(The Center Square) – Construction of an affordable housing complex in Bellevue intended to provide close access to public transportation broke ground last week.
The Spring District transit-oriented development project will create 234 affordable housing units in two multi-story buildings in Bellevue. These buildings are a short distance from the Spring District Link light rail station that opened last spring.
Units range from studio apartments to three-bedroom homes for households earning 60% of the area median income of $161,300 and below. Out of the 234 units, 40 will be set aside for people with developmental disabilities.
According to Sound Transit, creating more affordable housing near light rail stations is a key step in realizing its vision for a transit-oriented community on the Eastside.
Last December, the agency conveyed the two development lots appraised at $16.25 million to the San Francisco-based nonprofit BRIDGE Housing at no cost in order to expand the region’s affordable housing capacity.
When BRIDGE Housing was selected to develop the project in 2020, estimated costs for the project totaled over $500 million.
Sound Transit previously estimated annual ground rent to total a minimum of $1.36 million. The agency will receive 1% of gross sales proceeds as profit participation upon the first sale of an office or market-rate housing building.
On Feb. 27, Amazon stated it will send $100 million toward the project to decrease construction time by one to two years. Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson praised the company for funding the city’s affordable housing needs.
“We have a courageous and dedicated partner in Amazon, who recognizes the complex and pressing needs of the moment and joins us in developing innovative solutions,” Robinson said in a statement. “This gives me confidence in our future.”
The $100 million stems from Amazon’s $3.6 billion initiative to preserve and create 35,000 affordable homes across the Puget Sound, National Capital, and Nashville regions, where Amazon offices are located.
Last year, Amazon contributed a total of $68 million to 120 Washington state community partners for housing, education, and food security projects.
Sound Transit anticipates the project to be completed in late 2026. Amazon expects completion specifically in November 2026.
