The new Cedar Commons apartments are a place for families to grow and change, connect with the people around them, and build the lives they want. This exciting new spot brings together homes and an on-site early learning center, creating new opportunities for families to thrive. As a place built around the realities of the daily lives of families, Cedar Commons lets parents and caregivers focus their time and resources on raising their little ones. A community open house on June 24th marked an important milestone in a project designed to create homes across generations.
The audience heard from community leaders and project partners about the years of work, collaboration, and planning that make spaces like Cedar Commons possible. Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund, representatives from Senator Patty Murray’s office, Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu, and Opportunity Council’s Executive Director Greg Winter reflected on the partnerships behind the project and the impact it has on families and our community. The June event celebrated the first phase of Cedar Commons, while construction is already underway on a second phase that will provide homes for older adults. Together, the two phases help address housing needs at different stages of life and show what is possible when communities come together around a shared goal.
Some families were even moving into Cedar Commons during the event, beginning a new chapter in homes designed to help them build the lives they want while the community celebrated together. Tours of the building highlighted the many ways the development supports everyday family life. From spaces for children to play and learn, to community areas that help neighbors connect with one another.
Little Things, Big Impact
The little details about the building are what stand out about Cedar Commons, showing how carefully the apartment complex had been designed to support daily life, family connection, and everything a home provides. The brightly painted lending library gives residents a place to find a new story or leave a book for a neighbor. Floral murals by Ivan Colin covered the outside of the building, making it a warm and welcoming place to walk up to.
The open design of each apartment spans from the kitchen to the living area, creating a bright and shared space for everyday activities. Large windows fill the apartments with natural light and look out onto the trees, homes, and walking paths that surround Cedar Commons, with Mount Baker visible in the distance on clear days.”
Families have lots of unique places to connect outside their apartments as well, each space designed to meet different needs. When the school day ends or family members just need a quiet place to work, the study rooms provide independent desk spaces with dividers for privacy. A community gathering room features a TV, refrigerators, dishwashers, and a garage door that opens an outdoor space—a place to gather with neighbors and share meals, stories, and a laugh or two.
Real needs of families with children are met in every corner of Cedar Commons. Laundry rooms on each floor have gated play areas, designed around what it’s really like to raise kids while managing a household. Outdoor play spaces at the early learning center are designed so little ones can play, discover, and explore every day. With fall-friendly turf, a track around the edge for cruising on tricycles, and shades to buffer summer sun, each playground is designed with toddlers and preschoolers in mind at every turn.
Making Everyday Easier
Families thrive when they can make health a priority and focus on the things that matter most every day. Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) units in each apartment keep fresh outside air flowing in, one of the numerous ways that Cedar Commons keeps families healthy.
The solar panels on the roof are part of a cleaner future for everyone while also helping families make ends meet by eliminating the need for them to pay for individual utilities. These things keep residents healthy, stable, and able to focus on caring for their children and making sure they have everything they need to excel.
Focusing on Family, Building Community
Cedar Commons is a space where people can know the comfort of a place to call home, connect with others, and focus on their children and their futures.
Full of light and art and surrounded by walking trails, trees, and natural landscaping, the Cedar Commons complex is built for tenants to enjoy both their community and quiet time at home with their families.
With families continuing to move in and a second phase underway to add homes for older adults, Cedar Commons is becoming a place where people can put down roots, build connections, and focus on what matters most.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter and stay up to date on all of the latest from Opportunity Council.
