New affordable housing project honors native community, begins transformation of Waterfront Gateway

The event marks the first construction milestone in the city’s efforts to develop Waterfront Gateway and continues the city’s commitment to creating affordable housing in Vancouver

VANCOUVER – City of Vancouver leaders, community leaders, and development partners will gather from 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Aug. 27, for the ceremonial groundbreaking of a new affordable housing community. The event marks the first construction milestone in the city’s efforts to develop Waterfront Gateway and continues the city’s commitment to creating affordable housing in Vancouver through the Affordable Housing Fund.

“This groundbreaking symbolizes more than the start of construction; it is a sign of our commitment to creating affordable housing in Vancouver,” said Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. “The partners assembled on this project represent a shared vision for equity, sustainability, and cultural inclusion, values that will shape the future of our Waterfront Gateway and ensure it remains a place where all Vancouver residents can thrive.”

The project, located at 615 W. 6th Street and developed by Colas Development Group (CDG) and Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), will transform the 0.92-acre site into a six-story 95-unit building offering a mix of affordable studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. The city invested $1.27 million from its Affordable Housing Fund, sold the land for $1 to ensure affordability, leveraged the state’s construction sales tax exemption, and reduced impact fees to make this community possible.

Scott Edwards Architecture says that the building’s architecture is “influenced by Native American ancestry and tribal ties to the land and rivers—the exterior’s façade is inspired by the patterning of Native American-woven baskets made from native plants, the use of color and movement to represent the rivers, and movement in the building’s massing to visually break up its length while expressing the flow of a river.” The project features sustainability measures such as an on-site solar array, electric hot water heat pumps, and healthy materials in an all-electric building.

The partnership formed by CDG and NAYA worked closely with the City of Vancouver and Lincoln (Waterfront Gateway Master Plan Developer) to secure the affordable housing parcel for redevelopment. CDG and NAYA, with support from the Cowlitz Tribe and built by Colas Construction Inc., will deliver a community that is rooted in Native American culture and will attract Native American families and individuals earning between 50% and 60% of the area’s median income.

This is the first of several developments planned for the 6.4-acre Waterfront Gateway District. The redevelopment will connect Vancouver’s Columbia River waterfront with its historic downtown. Waterfront Gateway advances the city’s Strategic Plan by providing much-needed housing to the area, including affordable housing; creating retail opportunities for local small businesses; and designing new public spaces for city events and gatherings.

The development is expected to be complete and ready to lease by February 2027.

Expected speakers include:

• Anne McEnerny-Ogle, Mayor 
• Kim Harless, City Councilor
• Tanna Engdahl, Cowlitz Tribe
• Oscar Arana, NAYA
• Andrew Colas, CDG

For the duration of the event, media can park free of charge in the parking lot adjacent to the event site at 615 W. 6^th Street (enter from Esther Street).

Information provided by the city of Vancouver.