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Developers update Fairview council on revised ‘Heart of Fairview’ plan, timeline
Summary
Developers presented a revised concept for the Heart of Fairview site that consolidates housing into two elevator-served buildings, increases residential units to 166, and reserves about 16,000–19,500 sq ft of street-front commercial space; the council discussed tenant attraction, affordability targets and an MOU extension for the project timeline.
Developers told the Fairview City Council on Sept. 18 that the Heart of Fairview redevelopment has been retooled to concentrate housing into two elevator-served buildings and to create stronger commercial frontage and public spaces.
The presenter said the updated design includes about 166 residential units and roughly 19,500 square feet of active street-front space, of which approximately 16,000 square feet is commercial. “This is a project that we built a couple of years ago in Spokane. It’s called Boxcar,” the presenter said, describing the team’s experience and design precedents and adding that the same principals will remain on the Fairview work.
Why it matters: the redesign shifts from smaller "garden-style" walk-up buildings to larger elevator-served structures intended to improve unit quality, create a consistent street edge on Halsey and Village, and better connect the central plaza and public park to the commercial corner on Halsey. Developers said relocating parking to the rear of buildings and programming public spaces are central to their approach.
Councilors and members of the public pressed the team on access, amenities and affordability. In response to questions about Americans with Disabilities Act access, the presenter said the new buildings include elevators and that prior schemes relied on ground-floor accessible units. On amenities, one resident asked if a swimming pool could be included; the presenter said it is feasible but cautioned that pools carry significant operating and maintenance costs and that a smaller spa or splash facility might be more practical.
On affordability, the developer said the project targets workforce housing priced for households at roughly 80%–120% of area median income (AMI) and noted that deeper income-restricted affordable housing (for example, units delivered through low-income housing tax credits) is not the team’s current focus. The presenter said the plan could be adjusted to reduce units for additional parking if the council prefers a different parking ratio.
Construction approach and schedule: the team said it owns a modular factory at the Port of Portland and can deliver modular units, but it is keeping both site-built and modular options open. The presenter described the plan as intentionally flexible: "If it is[modular], we will build it modular. If it’s not, we will not." The developers said delays in capital markets and the recent real-estate downturn are reasons they are seeking a longer MOU runway so the work already completed is not lost; they indicated a project-completion horizon near 2029 under favorable market conditions.
What’s next: staff told council the current memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the developer expires Oct. 31; staff intends to bring an item at the second council meeting in October to consider an extension (council discussed extending MOU dates into next spring). The presenters and city staff said they will return with more detail and be available for questions before the council acts.
Ending: council thanked the presenters and invited further information; the matter remains under review and the council will consider a formal MOU extension in October.
