'Kind of panicked': I-5 bridge replacement may displace 33 affordable apartment residents in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, Wash. (KOIN) — Residents of an affordable apartment building in Vancouver were shocked to find their homes may be on the chopping block if one of the four proposed designs of the Interstate-5 replacement bridge program is chosen.

Talks are still underway between lawmakers in Oregon and Washington as they consider plans for replacing the I-5 bridge between the two states.

Studies show a new bridge is needed since the current one won't withstand an earthquake. However, replacing the bridge may entail homes and businesses getting displaced. The number of structures in the new I-5 bridge's path may vary depending on which design is chosen.

"Maybe going with the way that doesn’t necessarily demolish the homes of residents would be a much better option than to take away some of the very few affordable housing that exists,” said Valerie Eliason, a tenant of The Normandy apartment building.

The nearly 100-year-old building on the corner of C Street and 7th Street in Vancouver is one of the last bastions of affordable housing in the city, tenants say. It would also be in the path of the new I-5 for one of the designs.

Residents said they couldn't afford to live anywhere else and were shocked to learn their homes could be demolished.

The Normandy has 33 apartments. It offers apartments without income requirements at roughly $800-$1,200 less than the average monthly area rent, according to Zillow data.

"This is one of the last few affordable places in downtown, like let alone the whole city of Vancouver. So yeah, definitely nervous for what would happen if this place did get demolished," Eliason said.

The Normandy being considered for demolition for the new I-5 bridge was first reported by The Columbian newspaper. Eliason said she first found out her home of five years was at risk when she happened to see the front page.

"It had Normandy on the front page and my car was in the shot and I was like hey those look familiar," Eliason said. "Definitely nervous. Kind of panicked."

"If we were to be moved out of here, neither of us can afford to live in our own place," added Monica Martinez-Animas. "I was not notified that my building specifically would be at risk."

Martinez-Animas said she quickly put together flyers about The Normandy's potential demolition and spread them throughout the building in an effort to encourage tenants to engage in the now-closed public comment period.

"Whatever we can do to kind of stop this from going the wrong way," said Clint Phillips, another resident at The Normandy. "The price of rent nowadays is almost unreachable for a lot of people — myself included."

An environmental impact study released by the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program in September showed that an estimated 47 acres of land could be seized through sale or eminent domain, displacing 43 homes and 36 businesses. A program spokesperson confirmed to KOIN 6 News that the number could rise to 76 homes — including The Normandy apartments — if the design option that requires a westward shift of I-5 is chosen.

KOIN 6 asked Philips, the father of an 11-month-old named Jaden, what he would do if the building was marked for demolition.

"Probably hotel living — but you can't really raise a family in a hotel," he said.

The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program said no final decisions have been made and if a property is needed, owners will be notified in advance and given a fair market value.

KON 6 reached out to the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program for comment regarding the potential displacement of The Normandy. In response, a spokesperson sent the following statement:

"The IBR program will do everything feasible to avoid and minimize potential impacts to property. No final decisions have been made about what will be built and there are several steps remaining before discussions about specific property impacts take place. The IBR program will make every reasonable effort to avoid taking property when it is not necessary for the delivery of the proposed investments. However, there may be certain situations in which the program will need to acquire property owned by private individuals and businesses.

"The Final SEIS will identify the anticipated program footprint and mitigations. It is anticipated that formal discussions about property acquisitions can take place after the program publishes its Final SEIS and receives an Amended Record of Decision (ROD). The Amended ROD provides federal approval to move the project into construction, which is anticipated in mid to late 2025.  

"Potential property impacts including full, partial, and temporary acquisitions are covered in detail in Chapter 3.3 of the Draft SEIS, including the potential impacts resulting from design options that were analyzed. This includes the potential westward shift of I-5 design option, which would result in the potential acquisition and displacement of an additional 3 businesses and 33 residential units (which includes the apartment building referenced) over and above the displacement of 43 residential units, 36 businesses and one public use site that would be displaced by the Modified LPA. (These displacements were covered in the September media press conference.)"