January 28, 2022….Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. was deeply honored to be named a top winner in the USGBC Detroit Region Leadership Council Awards. Osborn Commons in Sault Ste. Marie was recognized as Michigan’s Green Building of the Year: Homes.
Protect contenders were judged based on the USGBC’s LEED rating system including Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Location & Linkages, Awareness & Education, and Innovation in Design. “These green buildings are the foundation to help people, and the communities and cities they reside in, live safe, healthy and sustainable lives,” states USGBC.
Osborn Commons is a $14 million, 65-unit mixed-income development in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, near the world-famous Soo Locks. In addition to 63 affordable apartments for residents that earn 30 to 80% area median income, there are two units available without income restriction. One, two, and three-bedroom units are available. There is also a fitness center, laundry, outdoor seating area, and two community rooms, including one with an adjoining rooftop terrace overlooking the Soo Locks Park.
One of the special features of Osborn Commons is an onsite neighborhood market called The Market on Osborn with a street entrance and an indoor service window for residents. The market sells groceries, specialty foods, and other convenience items, and eliminates the neighborhood’s longtime food desert.
Senior Vice President Craig Patterson accepted the Leadership Award on behalf of Woda Cooper Companies. “This is a very unique project because it transformed a blighted site and replaced an obsolete, vacant building with a four story housing community that is walkable for many downtown amenities, jobs, and services,” said Patterson.
“In our 16 state portfolio, Osborn Commons is our northern-most property. This morning it was minus 14 with 20 inches of snow, so sustainability is what it is all about,” said Patterson. “We believe Osborn Commons was the first LEED Gold certified development in the city of Sault Ste. Marie and one of the first in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.”
Patterson recognized and thanked supporters in the development including the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and financial partners CREA, LLC, Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, and Merchants Capital. Sustainability consultant for Osborn Commons was Sol Design + Consulting. Architect was Hooker | DeJong, Inc. with general contracting by Woda Construction, Inc.
Read USGBC’s announcement for more information.
Osborn Commons in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. 
The Market on Osborn 
The Market on Osborn 
4th Floor Community Room 
Dining room in a unit at Osborn Commons 
4th Floor Community Room
About Woda Cooper Companies, Inc.
Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. and its affiliates specialize in the development, design, construction, and management of high-quality affordable multi-family apartments, senior communities, and single-family homes. The company marked 30 years in business May 2, 2020, with operations in 16 states and a portfolio of approximately 400 communities and 16,000 units. Green building is standard with certifications including Passive House, Zero Energy Ready Homes, LEED, Enterprise Green, EarthCraft, and ENERGY STAR. Woda Cooper has offices in Savannah, GA; Indianapolis, IN; Shelbyville, KY; Queenstown, MD; Mackinaw City, MI; Columbus, OH; and Norfolk, VA. Affordable Housing Finance magazine ranked Woda Cooper Companies 10th in nation among Developers and 18th among Owners in 2021.
