Construction continues on Killian Pacific's Ninebark development, a 246-unit, sustainably designed apartment community. The first units of the Washougal property are expected to be move-in ready early next year. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)Photo Gallery
Two hundred and forty-six apartments in a sustainable living community called Ninebark are currently in the works at the Camas and Washougal waterfront area.
The community’s units will average 900 square feet, with studio apartments, and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.
The apartments will be nicer apartments with luxury finishes, said Dennis Mitchell, Sunrise Management’s regional vice president of client strategy. Developer Killian Pacific plans to allocate 10 percent of the units for affordable housing.
The project aims to be a sustainable development, with a salmon-safe certification — meaning stormwater runoff will be dealt with on site. It’s also on track to earn a FitWel Certification for buildings supporting health and well-being. And the clubhouse is being built as a zero-energy building, so all of the energy created by its rooftop solar panels will support the entirety of its energy needs. There will even be two honeybee hives on site for the property’s pollinator program.
“This is going to be kind of a flagship and one of those developments that is very visible in the community, just from the sustainability aspect,” said Mitchell.
The development will include a 1.2-acre park that will be a partnership between Ninebark and the Port of Camas-Washougal. Mitchell expects the development to bring attention and amenities to the waterfront park.
“It will be a very cool area for people in Camas and Washougal to go without having to go all the way into downtown Vancouver,” he added.
The development will be a garden-style apartment community, said Kristen Feldhusen, director of development at Killian Pacific. It will have eight residential buildings and a clubhouse. On-site amenities are also expected to include a gear shed with kayaks, bikes, stand-up paddleboards, co-working spaces, a large catering kitchen and dining area, a fitness center and river-facing reflection deck and barbecue.
The site is located between the city centers of Camas and Washougal, said Feldhusen. She noted the new coffee shops, breweries, restaurants and retailers that have come to that area, as well as businesses wanting to give employees affordable options outside of Portland and Vancouver.
“The design and layout of buildings at Ninebark have prioritized views of the river and public park, natural materials, and units that feel open and airy,” Feldhusen said.
The development is being built as an all-electric community, with energy-efficient appliances and barbecues, to reduce the property’s carbon footprint and use of fossil fuels, Feldhusen said.
The apartment buildings, clubhouse and adjoining park will feature art from regional and Indigenous artists, added Feldhusen.
“The celebration of art is a big component of the Ninebark experience and there will be ongoing collaboration with artists and groups like the Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance to activate and educate both residents and the greater community,” she said.
Issues with the pandemic, supply chain and weather provided challenges for the project. But Feldhusen said the first units are expected to be ready to be moved into sometime early next year. Preleasing is expected to begin this fall.
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