In response to the widely expressed need for more Orcas rental housing, OPAL Community Land Trust has signed a purchase and sale agreement to acquire nearly four acres on North Beach Road – across from Children’s House and north of the orchard – in order to build approximately 30 units of affordable rental housing.

The property, owned by Jim and Betsy Nelson of Olga, will be developed over the next several years. “Betsy and I are happy that this property will be serving a community purpose.” said Jim Nelson. “There is a real need for more affordable rental housing on Orcas Island. This feels right to us.” The Nelsons will retain ownership of the adjoining orchard.

In announcing the land acquisition, Lisa Byers, OPAL executive director, also announced the selection of Environmental Works Community Design Center, Seattle, as the project architect. The firm specializes in community facilities, affordable housing and other public works. OPAL’s building committee recommended hiring Environmental Works after reviewing proposals from 11 architectural firms and interviewing five finalists. The landscape architect will be John Barker, and the civil engineer will be Greg Bronn with Hart Pacific Engineering.

OPAL estimates the cost of the new rental housing project at $9.2 million, with over 90 percent of the funding coming from federal and state grants, tax credits and loans. The balance will be raised through donations from private individuals and foundations.

Prior to starting the design process, OPAL is soliciting community input over the next few months to determine how many homes of what sizes to construct. A series of focus group discussions are scheduled for late June. These will include neighboring property owners, islanders who are currently seeking rental housing, and realtors, employers, the schools, EPRC members, community leaders, and social service providers.

An initial design charrette is planned in July. There will also be other opportunities over the summer for the community to discuss the project at the Farmer’s Market and other venues. “We want to hear what the community has to say,” said Byers.

This will be OPAL’s first all-new construction project since building the Wild Rose Meadow neighborhood, across from the Medical Center, from 2005 to 2010. Since then OPAL has concentrated on relocating and “recycling” existing houses and renovating the eight buildings and 22 units of the Lavender Hollow Apartments.

Incorporated in 1989, OPAL serves 132 rental and ownership Orcas Island households and continues to accept applications from people who are not able to purchase a house in the traditional market. For more information, go to: www.opalclt.org or call (360) 376-3191.