Development Time Line
September 2011: Mary Miner gathers small group to create cohousing in Anchorage bowl. Terri Pauls joins her.
November 2011: Public presentation at museum by cohousing architect Chuck Durrett, co-author of Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities.
February 2012: Getting-it-Built Workshop, facilitated by Chuck Durrett & Kathryn McCamant, architects who brought cohousing from Denmark to North America.
March 2012: Contract obtained on 6.2 acres of land off Abbott Road
April 2012: Public presentation at museum by co-founder Terri Pauls. Front-page article in Anchorage Daily News about cohousing project.
May 2012: Visioning & Values Workshop, facilitated by professional consultant Terri Huggett of Day Break Cohousing in Portland, Oregon
June 2012: Reached 6 member households.
- Site Programming Workshop with Kraus-Fitch Architects of Massachusetts
- Abbott Coho Land Development LLC, comprised mostly of Ravens’ Roost Cohousing members, purchased first parcel of land: 2.2 acres. 15-month option begins on second, 4-acre parcel.
July 2012: Common House Programming Workshop with Kraus-Fitch Architects. Public presentation at Loussac by architect Mary Kraus.
September 2012:
- Unit Programming Workshop with Kraus-Fitch Architects
- Building & Site Reconciliation Workshop with Kraus-Fitch Architects
October 2012: Submitted Application for Conditional Use Permit for Planned Unit Development (PUD) to Municipality of Anchorage
November 2012:
- 2-day Group Process & Consensus Training, facilitated by author and professional consultant Eris Weaver of FrogSong Cohousing in Cotati, California
- Gala Reception unveiling our design on Nov. 15 drew 150 attendees, covered by two TV stations!
January 7, 2013: Unanimous Approval from Municipality of Anchorage Planning & Zoning! We’re in!
Winter through Summer 2013: Worked on construction documents, solicited construction bids, created Home Owners Association documents and “Commitments to Each Other” Agreement, worked to gain more members.
April 17, 2013: Public Event at Middle Way Cafe, attended by about 100 people
September 2013: Home Place LLC, comprised mostly of Ravens’ Roost Cohousing members, purchased final parcel of land, for total of 6.2 acres
Fall 2013 through Spring 2014: Created bylaws. Firmed up construction bids, started creating Animal Agreement. Worked to gain a critical mass of members. Public presentation at Loussac by Kathryn McCamant.
March 2014: Second two-day Group Process Training, facilitated by professional consultant Annie Russell of Silver Sage Cohousing in Boulder, Colorado. Finalized “Meeting Guidelines” Agreement.
Summer 2014: Design development. Began conversation with The Petersen Group. Created Member Handbook.
September 2014: Landscape Programming Workshop with Katie McCamant, finalized Animal Agreement.
November 2014: Members have contributed 10% of their home value (this will go toward their down payment at closing). Reached 18 member households.
December 2014: Development agreement signed with The Petersen Group, a long-time Anchorage developer and builder. Construction loan application submitted.
March 11, 2015: Reached 23 member households. Construction loan terms letter given by First National Bank of Alaska! Members have contributed 20% of their home value (this will go toward down payment at closing).
April 21, 2015: Ground Breaking Celebration! Began grading site.
August 6, 2015: Pouring concrete foundations began
August 20, 2015: Closed on construction loan.
August 2015 to October 2016: Construction of Phase 1: 29 homes, Common House, Atrium, and Workshop. Created more agreements.
October 2015: Third 2-day Group Process Training, facilitated by professional consultant Annie Russell of Silver Sage Cohousing in Boulder, Colorado.
June 2016: Landscaping began. Reached 26 member households.
August 2016: Became an official Home Owner’s Association. Homes now for sale on open market.
September 2016: Began moving in
Phil & Susan were the first to move in.
Before sitting down to first meal in Common House, November 9, 2016:
April 3, 2017: Grand Opening Celebration! With Mayor Ethan Berkowitz & Alaska First Lady Donna Walker
February 2018: Phase 2 (two more triplexes) completed.
Fall 2018: 32 of 35 homes sold.
January 2019: Fourth 2-day Group Process Training, facilitated by professional consultant Karl Steyaert of Cultural Catalyst Network and Ashland Cohousing in Ashland, Oregon.
December 2019: All 35 homes sold. A few are rented by the owners.