New 15-Unit Apartments Ribbon Cutting Showcases 1DROP Program Model
From left to right: Dominique Remy, Laura Wahlstrom and Evan Wahlstrom.
On Friday, June 27th, the Lakewood Station District welcomed a new residential construction project with a ribbon cutting ceremony that brought together developers, city leaders, and community members. The 15-unit Lakewood Station Apartments, completed in just nine months, represents both a housing milestone and a testament to the power of collaborative development.
The ceremony drew an impressive crowd of stakeholders, including Councilmember Rosie Ayala, State Representative Mari Leavitt, and Mark Herr, candidate for Lakewood City Council. Amanda DeShazo, Executive Director of the Affordable Housing Consortium, joined alongside the project's development team and dozens of community members who came to tour the new studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units.
Lessons in Co-Development
Lakewood Station was born from a web of long-standing relationships and a shared vision. "There's a family here dedicated to providing housing," said Claude Remy. "These relationships go back decades, and they're rooted in trust, in showing up for one another. That's what makes a project like this possible."
When developer Evan Wahlstrom needed support bringing his first project of this scale to fruition, he brought in Remy Construction’s Dominique Remy as co-developer.
Together with a trusted network of designers, contractors, and financiers, they shaped a project that both reflects community needs and demonstrates how co-development opens the door to delivery and growth.
The model extended beyond development partnership into field training. Caleb Repp, a 1DROP member, served as assistant site coordinator on his first project, gaining hands-on experience from start to finish.
Caleb Repp on site at Lakewood Station, gaining hands-on experience.
"Co-development means building together across experience levels and creating real pathways for more people to be part of the solution. It means bringing experienced people together with new talent to build housing, and build community leadership along the way."
- Dominique Remy
Event Highlights
The 65-minute event brought together speakers who shared the project's vision and journey. Claude Remy, Dominique Remy, Evan Wahlstrom and Laura Wahlstrom spoke about the development, followed by remarks from local officials and key partners.
The ribbon cutting transitioned into from construction milestone to community celebration, with guided tours that showcased thoughtful design details, from acoustic insulation facing the train tracks to the dedicated dog run that reflects the project's family-friendly focus. The afternoon wrapped up with refreshments and conversation among attendees.
Looking Forward
The ribbon cutting ceremony established a template for how 1DROP celebrates project completions while building community connections. The event balanced honoring the people who made the project possible with showcasing the attention to detail that went into every aspect of the development.
Lakewood Station Apartments represents proof that collaborative development models can deliver quality housing while creating pathways for new professionals to enter the field. The project's two ADA-accessible units, thoughtful acoustic design, and community amenities demonstrate that affordable housing can be both functional and welcoming. As the Lakewood Station District continues to develop, this project sets expectations for what's possible when relationships drive development and when creating opportunities for others becomes part of the mission from day one.
“While I’m watching the people help make policy, I want to empower you when you go not to listen to the naysayers, listen to the people who are actually taking the risk and bringing jobs and creating housing. So do not back down.”
About 1DROP
1DROP is a collective of underrepresented real estate developers addressing the Puget Sound housing crisis. We are committed to empowering underrepresented developers to build housing for all wages, all stages, and all ages while growing access to generational wealth.
1DROP achieves its mission by, externally:
Advocating for funding for underrepresented developers and their projects.
Advocating for policy solutions that enable more housing.
And internally by providing:
Apprenticeships for aspiring underrepresented developers.
Co-development for emerging underrepresented developers.
Mentorship, networking, resources and support services for all underrepresented developers.
For those inspired to learn more or get involved in supporting equitable housing, visit 1DROP's website to explore our initiatives and join us in making an impact.
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