Groundbreaking for 90-unit apartment complex in Chinatown set for March

MidPen Housing is wasting no time in the development of a 90-unit apartment building in the heart of Chinatown. Exactly one week ago they put up a fence to keep people off site and now they are preparing the area for groundbreaking.

MidPen worked closely with the Asian Cultural Experience to find a name …they came up with Moon Gate Plaza. Right now they are working on removing lead from the soil and then preparing the fill material, so it can be ready to build. The bottom floor will have a combination of artistic and retail space, also there will be health and wellness programs. The top three floors will be made up of 90 apartments.

“It will all be affordable for low income folks. Primarily individuals, there are a few one bedrooms, some two bedrooms. 20 of the homes will be for high utilizers of the healthcare system, who are also homeless or have experienced homelessness,” said director of housing development, Betsy Wilson.

The building design will have elements evocative of Chinese culture and other Asian influences, so that it fits nicely in the neighborhood. They will have a moon gate on the property and panels at the front where historical photographs of the neighborhood can be displayed.

The project will break ground in March and it’s expected completion is October of 2019.