – and maximizes our impact. EngAGE, Inc., founded in 1999, now serves more than 6,000 residents of all ages in California and Oregon.
