Toledo Olalla Meadows Groundbreaking

Northwest Coastal Housing and community partners gathered on Friday May 29th in Toledo to break ground on the Olalla Meadows project, a 30-unit affordable housing complex that local leaders say has been years in the making. The project will include two buildings with a total of 22 one-bedroom units and 8 two-bedroom units. It is being developed by Northwest Coastal Housing on city-owned land in Toledo and is intended to address critical housing needs in Lincoln County.

Funding for Olalla Meadows comes from a mix of sources, including grants, lender system development charge waivers, sponsor contributions, and support from state and local partners. Funding was also provided by LIFT, Local Innovation and fast track funds, a state program created by the Oregon Legislature to expand the supply of affordable housing in the state intended for rural areas. Oregon Housing and Community Services and the Housing Assistance Council are also among the key funders and technical support agencies backing the project.

Northwest Coastal Housing’s executive director, Sheila Stiley, described the path to groundbreaking as a long, complex process that began for the nonprofit in 2019, and even earlier for the City of Toledo. She emphasized that the project required extensive coordination, problem-solving, and last-minute adjustments among multiple agencies.

The City of Toledo was singled out for its role in advancing the project through a ground lease, infrastructure support, and system improvements. City council, the planning commission, Mayor Tracy Mix, the planning department, public works, and the fire department were all recognized for their involvement. The city’s sustained commitment was described as setting a precedent for how small communities can partner on affordable housing.

Toledo Mayor Tracy Mix highlighted how long the city and its partners have been working toward this moment and credited former Toledo Mayor Rod Cross for helping keep the project on track. “Well, I didn’t know if this day was ever going to come,” Mix said. “I want to reiterate thanking Rod Cross for jumping right in with Northwest Coastal Housing and always keeping this at the forefront for the council, helping us to understand the history when we got new councilors, because it was a lengthy project.” Mix called the project a reflection of the community’s willingness to work hard for needed housing.

Lincoln County Commissioners contributed funding through two allocations from the county’s Economic Development Fund, supporting pre-development work and a water intrusion barrier. County leadership highlighted the importance of interjurisdictional coordination and joint legislative advocacy to bring resources to local housing efforts.

Lincoln County Commissioner Casey Miller underscored the county’s financial role and the importance of coordination among local and state partners. The county contributed two allocations from the Economic Development Fund, including support for pre-development work and a water intrusion barrier.

“We’re really blessed to be able to provide the Community and Economic Development grant, and the nonprofit social service allocation grant,” Miller said. “Those are two ways that we contribute to these projects, but the key is interjurisdictional coordination, right at the local level, and then also interjurisdictional legislative advocacy together.”

Northwest Coastal Housing board member Rich Musick stated that much of the work has involved educating state-level officials about rural needs. “The capital knows what to do with big city developments,” he said.

“They’re not real good on rural developments, and Sheila has had to do a lot of education for the folks at the state level to make them understand that, yes, we have people here, we have needs here, we’re part of the state, we deserve some of that assistance to go to our folks here.” Describing the role of the board and the support behind Executive Director Sheila Stiley, Musick likened it to a fight scene. “You want to know what support does,” he said. “You see these movies, these clips where somebody’s going to go in and go for fights, and the person’s going to do it says, ‘Hold my coat.’ well we’re the coat holders, and Sheila goes in swinging”

The Housing Development Center serves as a development consultant on the project, helping Northwest Coastal Housing navigate state requirements and adjust to changing conditions. Architect Dustin Capri and Capri Architecture, along with Curt Meili of Meili Construction, are leading design and construction. Both firms have worked with Northwest Coastal Housing on previous developments, including earlier projects dating back to 2002.

Pinehurst Management will oversee property management, including lease-up and on-site operations for Olalla Meadows once construction is complete. Throughout the ceremony, speakers underscored the role of neighbors and community members who attended meetings, asked questions, and stayed engaged during the planning phase.

The nonprofit’s goal is for Olalla Meadows to become a stable, positive part of the neighborhood and a long-term asset for Toledo and Lincoln County. The event concluded with project partners donning hard hats, taking shovels in hand, and posing for ceremonial photos at the construction site.