Timber Ridge apartments set to be completed by this fall

“We cannot open soon enough,” said Sarah Parker, executive director of the Northeast Oregon Housing Authority.

Parker said the apartment complex, now about 40% complete, will fill an important void for those struggling to find affordable housing in Northeastern Oregon.

“It is a beacon of hope,” she said.

The $38.2 million, 82-unit housing complex — on a 4.79-acre lot on East Q Avenue between 26th and 27th streets — is expected to be completed by the fall, said James Lee, a project manager for Community Development Partners, of Portland.

The construction of the Timber Ridge apartment complex started in July 2022 and work is continuing to progress on schedule this winter thanks to relatively mild weather conditions.

“The weather has been incredibly helpful,” Lee said.

High winds are limiting some of the work that can be done on floor and roof framing, but the mild weather has allowed steady progress to continue through November, December and into this month.

He noted that while road closures this winter have slowed material deliveries, some of the delays were planned for ahead of time.

“We are hopeful the good weather holds through February into March,” Lee said. “Then we’ll feel we can breathe a bit easier as far as the weather is concerned.”

Community Development Partners is collaborating with Hunt Capital Partners, of Encino, California, and the Northeast Oregon Housing Authority to construct the Timber Ridge apartments.

Hunt Capital Partners is the tax credit syndication division of Hunt Companies. Hunt Capital Partners’ specialties include the sponsorship of federal and state low-income housing.

Northeast Oregon Housing Authority will be the owner and property manager of Timber Ridge, and Community Development Partners is serving as the complex’s developer. Portland-based Bremik Construction is the general contractor.

The apartment units will be available to households earning between 30% and 60% of the region’s median income.

Those who will be eligible to live at Timber Ridge include individuals living alone making $25,000 a year or less, Parker said.

The complex will have 32 one-bedroom units, 26 two-bedroom units, 20 three-bedroom units and two four-bedroom units.

Timber Ridge’s features include a 4,500-

square-foot community building that will have a full kitchen and a large gathering space for community meals, a classroom and an early childhood education center. The community center will house Early Head Start classes provided by Eastern Oregon University Head Start.

The community center will tie in with the multigenerational emphasis the apartment complex will have, Lee said. Portland-based EngAGE Northwest will play a big role in promoting this by leading programs featuring multigenerational activities at Timber Ridge. For example, EngAGE will help put on free arts and creativity, health and wellness and lifelong learning classes at Timber Ridge.

Outdoor amenities at the complex, which are meant to promote a social environment, include a walking path, basketball and pickle ball courts and a community garden space.

Lee said in some apartment complexes residents sometimes never get to know their neighbors. He said this is not likely to be the case at Timber Ridge.

“People will be living and interacting together,” he said.

Union County Commissioner Paul Anderes is impressed with the many amenities Timber Ridge will have, including its community center and walking path.

“It is well thought out and planned,” Anderes said.

Timber Ridge will have a smaller carbon footprint because all of its electricity will be solar generated by photovoltaic panels.

“We will be taking advantage of the Eastern Oregon sun,” Lee said.