A proposal to create a community-owned development on a prominent corner lot in Loyal Heights has surpassed $1.5 million in non-binding pledges.
The effort, first reported by My Ballard last week, centers on the idea of creating a neighborhood-governed entity to purchase and redevelop the property at Northwest 80th Street and 24th Avenue Northwest. The property is currently listed at $8.8 million.
Organizer Jed Sundwall said the project has gained momentum quickly since the original story was published.
“My mailing list has 42 people on it, double what it was on Friday,” Sundwall said in an update on Monday, May 11. “27 people have pledged a total of $1,563,080.”
Sundwall emphasized that the pledges are “entirely non-binding” and said his methodology for counting them is explained on the project website, DTLH.org.
According to Sundwall, the next step would involve creating a legal structure capable of purchasing and holding the property.
“This is still taking shape, but we need to create a neighborhood-governed legal entity that can buy the property,” he said.
Sundwall said his current thinking is to create both a nonprofit organization and a company. Under the proposal, the nonprofit would be overseen by a board of neighbors elected by other neighbors and focused on ensuring future development benefits the community. The company would own any acquired real estate and be overseen by a professional board elected by the nonprofit.
He said the project is intended to go beyond purchasing the lot itself.
“We need to be explicit that this isn’t a matter of just raising money to get the lot, but that we’re assembling a team of investors and collaborators who are committing to the entire redevelopment project, which will be very expensive,” Sundwall said.
Sundwall said he believes neighborhood involvement could strengthen the project’s long-term viability and attract additional investors.
He described the rapid growth in interest as surprising.
“I feel like the dog that caught the car,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about this idea for years, and we’ve gone from zero to $1.5M+ in a week.”
Sundwall said people who want to support the project can do so in ways other than pledging money. He encouraged supporters to spread the word, print flyers from the website, and provide feedback on the proposal. Sundwall also said he is seeking guidance from people with experience in areas such as commercial real estate, construction, nonprofit law, securities law, finance, fundraising, and city policy.
The original My Ballard coverage on the proposal can be found here: Loyal Heights resident proposes community-owned development
Photo: The lots for sale include the apartment building and neighboring parking lot. Google Image Capture Sept. 2025