New life flows at the former Naval Air Station Sand Point in Seattle.
The largest building on the base was originally constructed as three structures between 1929 and 1941 and served as a bustling barracks and mess hall for 500 sailors. Following the 1991 base closure, the building fell into deep disrepair with portions of the roof collapsing and water collecting throughout the structure.
With each passing year, the building was falling further into disrepair until Mercy Housing Northwest stepped forward to turn the site into Mercy Magnuson Place with 148 affordable homes for residents earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income, and a focus on large families.
The center building, which connects the two residential wings, houses an early-learning center for 95 children as well as a neighborhood health clinic.
“We brought a beautiful structure and site back to life,” says Alisa Luber, senior project developer. “It’s an enormous building with a growing sense of community for residents and the neighborhood alike.”
The reconstruction began with the removal of 135 tractor-trailer loads of contaminated materials. The work then included a seismic retrofit from basement to roof, the installation of new utilities and building systems, and a complete rebuilding of the interior spaces—all while sensitively preserving the exterior and key interior historic elements.
The newly restored building stands at the gateway of Magnuson Park, a 350-acre campus that is home to 30 nonprofit organizations. In addition, Mercy Magnuson Place provides on-site resident services and affordable housing in one of the city’s highest opportunity neighborhoods, with access to high-performing schools and important job centers.
Financing for the $67.5 million project included both 4% and 9% low-income housing tax credits as well as historic tax credits.
