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A development dream is in the making for the Sullivan’s Gulch neighborhood of Portland.

Grace Commons is planned for an entire city block surrounded by Northeast 16th and 17th avenues and Weidler and Halsey streets. The existing Grace Memorial Episcopal Church, on the block’s northeast corner, will remain; all other existing buildings will be demolished. New construction will include a seven-story affordable housing building, a three-story community arts center and a courtyard.

Carleton Hart Architecture is designing the project, and Walsh Construction will serve as the general contractor.

Brian Carleton, principal at Carleton Hart Architecture, said construction of a community arts center has long been a dream for the owners involved: Grace Memorial Episcopal Church, Grace Institute (a secular arm of the church), and PHAME (a nonprofit arts academy serving adults with disabilities). Then, in response to growth of the homeless population in Portland, affordable housing was added to the project; Northwest Housing Alternatives is serving as the developer for that portion.

The team is still in the early stages of designing Grace Commons, but Carleton expects it to produce 鈥渁 really incredible, vibrant community.鈥�

The residential building is planned as a 78,800-square-foot structure with 90 units holding either one or two bedrooms. There will be shared common spaces as well as a private courtyard.

The community arts center will include a theater and a recording studio. All building spaces, from theater walkways to the control room, will be accessible, Carleton said. In fact, the entire campus will be accessible not only by individuals in wheelchairs but also by those with other disabilities, said Julia Mollner, an architect at Carleton Hart Architecture.

鈥淚t’s about accessibility, inclusivity, and a place for people to call home,鈥� she said.

The project team has submitted an application for early assistance from the city regarding utility and zoning specifications. Meanwhile, a capital funding campaign is being formed.

Final design of Grace Commons might require two more years, Carleton said.