New apartment complex breaking ground in downtown Vancouver

Portland-based DBG Properties LLC will break ground next week on a new $17.4 million affordable housing complex in downtown Vancouver. Located at the southwest corner of 15th and Columbia streets, the 120-unit complex will be known as the 15 West Apartments. Once finished, it will house families earning 60 percent or less of the area median.

New apartment complex breaking ground in downtown Vancouver

“I am very happy to undertake my company’s first affordable multi-family apartment community here in Vancouver; the city and city staff have been welcoming and great to work with,” said Walter Grodahl, managing partner of DBG Properties. Grodahl owns and manages approximately 9,000 units of affordable housing across the nation.

Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt will represent city staff during a project groundbreaking ceremony at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8.

In addition, 15 West Apartments LLC will donate $25,700 to Vancouver-based Affordable Community Environments (ACE) doing business as REACH Community Development to support nonprofit activities in Clark County.

“Partnerships between local nonprofits and developers are a great way to serve the community with high quality affordable housing and services,” said Leah Greenwood, housing development project manager for REACH Community Development, in a press release.

Professional services including architecture and civil/structural engineering were provided to DBG Properties by Vancouver-based Otak Inc. Real estate brokerage was provided by Gordon Lewis and Bob Bernhardt of Coldwell Banker Commercial of Vancouver.

15 West Apartments is expected to be complete by June 2015.