Groundbreaking event celebrates new low-income housing
Published 1:30 am Thursday, June 11, 2026
MARYSVILLE — Two dozen people braved the June rain to celebrate a new affordable housing project’s groundbreaking on Tuesday in Marysville.
The Housing Authority of Snohomish County broke ground on its Leonard Crossing project in Marysville, across the street from the Marysville Cedar and Grove Park & Ride. Construction for the more-than-$40 million project will begin before the end of the year.
The grassy 4-acre parcel, home to an old Marysville Fire administration building and the remnants of a drive-thru coffee stand, will hold 124 affordable housing units, a clubhouse with lounge space and kitchen, an exercise room, a game room and bike storage.
Leasing is projected to begin 2028, spokesperson Pamela Townsend said after the ceremony.
Construction was funded in part by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program. Last August, the program was expanded, with allocations increased from 9% to 12% and the threshold for bond financing lowered from 50% to 25%, said Laurie Olson, the Housing Authority’s CEO, during public remarks.
U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.; Patty Murray, D-Wash.; and U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Medina, worked for “10 years of their career expanding the low-income housing tax credit program,” Olson said, “with the largest expansion of federal investment in the last 40 years.”
Wells Fargo invested $17 million into the project as a result of their work, Olson said. Other funding came from state, county and city low-income housing and children’s health grants, along with the Housing Authority’s own investment.
“We own the dirt. We are responsible for the lives that will ultimately live here,” Olson said. “We are responsible for their hopes and their dreams and their future.”
The project is named for the Housing Authority’s previous CEO, Duane Leonard.
“He arrived at HASCO in 1995,” Olson said. “We were struggling financially and Duane meticulously and thoughtfully and strategically rebuilt the organization, such that we have tens of millions of dollars in the bank.”
Leonard helped the Housing Authority have the healthiest real estate portfolio in the state, she said.
“I’m very humbled and honored,” Leonard said in an interview after the ceremony. “I’m very proud of the work I did at HASCO, obviously, but I never thought this would be the result.”
The need for affordable housing remains great, he said.
“I know there’s a lot of bad connotations come about it but everybody’s kids need a place to live,” Leonard said. “Coming back to the county and working in the community where I grew up has been an honor for me in my career.”
Other speakers included the Housing Authority’s board chair, Joseph Alonzo, and Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring.
“There’s a lot of HASCO properties here in Marysville. They’re well run, they serve those who need the type of service, and they provide a product that is so desperately needed in these times,” Nehring said. “Housing that’s affordable for all sorts of folks throughout the different areas. As our community continues to grow, that’s one of the most important challenges we face.”
Taylor Scott Richmond: 425-339-3046; taylor.richmond@heraldnet.com: X: @BTayOkay
