Lake Chelan View Apartments takes crack at lack of workforce housing

CHELAN - Aside from parking, one shortage that is well known amongst residents and locals in Lake Chelan is a lack of workforce housing. 

With the minimum wage in Washington state being $11 per hour, and the average estimated rent at $1,475 per month, there are little options for a service, winery or orchard employee to live in the Chelan area. 

After Regency Manor relocated from their location on Markeson Street in Chelan to Wenatchee, now building owner and Chelan resident Al Abdollmohammadi saw an opportunity to alleviate some of the problem. 

“As soon as we saw it last year, we talked to the owners and wanted to do workforce housing,” Abdollmohammadi, who retired in Chelan five years ago said about his apartments on Markeson street. “People who are making $12 or $13 an hour, they can’t afford the condos and other housing options, so this is something for Chelan. If someone is looking for a job they won’t have to move away from Chelan.”

Abdollmohammadi said that he didn’t cut any corners during construction and installed all new fire alarms, sprinklers and appliances. 

The apartments also feature a 24-hour security system with a coded entry to the building, an on-site laundry room and building manager, storage, an abundance of parking and an outdoor barbeque area with a view overlooking Lake Chelan. 

“Chelan is safe, but we tried to bring that extra sense of care that you would get in a place like Seattle,” Abdollmohammadi said.

The 22 units are all configured differently and range in size that include studio, one bedroom and two bedroom units with an average rent of $950 to $1,050 including all utilities. 

After a year of renovating, Abdollmohammadi and his crew are finishing up the last touches on some of the apartments and 16 of the 22 total units are filled. 

So far the feedback given according to Abdollmohammadi has been good. 

“There is nothing else like this in Chelan with a good view of the lake,” Abdollmohammadi stated. “These people work hard they deserve something like this.” 

Unfortunately Abdollmohammadi doesn’t foresee any other projects on the horizon to further address the need for workforce housing because of the lack of financial incentive for a developer that can either charge more or make double in Seattle.

“I spent a lot of money and we ended up going over budget by 25 percent, but the goal wasn’t to make money. The goal was to save the building and provide housing for the workers in Chelan. We might have spent too much, but the end result is good and I am happy with it.” 

For those wishing to tour the Lake Chelan View Apartments, contact Al Abdollmohammadi at (206) 650-8266 or visit their website at lakechelanviewapartments.com for more information. The property is located at 726. N. Markeson Street in Chelan. 

Zach Johnson can be reached at lcmeditor@gmail.com or (509) 682-2213