The construction of the Mount Baker Link light rail station only a few blocks away from the Mount Baker Village location makes it an ideal one for affordable housing, but in 2016 the existing buildings were less than ideal.  As part of a project team that included ARC Architects, Beacon Development, and RAFN Construction, ILGSE worked to develop a multi-stage plan and subsequent designs for the Mount Baker Village complex on behalf of its owner, the Mount Baker Housing Authority.  The overall goal of the project was to address both the short-term need for additional housing units and long-term financial costs of the property in order to ensure it continues to be the keystone property in the MBHA portfolio.  

The initial phase of the project revolved around the seven existing buildings in the original Mount Baker Village.  After completing an evaluation of the existing buildings, the project team was able to identify areas where upgrades could be made to improve both the safety and performance of the existing buildings.  Mechanical systems and appliances were upgraded throughout all seven buildings, the weather envelope was improved, and seismic upgrades were incorporated into the lower floors to increase the overall safety.  The shared common spaces in the entry building were also remodeled to provide spaces for additional on-site services for the residents.  All of this was done with a goal of minimizing the long-term maintenance and operating costs for the existing buildings through more efficient systems and minor revisions to the existing spaces that made them more enjoyable to their occupants.