The Washington State Department of Commerce has awarded $9.7 million to a national nonprofit to help convert a historic Sand Point Naval Air Station building into affordable-housing units.
The funding will go to Mercy Housing Northwest toward redevelopment of Building 9, into 128 units, the state commerce department announced Wednesday.
The units will be designed primarily for families, but will also be available to veterans and people with disabilities. Residents will receive services to help with education and employment and be able to access a full-service health clinic that will serve the surrounding community.
“The location is ideal for families — good schools, near to many job opportunities and all of the amenities of Magnuson Park,” said Bill Rumpf, president of Mercy Housing Northwest. “We look forward to working with our design team, Sea Mar [Community Health Clinic], and community members to preserve and put that significant building back into active use.”
The project is expected to cost about $60 million by the time it’s completed in 2018. The Commerce Department funding was provided by the 2013 state Legislature.