16-Unit Cottage Housing Unveiling in Lakewood: Birds Mill Ribbon Cutting Highlights 1DROP’s Program Model
From left to right: Claude Remy, Caleb Repp, Chris Brown, Yasmin Trudeau, Matt Brooke, Jessica Bateman, Rasheed Thompson, Keenan Grayson, Jason Gano, Reggie Brown, Lexie Brown, Dominique Remy and John Hines.
On August 14, community leaders gathered in Lakewood's Dower neighborhood for the ribbon cutting of Birds Mill — a site that, for 40 years, was home to an abandoned shed used for storage and now stands as a newly completed 16-unit cottage duplex community built in just eight months.
The History Behind the Name
The name "Birds Mill" pays homage to Andrew Byrd, whose entrepreneurial spirit shaped early Lakewood. In 1859, Byrd established the area's first grist mill, followed by a saw mill and shingle mill. His contributions extended beyond commerce—Byrd School, built in 1855, served as the first schoolhouse north of the Columbia River. Byrd helped approve the first set of plats in 1871, and the Byrd Mill road, constructed in 1867, created crucial transportation links that spurred growth.
Naming this housing project after Byrd's mill connects today's development to Lakewood's founding vision of creating economic opportunity and community infrastructure.
Voices from the Community
The ceremony featured remarks from key stakeholders who helped make Birds Mill a reality, including financial partners, philanthropic supporters, non-profit organizations, and construction teams. Tacoma City Councilmember John Hines attended the event, alongside Washington State Senators Yasmin Trudeau and Jessica Bateman. The diverse group of attendees reflected the collaborative spirit that drove this project forward.
“Birds Mill is a step toward a region where growth is inclusive, opportunity is shared, and housing meets community needs.”
Design Meets Function
The community offers eight single-level one-bedroom flats of just under 500 square feet and eight two-bedroom split-level homes spanning about 1,100 square feet. Each residence features nine-foot ceilings and large windows that flood the spaces with natural light. The finishes include luxury vinyl plank flooring, quartz countertops, and sleek cabinetry paired with stainless-steel appliances. Efficient heat-pump HVAC systems and wall-mounted AC units ensure year-round comfort, while pre-wiring for high-speed internet addresses modern connectivity needs.
The site design creates community through a central landscaped courtyard featuring a playground and benches for gathering. With 26 dedicated parking stalls plus additional street parking, the project addresses practical needs while maintaining the welcoming streetscape that defines quality Missing Middle housing.
A Model for the Future
For the Birds Mill development, Lead developer Claude Rémy, working with mentors Reggie Brown and Chris Brown, joined community members alongside the project team: co-developer and project manager/general contractor Dominique Rémy, superintendent Matt Brooke, construction resident Caleb Repp, property management lead Nicole Remy and Rasheed Thompson, who served as both investor and preconstruction resident.
“Birds Mill represents the power of partnership and the importance of creating pathways for developers of color in our community. It shows what’s possible when vision is combined with mentorship. We’re proud of what this represents for Lakewood and for the future of equitable development.”
- Claude Remy
Birds Mill demonstrates how Missing Middle housing can fill the gap between single-family homes and large apartment complexes while creating opportunities for emerging developers. The eight-month construction timeline showcases the efficiency possible when experienced teams work with clear vision and strong partnerships, benefiting from the expertise of construction residents, mentors, and project managers who guide the process while creating learning opportunities for emerging professionals.
As guests mingled in the courtyard and explored the new homes, the sense of accomplishment was tangible.
From left to right: Dominique Remy, Claude Remy, Calleb Repp and Rasheed Thompson.
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.
Have questions or suggestions for this post?
We're here to engage! For edits, feedback, or inquiries about this blog post, please reach out to press@1drop.co.