Annika Place: An Affordable Community Anchored in Service, Sacrifice, & Shared History
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In Traverse City - just 1.5 miles, a five‑minute drive from the United States Coast Guard Air Station - Annika Place Apartments stands as a new affordable housing community shaped by personal history and deeply connected to the legacy of those who protect and uplift others.
In its naming alone, Annika Place is a testament to the development team’s personal and familial connection to Traverse City. During the groundbreaking ceremony, David Cooper, principal of Woda Cooper Companies, shared the heartfelt inspiration behind the community’s name. His granddaughter, Annika, was born prematurely in Traverse City. In those early days, she received lifesaving care at Munson Medical Center - just three miles from what would become the site of Annika Place.
But the significance of Annika Place extends far beyond its name.
Visitors arriving at the community are greeted by a lighted flagpole dedicated to Coast Guardsman Douglas Munro, a symbol that shines day and night. Munro, who left college to join the Coast Guard during World War II, reportedly told his sister he chose the service because its mission centered on saving lives.
At just 22 years old, Munro made the ultimate sacrifice during the Guadalcanal campaign in September 1942. Piloting a Higgins boat under heavy fire, he positioned his craft as a shield that allowed 500 Marines to evacuate safely - his actions saving their lives. Munro remains the only Coast Guard member ever awarded the Medal of Honor, and the only non‑Marine enshrined on the Wall of Heroes at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
As an additional tribute, Annika Place named its community room after Munro - a gathering space for residents, including current and former military members and their families. His Medal of Honor citation, captures the meaning of his sacrifice:
“By his outstanding leadership, expert planning, and dauntless devotion to duty, he and his courageous comrades undoubtedly saved the lives of many who otherwise would have perished.”
While Munro is honored across the nation and especially in his home state of Washington, Annika Place adds a new layer of remembrance - one rooted in everyday impact. The community provides high‑quality, affordable housing to local military families and includes eight units reserved for formerly homeless residents.
Just as Munro shielded Marines in their moment of greatest need, Annika Place stands as a shield of stability and safety for those who serve, for the working families of Traverse City, and for individuals rebuilding their lives after homelessness.
“The addition of quality, affordable housing in the Traverse City area helps everyone at the air station, especially our most junior members, in finding that quality housing close to our air station,” said Andy Schanno, CDR, Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City. “Of course it’s not just the Coast Guard. I think the need for housing incorporates the whole community. We are a part of that.”
This Memorial Day, Annika Place serves as a reminder that honoring service is not only about remembering the past - it is also about building communities that reflect and maintain the values of protection, compassion, and commitment to one another.
Financial Support: In addition to the LIHTC equity provided by CREA Corporate Tax Credit Fund 96, LP, Annika Place was financed through a $10.75 million construction‑to‑permanent loan and a $2.8 million permanent loan from Huntington National Bank.
Huntington’s support extends beyond financing. The bank also provides Annika Place residents with access to its Money Know‑How financial literacy platform and arranges for a branch manager to visit the property quarterly to answer questions and offer guidance. These services are provided at no cost to residents or the partnership, reinforcing Huntington’s commitment to long‑term resident stability and financial empowerment.
