Vuela: Transit-Oriented Development at the Wilsonville Transit Center

The Equitable Housing Strategic Plan  identified exploration of transit-oriented development (TOD) at the Wilsonville Transit Center as a high-priority action the City should explore. Thanks to a statewide housing shortage, limited available land, and rising construction costs, finding affordable rentals and home ownership options is becoming harder. The problem affects the entire Metro region, including Wilsonville. The approximately 1.3-acre City-owned property at the Transit Center presents an opportunity to promote TOD with affordable housing. To explore the possibilities, in 2021 the City completed a Development Opportunity Study to assess the City’s goals for the site and better understand the types of development that may be feasible.

In late 2022, following a two-step Request for Qualifications/Request for Proposals process, the City selected Palindrome as the project developer. Vuela includes 121 units of housing affordable to households making between 30% and 80% of Area Median Income, along with ground-floor tenants including a welcome center for SMART, a new home for Wilsonville Community Sharing, and a coffee house/community space. To create a lively environment for residents, transit users, and other visitors, the project will include outdoor plazas and a play area centered around three Douglas-fir trees that will be preserved with development. Vuela will incorporate sustainability features, including Energy Star appliances, rooftop solar panels, EV charging stations, and integrated stormwater management.

Construction of Vuela began in August 2024, and is expected to continue throughout 2025. A summary of the project and frequently asked questions is available here. You can track construction progress in the slideshow below.