Test Portfolio Template page

Bruce Pavitt to Host Dance-a-Thon to Benefit April’s Grove

Get your dancing feet ready for an eight-hour journey through musical history.

With tracks that range from Frank Sinatra to Billie Eilish, DJ Bruce Pavitt is hosting a dance-a-thon to benefit OPAL Community Land Trust.

“This is something I have wanted to do for years, and I’ve been looking for the appropriate opportunity,” Pavitt said. “As a music fan, I am omnivorous. I appreciate music from every era and genre. This is also a way to get different generations together to enjoy music and learn more about the OPAL project.”

To read the full article in the Islands’ Sounder click here.

Community Foundation Invests in Island Loan Fund

The Island Loan Fund, a new program created by OPAL Community Land Trust, makes it possible for islanders who are creditworthy, but not yet eligible for a bank loan to access construction and mortgage financing. The Orcas Island Community Foundation has become the lead investor in the second pool of funding for OPAL’s new program.

To read the full article on The Islands’ Sounder Click Here.

To read the full article on Orcas Issues Click Here.

Understanding REET

When OPAL board president Tim Fuller read the article “San Juan islanders look to REET funds as affordable housing savior” in the Journal of the San Juans, he was concerned that readers would get the wrong impression.

To read Tim’s full Letter to the Editor click here.

OPAL Rebids April’s Grove Townhome Project

OPAL is holding a full rebid including a general contractor and sub-contractors. During the first bidding process, the majority of bids came in over budget, with numerous trades having not submitted bids at all.

To read the full article in the Islands’ Sounder click here.

To read the full article on Orcas Issues click here.

San Juan Islanders look to REET funds as affordable housing savior

Last year, the groundwork for a solution to the housing crisis in San Juan county was laid when voters approved a tax to fund affordable housing projects. Local nonprofits, which already help to solve the housing crisis, are considering requesting funds to provide more reasonably-priced residences in the county.

OPAL Community Land Trust Executive Director Lisa Byers said staff plans to apply for REET funds for its 45-unit rental property on North Beach Road on Orcas. The site, called April’s Grove, will consist of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom townhomes. Construction is scheduled to start in 2019.

To read the full article from the Islands’ Sounder click here.

Site Work Underway: Construction Bids New Hurdle for April’s Grove

In mid-November site work began on April’s Grove, OPAL’s planned 45-home rental neighborhood, when Island Excavating began clearing brush and felling trees. The crew is working carefully to remove trees where buildings will be constructed while maintaining the “preserve and protect” areas surrounding the trees and undergrowth that will remain.

Also in November, OPAL’s general contractor, Dawson Construction, solicited bids from subcontractors. The majority of bids came in over budget, with numerous trades having not submitted bids at all.

To read the full Islands’ Sounder article click here.

To read the full Orcas Issues article click here.

Ian Van Gelder – In Gratitude

It is with heavy hearts that we say good bye to a valued member of the OPAL community.  Homeowner and trustee, Ian Van Gelder passed away on Nov 21. Ian was involved with OPAL from the very beginning, and was one of the first homeowners at Opal Commons, where he lived with his family until his passing.

We are so grateful for the time, hard work and leadership that Ian shared with us throughout his almost 30 year involvement with OPAL. He will be greatly missed.

Click here to read Ian’s obituary in the Islands’ Sounder.

Why is Affordable Housing Nearly Impossible to Find on the San Juan Islands?

Kim Malcolm from KUOW spoke with Lisa Byers about the lack of affordable housing in San Juan County and the importance of voting Yes on Proposition 1 this November.

To listen to the full interview click here.