People’s House Hosts Conversation about Homelessness

Above: A location for The People's House, a proposed low-barrier homeless shelter at 113 Thurston Avenue NE, is seen in the center of the picture (green building), across the street from the Boardwalk Apartments in downtown Olympia.

 

Community Voices About Proposed Shelter Location Are Heard

By Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Editor’s Note: While many people who spoke Wednesday night were known to me, some did not say their names before speaking, or just used their first name. Out of respect, I have reported that introduction as stated and have identified them as they identified themselves unless they voluntarily gave their names to me or said I could use their names.

About 150 people attended Wednesday night's public forum at Temple Beth Hatfiloh to learn more about locating The People’s House, a proposed low-barrier homeless shelter at 113 Thurston NE in downtown Olympia.

 

Downtown Olympia suffers from a lack of accessible bathroom facilities and people using make-shift night and day shelters in downtown business doorways, parks, at the transit center, on the waterfront at Percival Landing and boardwalk, and the library.

 

There were 237 unsheltered homeless in 2013, according to the homeless point-in-time count conducted last January by the city and county.

 

People spoke passionately. Several opponents were residents of the Boardwalk Apartments, a low-income senior independent-living complex which houses about 300 residents.

The People’s House, proposed to be a low-barrier 40 bed facility, sees itself as an entry point to other area services and a pathway to permanent housing, leading to a community transformation.

After showing a brief video about The People’s House on a big screen, which can also be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb11cjXTwol, Meg Martin, program director for The People’s House, explained the benefits of an enhanced shelter with social services.

“When people come into shelters between 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at night, and have to leave by 7:00 a.m., “there’s nothing we can do with them during that time….People discard their clothes and belongings on the streets because they have no access to laundry facilities.” The proposed day shelter will have shower, bathroom, and laundry services.

One Boardwalk resident said, “This is going to be directly across from us. It’s a serious problem. People are breaking into our buildings and cars – a good 120 (homeless) people are in our area. We hear screaming and yelling. These 40 beds aren’t going to put a dent in our homeless situation. There’s no reason to put something like that there…this is not how I intended to spend my senior years….”

David, who has managed buildings downtown for 12 years, says he has cleaned up more urine and feces on the street and in doorways in this last year than he has in 12 years. “And we’ve just spent, what, $24 million on a new façade for the Washington Center? We need restroom facilities.”

Tom Dorian, Don’s Camera owner, said, “I don’t believe a 40 bed shelter is going to come close to what we need…I’d really like to see a business plan. You are about to spend $400,000 – that’s money that will be taken away from proven programs. First you were talking about an evening shelter, now you’re talking about a 24 hour shelter. Not once have you come to us, those who work and live downtown, and asked where should we place this shelter? I’ve personally been involved with Drexel House (a men’s shelter)…We all want to help the homeless, the less advantaged, but you are providing enablement. (Let me explain) 1. Many are mentally ill; 2. Many suffer from substance abuse; and 3. There are individuals who do not want to adhere to the rules or regulations, be a part of the community and show no respect. It’s proposed to be near the new Children’s Museum, playground, the Boardwalk Apartments, and the Farmer’s Market, and you want to be right in the middle of it. Talk to me up front instead of at the tail end. I want to help you….”

Betty Houser, a volunteer at Sidewalk, an Olympia homeless advocacy and support center, said she lives in the South Capitol neighborhood. “We are in the midst of a recession. People are hurting everywhere. It’s all over town…we all feel vulnerable and we need to take care of the people and get them off the street….Especially with the men, it’s so disheartening. We have to turn so many men away…and there’s no place for couples at this point. If you’re willing to sleep separately, you may find shelter but you won’t have each other to look out for….”

Bill Garson said he lives near the proposed location. “.…What is the real day use population? Are churches willing to guarantee to keep this funding and these professionals in place? BHR (Behavioral Health Resources) has a financial problem. The $400,000 isn’t new money, it’s from another program…to not have a full plan laid out doesn’t make a lot of sense. There are locations you’ve refused to look at. Sometimes you have to compromise…we’re willing to help with a location that makes sense to us….”

A man said, “The reality is, people are in distress, and there have been some implications that Interfaith Works doesn’t know what they’re doing, like this one project is a far outlier…they’ve been successful in the past and they will be in the future.”

Gabi Clayton said she has worked, lived and run homeless shelters in New York and Mississippi. “We had rules. If they couldn’t follow them, they couldn’t stay….I worked at Haven House (an Olympia co-educational, crisis residential shelter for youth). I know it’s scary, but if you can get past the labels…and see our neighbors….I would like to be at Boardwalk and would like to know the shelter is my neighbor.”

Sammy Harvell, program director at Stonewall Youth, a LGBTQQIA youth support organization that has an office downtown, said, “Sure, I have feces on my doorstep, we’re near a homeless camp, there’s people shooting up…but when I was 15 years old, I was in that same position. When I was 15 to 24 years old, I was on and off the streets. I was one of those troublemakers….Percival Landing was my favorite place to do drugs. If it wasn’t for our service providers, I wouldn’t be here – CYS (Community Youth Services) got me into housing and I got to work on other stuff. People stay in Olympia because this is their community. This is where I belong. People trying to access services are people too….I remember back in the day when I was getting kicked out because I was queer… (and now I’m) here today talking about all the successes in my life. Having these services changed my life….I see a solution in this. Give us a chance. How will we know if we haven’t given it a try?”

Jessica Archer of Concerned Olympians, a group that opposed The People’s House’s proposed location on the Eastside neighborhood near St. Michael’s School and Madison Elementary School, said it’s great to see people care. She feels the downtown location is wrong as well. “We can find solutions that work…I don’t know what the answer is. We have a 500% increase in heroin use in Olympia since 2006….”

Safiya Crane said she has been a resident of Olympia for 30 years and is a Sidewalk advocate. “…They want to be clean, they want to take showers. When the laundry mat next to Ralph’s became something else, the only place to go is the laundry mat near Division and Harrison on the Westside. Don’t take things like doing your laundry for granted – it’s awesome….I can’t help but think this is due to misperceptions and misunderstandings. Somebody has to give if we’re going to do this. This is Olympia! Can this be happening? Olympia is better than this! Can’t we work together?”

Dan Rubin said he’s lived here since 1976. “It’s a tough issue. I share some of your fears. I trust Interfaith Works’ experience….I have two suggestions: 1. Get real specific about what can be measured as if you have 10 to 20 years of funding. Will there be less feces and urine on the streets? I advise you to act like the long-term is what you have to deal with….2. Bring police with you. It would be much more effective to answer ‘What should you do if’ type of questions.  Faith has to be there that criminal behavior will be intervened….We need to give this a try.”

Another man said, “Why the poor, why the homeless? Why was Christ home and poorless? Pope Francis, in Joy of the Gospel, said, “The poor and the homeless have much to teach us…to lend our voice to their causes…but also to be their friends…to possess a loving attention…. How beautiful are those cities who overcome, trust…How attractive…” The man concluded by saying, “My prayer is that we have that kind of integration in Olympia and our homeless will have a place to go in Olympia, wherever that may be.”

A woman said that she recently helped a man downtown near Furniture Works who said he was 76 years old. “No one should be sitting out there, much less a 76 year old! I was going to take him home. He was sitting on a bench. I…gave him food and water. When he became revived, he said, ‘I believe in the Lord!’ I was like, great, this man has gone to places where he’s had to say that or he knows there’s a God.’ Then he said, ‘You be sure to stay warm tonight because your heart bleeds.’” She said she has since gone downtown many times to find him again, but has been unsuccessful.

Another woman said she was homeless in 1957 when she was 17 years old, and again six years ago when the snow took out her house. “When I was 17, I worked for 25 cents an hour, and I made it. Now I’m in the Boardwalk Apartments. I’m not against helping the homeless, I’m against the location. They’re druggies and rapists. I don’t want them in my neighborhood. The homeless are pests.”

When the previous speaker said the last sentence, another woman jumped up to get in line to speak.

“Be gentle with each other! The homeless have been called trash, pollution, as if they were subhuman. If we’re going to have this conversation, they deserve respect. They are powerless!”

Another woman ended the evening by saying that she can’t think of a better location for the shelter. As for being near the Boardwalk Apartments, she addressed the woman who lives there (who recently spoke) saying, “You may disagree with me, but there’s nothing like a grandmother to give love and warming.”

To the organizers of the evening, she said, “What a job you do, I bow to you.”

For more information about The People’s House, go to www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com and use the search button using key words.

 

The People’s House is at www.thepeopleshouseoly.org.

Draft Drug Ordinance Covers All of Downtown Olympia

Draft Ordinance to be heard in Land Use this Thursday

By Janine Unsoeld
www.janinelittlehollywood.blogspot.com

A draft ordinance designating certain civic centers located in the city of Olympia and the area within 1000 feet of the perimeter of each civic center is being proposed as drug-free zones. The ordinance would add a new section to Olympia's municipal code.

These civic centers include the Hands-On Children’s Museum on Adams Street, the Washington Center on Washington Street, the Olympia Center on Columbia Street, Olympia City Hall on Fourth Avenue, and the Olympia Timberland Library on Eighth Avenue. A map indicating the areas shows that the entire downtown Olympia region is covered.

The draft ordinance will be heard on Thursday, February 20, 5:30 p.m., in the city’s Land Use and Environment Committee, at Olympia City Hall, 601 4th Avenue East.

The committee is chaired by Olympia city councilmember Steve Langer, and includes Councilmembers Jeannine Roe and Julie Hankins.

The draft ordinance, states, “…there is an increase in the consumption of illegal felony drugs, including methamphetamine and heroin….Drug-free zones will permit a potential enhanced sentence if a person is convicted of a felony drug offense in violation of RCW 59.50.401, 69.50.410, and 69.50.204, excluding marijuana leaves and flowering tops….”

The creation of the draft ordinance was a joint decision made between multiple agencies and departments within the city.  The police department worked with the city prosecutor, the Thurston County prosecutor, the Thurston County sheriff, the city manager’s office, the Community Planning & Development department, the parks department, and the public works department.

In response to several questions from Little Hollywood about the draft ordinance earlier this week, Olympia Police Chief Ronnie Roberts responded:

Little Hollywood:

I am not sure stiffer drug sentences are a deterrent to drug use or an ordinance will be helpful in guiding people where they choose to do drugs, do you? Perhaps this is one piece of an effort to "clean up" downtown?

 

The ordinance covers all of downtown. It sounds like the police would be doing their regular job to make arrests as needed, but the additional police time would come primarily after the arrest. If our police are able to do their part, and make the bust, have additional police time and court trial times been taken into consideration?

 

Has a potential enhanced sentence been discussed with city or county prosecutors? Is the Thurston County Drug Court involved in these discussions?

 

In the course of enforcing this ordinance, could there be an increased effort, or perceived effort, that police could stop and question/frisk people who look undesirable? I am not sure what our current police protocol is about this, but it's been an issue in other cities.

 

Olympia Police Chief Ronnie Roberts:

 

“The concept of creating drug free zones was an idea proposed by the county prosecutor several months ago when he and I were discussing a regional approach to address crimes downtown.  The RCW already identifies drug free zones and allows for local governing authorities to identify and designate civic centers as drug free zones. 
 
“The designation is not designed to eliminate drug crimes but can serve useful purposes.  It is part of a much broader strategy to reduce the impact of drugs in our downtown core.  It serves as a positive statement about what behaviors are acceptable and desired in our downtown and provides a way for the County Prosecutor to address chronic and repeated violations of drug crimes. 

“While the statute allows for enhanced penalties and some may be prosecuted under that context, it will help guide individuals into drug court and treatment through a criminal justice process.  It will also work to assist the prosecutor’s office in creating exclusion orders for individuals who are repeated committing felony drug crimes in downtown.  The prosecutor has committed one prosecutor to handle all downtown felony cases to ensure we are responding consistently.  She is also closely connected to the Thurston County narcotics task force. 

“The intention is to not prosecute every felony drug crime under this statute, we do not have the space to house every offender even if we wanted to but there are individuals who need treatment and the only likely way they will receive it is through an enforcement process. The city prosecutor has been involved in the drafting of the proposed changes to our municipal ordinance.

“The Olympia Police Department has made no changes to stop and frisk policies and will follow current laws.  There is a focused effort to change downtown and officers will be actively engaged in reducing crime downtown.  We are focused on criminal behavior not on social status.  We have two foot patrol officers assigned downtown who work with the Ambassador Program, Capital Recovery Center, Union Gospel, Sidewalk, Behavioral Health Services and many other services to address negative behavior that often stems from mental health issues and chemical dependency.”

Echoing Chief Roberts' response, Laura Wohl, public information officer for the city of Olympia police department, added: “The enforcement of the drug-free zones is really no different than the enforcement of the rest of our drug laws.  The drug-free zones add additional sentencing criteria for crimes that are committed within the zones that are drug-related.  In that sense, no additional enforcement is needed. 

“However, the illegal drug use has been growing downtown which is what has prompted a multi-prong response, including the drug-free zones.  Part of that response includes the addition of two walking patrol officers to our regular patrol complement.  One position was started in 2013 as a temporary position, but two full-time positions were funded in 2014.  In addition, we have emphasis patrols also occurring downtown. 

“Emphasis patrols involve officers working on a specific issue for a particular amount of time.  For example, several officers might be assigned to patrol a known area of drug dealing over Friday and Saturday night when drug deals are expected to occur.

“As you note, the criminal justice system is greater than just the police.  Most drug crimes are felonies, meaning they will be prosecuted by the county prosecutor’s office.  The prosecutor has worked closely with the city in developing our drug-crime reduction strategies and is prepared to devote the resources necessary to prosecute drug crimes.  Any incarceration would occur at the Thurston County jail and the Thurston County sheriff, who runs the jail, is also on board.”

Thurston County Prosecutor Jon Tunheim is expected to be in attendance at the Land Use committee meeting. 

 

Tumwater Brewery: A Contract Brewery for Samuel Adams or Sierra Nevada?

Above: The brewery and the swollen Deschutes River as seen yesterday from Tumwater Falls Park.

 

Positive Prospects Emerge For Tumwater Brewery Property

 By Janine Unsoeld

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

The last few years have been frustrating for Troy Dana, commercial real estate agent and property manager for the former brewery in Tumwater. Selling 800,000 square feet of cold, empty, dark and decrepit looking buildings is not easy, but recent prospects may be looking more positive.

No doubt, the removal of the covenant restricting production of alcoholic beverages at the property last June helped, but recent rumors brewing in the rainy South Sound air can now be confirmed to be based on truth.

In response to an inquiry from Little Hollywood, Dana offered tantalizing hope yesterday in exclusive interviews just before and during last night’s Brewery District Plan open house. A public hearing was held after the open house by the Tumwater Planning Commission and Tumwater city council.
 

“I can’t make a comment on specific companies, but several large brands are interested in the possibility of utilizing a contract brewery in Tumwater. It’s safe to say there are four that have expressed interest and would like to know more. I’m ready. It’s time.”

And no, it’s probably not MillerCoors time. The Miller days are gone, having blown the last whistle here in 2003, putting 400 people earning family wage jobs out of work.

 

Above: A Miller Brewing Company advertisement from a 2001 Lacey Thurston Chamber of Commerce membership directory.

 

Dana says the 31 acres involving the brew house and warehouse have been appraised at $16 million, and the building still has 300 barrel tanks, infrastructure, and plumbing to support a viable contract brewery here.

Dana says he receives, on average, about two inquiries a week about the property from around the world. Tumwater’s slogan, “It’s the Water,” comes from the production of beer since 1896 until 2003, with the exception of Prohibition.

In early February, Dana told the council that he is working with a developer from California who has redeveloped breweries and constructed breweries. The developer is reviewing the brewery property and considering the facility as a 250,000 barrel contract brewery.

Current Craft Beer Trends

According to the Brewers Association, a not-for-profit trade group, the craft beer industry is defined by four distinct markets: brewpubs, microbreweries, regional craft breweries, and contract brewing companies. Contract brewers hire underutilized but well-equipped regional breweries to produce a recipe with the contract brewer's own ingredients and formulas.

The Brewers Association tabulates production statistics for the U.S. brewing industry, and says that of the top 50 overall brewing companies, 39 are small and independent craft brewing companies.

“In 2012, craft surpassed six percent of the total U.S. beer market, with volume and dollar sales reaching record levels,” said Paul Gatza, director of the Brewers Association. “Increasingly, beer lovers are turning to craft brewed beer from small and independent producers to satisfy their thirst for bold, innovative and flavor-forward beers.”

The top five U.S. craft brewing companies based on 2012 beer sales volume are: 

1. Boston Beer Co. Boston, Massachusetts

2. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Chico, California
3. New Belgium Brewing Co. Fort Collins, Colorado
4. The Gambrinus Co. San Antonio, Texas
5. Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Oregon

Dana declined to comment yesterday when asked about a particular company or brand. Samuel Adams is an American brand of beer brewed by the Boston Beer Company and its associated contract brewers.

Sierra Nevada is based in California. According to an upcoming March issue of Forbes magazine, Sierra Nevada will host a participatory “Beer Camp Across America” traveling festival this summer to highlight its place within the broader craft-beer movement.
 
Other Offers

In early February, Dana also shared information with the Tumwater City Council about an opportunity that came and went last year.

He said he was contacted by a man representing a national company that provides short-term storage for vehicles for soldiers deployed overseas, who asked about the potential of utilizing the brewery warehouse and parking lot. The individual received a federal contract and faced a tight timeline on whether it could be used. The rate the company was prepared to pay would have been satisfactory for a developer to offset the cost of acquiring the facility.

Dana advised the individual that he didn’t believe it was possible under the interim zoning but contacted Tumwater city administrator John Doan and met with staff to explain the situation. City staff advised Dana that under the provisions of the interim zoning, the use wasn’t allowed. Dana had offered to meet with the council to request reconsideration of the request but learned the company had moved forward to select another site. He asked the council to consider exceptions to the interim zoning, which is mixed-use.

Dana said the situation was frustrating, because “it was the right opportunity for the right reason.”
 

Dana said one of the most lucrative, attention getting ideas he’s been approached about has been interest expressed by local and national marijuana growers to use the facility and use the beer tanks.

“I’ve been told they would be perfect, hermetically sealed vessels for growing marijuana.”

The budding pot market aside, Dana says his focus has always been to bring another brewery back to Tumwater. He even thinks the brewery could attract 500,000 barrel contract brewery.

Asked if the building wasn’t too old and decrepit, Dana said, “We need to find that developer with experience with mixed use, brew pub tasting, who knows how to redevelop a site, identify that developer, and introduce them to this opportunity....We need to find out what kind of market opportunities are out there, and face the realities of what we have. Given what we know today, a contract brewery makes a lot of sense.

“A contract brewery here would be a strong logistical advantage....Breweries ship their product from the East Coast, with plenty of transportation costs. The brewery is a complex site. It’s going to take a visionary to take the next step to mitigate the risk.”

Dana, a resident of Thurston County since 1973, says he’s lived through the cultural changes of the area and remembers when “your manliness was determined by how many beers you could drink in five minutes,” he says, laughing.

Dana has attended previous Brewery District Plan open houses. “They’ve been good, and create community involvement, but at the end of the day, it will take viable capital solutions. Until then, it’s still a lot of good ideas.”

He says Centralia and Port Townsend are great examples of communities with downtowns that have come back from the brink of economic decay.

“Their downtowns are remarkable. I went to Centralia in December for the Christmas Tractor Pull and thousands of people were lining the street at 7:00 p.m. to see 40 to 50 tractors decorated with Christmas lights. I held hands with my wife, drinking coffee, and at no point ever did we feel uncomfortable with the quality of people there.

“We’re at the tipping point…at some point, somebody has to step up and we’re going to turn this around. I have invested endless energy and countless resources trying to create an economic interest in this. There’s still extraordinary brand equity in that complex. Bring it back and you’ll have substantial community support,” said Dana.

 

Above: Proving It's Still the Water, the mighty Deschutes River runs through Tumwater yesterday afternoon. The former brewery is in the distance. The Falls Terrace restaurant can also be seen in the video.

 

Above: Close up of easel poster on display at last night's Brewery District Plan open house in Tumwater. The circles indicate proposed roundabouts.

 

For more information about Tumwater businesses, land use, environmental issues, or the draft Brewery District Plan, read other articles at Little Hollywood at www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com and use the search button.

 

Tumwater Brewery District Plan Heard

 

 

Open House and Public Hearing held Tuesday night

By Janine Unsoeld

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

The Tumwater City Council and the Tumwater Planning Commission held an open house and a public hearing Tuesday night regarding the Brewery District Plan in Tumwater. Both events were held at South Sound Manor.

The purpose of the Brewery District Plan is to guide future development to create a mixed-use district that supports a variety of businesses and residential uses. Strategies are proposed for improving the transportation system as well as the function and character of the historic center of Tumwater.

The themes presented in the Brewery District Plan offer to create a stronger sense of place, improve transportation options, safety and access, expand and preserve economic opportunity and activity, and improve the function and appearance of the built environment.

The city has held several open houses, which have all been well attended, with between 125 – 200 people in attendance at each meeting. City of Tumwater planner Tim Smith said that 6,000 people are on their Brewery District Plan mailing list, 1,500 are on the email list, and staff has met onsite to interview 50 business owners.

A focus group of 16 citizens, business, and property owners, community leaders, and elected officials have met over the past year to process the information. The Thurston Regional Planning Council and consultants have assisted in the process, which began in 2012.

The city hosted an open house at the same location prior to the public hearing. Easels with posters were set up around the room explaining land use alternatives, transportation and gateway elements, pedestrian and bicycle improvements, and transit and parking strategies.

Little has changed since the last public open house held in October. The draft plan was revealed in late January.

Transportation patterns in Tumwater have changed dramatically in the last 15 – 20 years. Much of it is generated from outside the area and much of it is pass-through traffic. When people take the bus, they often use the transit station on Cleveland Avenue near Safeway.

Dennis Bloom, planning manager of Intercity Transit, mingled with community members during the open house and stayed for the hearing. Bloom lives in Tumwater, where he says he does 90 percent of his shopping. When asked, Bloom explained the transit element, illustrated by a poster on an easel.

“At the transit station, four routes come together on Cleveland - #43 to the Westside, #68 to Lacey, #12 to neighborhoods and downtown, and #13 along the Capitol Way corridor. The plan is to move the transit station to Capitol Way…in its current location, the sidewalk doesn’t currently accommodate people, it’s not wide enough. It’s the busiest area in Tumwater.” Bloom said 300 – 400 people are served per transfer at that transit center.

Before the hearing, Sally Nash, chair of the Tumwater Planning Commission, said that the District Plan materials have been educational. A resident of Tumwater for 19 years, Nash is the retired manager of the Timberland Library in Tumwater.

“I’m very proud to be a Tumwater resident. The Plan is wonderful and exciting for the area, and quite futuristic. I don’t see it happening immediately. We’ve had tremendous input from the public….we have an involved citizenry.”

Tumwater residents Nick and Jaime Vann said they have come to several open houses. Looking over the easel information, Nick Vann said, “This is what it could be, but there needs to be incentives for developers. We have a lot of underused and inefficient areas, transportation-wise in particular. There’s currently no sense of place either. It’s important to get community buy-in so if we have to vote on any of this, then we know more. We’re homeowners – so we’ll be paying for it.”

Before the hearing, Mayor Pete Kmet and staff gave a 45 minute history of the draft Brewery District Plan, and said that the plan lays the foundation for future efforts.

“There’s money in the budget for the next level of planning, but we’re a long way from construction,” said Tumwater Mayor Pete Kmet at the beginning of the hearing.

Public testimony covered a diversity of topics. Despite the ongoing publicity, open houses and meetings, some business owners were caught off guard with the Plan’s proposals.

Dan Vavrinec, general manager for Falls Terrace restaurant, said that initial flyers did not include the restaurant in the focus areas discussed. The restaurant has been in Vavinec’s family since 1969. His concerns were around the loss of parking in both options.

“Proposed changes…to Deschutes Way would be devastating and without doubt cause the closure of the Falls Terrace.” He said that option 1 would remove 50 parking spaces, and option 2 would remove 28 spaces, and both would place parking farther away. “Either option 1 or 2 would mean the loss of an area icon and the loss of employment for 42 persons.”

Vavrinec said that the current parking area is used and shared by Tumwater Falls Park in peak season, many community events such as the Duck Dash in June, and nearby businesses. He offered alternative proposals and improvements to the area.

Lonnie Lowe, Tumwater Chiropractic Center, and Larry Weaver of The Valley Club supported Vavrinec’s testimony, and added their own concerns.

“The reality is, when you change parking, it’s detrimental to business. People drive to where they want to go….urban centers haven’t taken off as much as people would like them to. When I go to downtown Olympia, if I have to circle the block a few times, I go to the mall. People with bad backs don’t ride their bikes….” said Lowe.

Weaver said The Valley Athletic Club has 11,000 members, and while the District Plan was an interesting concept, re-routing traffic and changing parking would present difficulties for the club and the Tumwater golf course.

Chris VanDaalen said that he appreciated the community process and said that the proposed zoning code amendments would provide a good opportunity for Tumwater to become a carbon neutral community, and a model for energy efficiency. He encouraged the use of renewable resources, being mindful of building orientation, and solar options to achieve net zero energy usage.

Bob Jacobs, a member of the Governor Stevens neighborhood, expressed concern about the general commercial zoning in the Sunset triangle neighborhood area, saying there was no buffer between the triangle and residential area. He also urged that as the area becomes more dense, to not forget parks for green space.

Sandra Brown, Capital Council of the Blind, said she appreciated the audible signals in the area, but had concerns about safety on Cleveland at the Intercity Transit transfer station.

“Right now we need to cross Cleveland…it’s very dangerous – you take your life in your hands. I’ll have the same concerns if it’s on Capitol Way.” She suggested the closure of the area around Safeway on Cleveland from the inside of both driveways into Tumwater Square, so that cars can’t access the area in the middle of Cleveland. Brown said this suggestion has been brought up before but didn’t make it into the final draft proposals.

Jack Horton, president of the Woodland Greenway Trail Association, said that the Plan presents a huge transformation to the area. “Pedestrians and bicyclists are the indicator species of a community’s values…it’s face-to-face instead of windshield-to-windshield. We have a growing knowledge-based economy, and what’s going to happen is, those people are going to select the kind of community they want to live in….and Tumwater has some iconic treasures….”

Walt Jorgenson, a former Tumwater city councilmember, asked that the council exercise caution about the nature of their investments. “If the private sector isn’t doing it, then there might be a reason for it…pick and choose elements of the plan that may be better than another.”

Stewart Hartman said he’s lived in Tumwater “since the town had a population of 800 people”, and that his father was hired to work for the brewery by the Schmidt family. He’s been working on an ambitious proposal to convert the brewery into an international cultural center, an environmental center, a day care center, a small vendor’s ‘world’s fair’ type of program, and restaurant, describing his plan as “a major co-op where everyone owns it and the profits can to redistributed to everyone in the county…it’ll have something for everyone.”

Judy Bardin appreciated the Plan’s visuals, and urged that the commission and the council maintain historic views. She also expressed concerns about putting people near traffic as the area becomes more densely populated, saying that health research indicates that there are adverse health effects such as childhood asthma, and that light pollution and noise from traffic causes hypertension and sleep disturbances.

The planning commission will consider all comments, make modifications to the Plan, and make recommendations to the city council. They will meet for work sessions to discuss the Plan on February 25 and March 11. A recommendation from the commission to Tumwater city council is expected in March.

Copies of the draft Brewery District Plan are available for review  in the Community Development Department at Tumwater City Hall, 555 Israel Road SW, Tumwater, during regular business hours, or online at www.trpc.org.

Low Barrier Homeless Shelter Forum Set

Above: A homeless person sleeping mid-day in plain sight on Columbia Street last month.

The People's House: Shelter Discussion on Wednesday

By Janine Unsoeld

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Coordinators for The People's House, a proposed low barrier homeless shelter project that will provide day and night services to chronically homeless adults, will host a public forum on Wednesday, February 19th, 7:00 pm in the sanctuary of Temple Beth Hatfiloh, 201 8th Ave SE, in downtown Olympia.

A presentation for a 40 bed low barrier shelter for the homeless, now proposed to be located in downtown Olympia, will include ample time for questions and answers.

The People’s House is a project of Interfaith Works, a 501c3 nonprofit. Coordinators assure that the facility will be a safe environment, and monitored by trained, paid, qualified staff.

In a February 3 email from Meg Martin, program director for The People’s House, Martin announced the first installment of a video series that will be used for community outreach, engagement and education as the group continues to secure a downtown site for the shelter.

“As we pursue finding a location that we can call home, we have started initial outreach to surrounding neighbors and businesses of 113 Thurston St. NE. This is a starting point for dialogue. We are prepared for on-going outreach and communication to ensure that we are a positive and necessary piece of the puzzle for improving downtown. Thank you all so much for your time and consideration.”

In the 15 minute video, at www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb11cjXTwoI The People’s House project coordinators Meg Martin, Cassie Burke, and Jefferson Doyle present their case, and the need for a community low barrier shelter.

“Homelessness is a complicated issue and The People’s House is one essential component of a solution,” says Burke in the video.

The shelter will service a diverse audience in need: adult men and women, couples, elderly, pet owners and service animals, overflow clients from the Safeplace domestic violence shelter, members of the LGBTQ community, and those with mental health challenges.

The facility will offer a community space, garden and kitchen, bathroom, shower and laundry facilities, internet, hygienic supplies, personal storage, a physical mailing address, and in partnership with Capital Recovery Center, offer a place to receive mental health support.

In the video, homeless advocate Selena Kilmoyer says the shelter is ideal for 2014.

“It’s a downtown hub of hope and solidarity which is so dramatically needed.”

Current statistics proving the street community’s needs are being supplied three ways: a direct survey conducted last year of the street community, a gaps analysis conducted by Thurston County homeless coordinator director Theresa Slusher, and the most recent “point-in-time” Homeless Census count.

In the video, Anna Schlect, housing manager for the City of Olympia, says 686 folks were counted in the most recent survey conducted in January.

“Over one-third were unsheltered – that means they had no emergency shelter…they could be living in cars, under bridges, abandoned buildings, out in the open…that’s a lot of people that have no roof over their head.”

Other homeless advocates featured in the video include Renata Rollins, a City of Olympia-related Downtown Ambassador, several downtown business owners, Sara Pete, senior librarian at Olympia Timberland Library, and Thurston County commissioner Karen Valenzuela.

A list of 52 downtown businesses is mentioned in the video as supporters of The People’s House.

Sara Reilly, owner of Darby’s Café, located on 5^th Avenue, says downtown businesses are used as a day center, as many buy a cup of coffee to “rent space” to sit and rest, and get warm. She says The People’s House will help take the pressure off downtown businesses.

There are many reasons why Olympia has become a hub for the homeless of Thurston County, including the fact that it is the state capitol, with Intercity Transit providing regional, multi-county access and the national Greyhound bus system, both of which brings homeless people downtown from other places.

In a telephone conversation this afternoon, Martin said nothing regarding the actual location of a low barrier shelter is set in stone, and said that The People’s House in downtown Olympia is a step in the right direction.

The People’s House welcomes private donations. Donations may be sent via mail to: Interfaith Works, PO Box 1221, Olympia, Washington 98507, noting that your donation is intended for The People's House. Donations may also be made online via PayPal at www.interfaith-works.org.

For more information or ways to get involved in The People’s House, visit their website at www.thepeopleshouseoly.org

The Thurston County 10 year Homeless Plan is at: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/sscp/PDF/2010-Ten-Year-Homeless-Plan-Executive-Summary-20101207.pdf

Smells Like Team Spirit

by Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Above: Jiana Gates, 24, of Olympia, stopped by the Pike Place Market in Seattle earlier this weekend to say hi to Rachel the Pig. Rachel has temporarily been turned into a pigskin in anticipation of the Big Game. Go Seahawks!

Small Farm Serves the Community In Its Own Big Way

 

Above: Evan Berry of Ladyberry Produce washes carrots she just harvested from her farm's garden last Friday.

 

by Janine Unsoeld

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

 

At an agritourism panel discussion a couple years ago involving six local food producers and consumers, Sara Rocker, a staff advisor to The Evergreen's State College's Flaming Eggplant Café, said that the college was producing graduates who were creating a new workforce in the area of agriculture sustainability and restaurant management.

 

One of those graduates is Evan Berry, 26, who graduated from The Evergreen State College in 2008, receiving her B.A. in Chemistry and Sustainable Agriculture.

 

She is now the farm manager of Ladyberry Produce, and leases land on the 84 year old Esterly family farm in northeast Olympia. She has created a successful business for herself on two acres of land that produces her crops.

 

“I love growing veggies...there is a need for the community farm. I love meeting people. Being here on this land, you really see that heritage - it's quite an honor keeping the local community supplied with food. It's pretty cool," said Berry.

Berry’s future ideas include welcoming Boston Harbor elementary children to her farm to learn where their food comes from. For now, she's willing to stay small.

“I'm still getting the fundamentals down and getting dialed in, but in the future, I want to be involved in the school lunch program, and other public education opportunities," Berry said.

When I first stopped by her farm in December of 2012, she showed off her 24 varieties of garlic that were just beginning to sprout their green stems out from the straw.  Her Community Sustainable Agriculture (CSA) options usually include beets, cabbage, carrots, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, chard, garlic, potatoes, and more.

Chatting with her, she said she would be interested in providing her produce to area restaurants, and learning more about how to do that.

Above: Ladyberry's kohlrabi in December.

 

A whole year later, I caught up with her again this past week, and found Berry busier than ever. She just completed servicing her winter customers though a pre-paid CSA program, and still provides a substantial amount of produce to the nearby Gull Harbor Mercantile, and folks driving by her farm stand.

Overall, she had a great year. During the summer, she harvested about 1500 pounds of garlic, her main crop, 200 pounds of tomatoes a week, as well as leeks, beets, broccoli, eggplant, beans, peppers, lettuce, peas, potatoes, salad greens, summer squash, zucchini, strawberries and more. 

Her 12 week winter CSA program with 20 customers just ended this last Wednesday. With only half an acre in production for the winter, Berry turned down 15 potential CSA customers this year.

“It was the biggest winter operation I’ve ever had ….I’m realizing it’s a niche thing – I definitely now realize people are not gardening in the fall so there’s been a lot of interest and support,” she said this week.

Her winter crops took a hit last month.

“The early freeze in mid-December took out all my cauliflower and chard, so when you emailed me this week and asked me how my cauliflower was this year, I was like, ‘AAARRGGG,’” she laughed. Despite the 11 degree weather that hit parts of the South Sound during that freeze, Berry says she still had enough produce to keep her going.

“I lost a lot of greens too, but I had Brussels sprouts and carrots – about 100 to 200 pounds of carrots.”  She’s still giving carrots away, and has discovered yet another niche customer – those who buy and use boxes of vegetables for their fresh smoothie and juice regiments. “Kale, chard, cukes, beets, carrots, greens…they’re all good!"

Eighty percent of her business income is derived from her farm stand and CSA program, and 20 percent is derived via wholesale sales to local businesses.

“The Mercantile has been great, and my carrots and beets go to the Blue Heron Bakery each week. Lisa, the owner of Nineveh, the Syrian food truck, is so supportive – she buys my eggplant, cukes, anything! She says, ‘I’ll buy it!’ when I call her. That’s been great!”

Berry says the soil is good despite the dry winter and she’s looking forward to tilling the ground in late February or early March to get it ready for spring plantings. For now, she says she’ll start seeding tomatoes, onions, peppers, eggplant, and more to germinate under lights in the barn, and then transfer them to the greenhouse.

She says she’s looking forward to the next season. “People new to my winter CSA program want to become summer CSA customers!”

Still, despite Berry’s ready smile and upbeat demeanor, she admits, when asked, how she keeps going despite weather problems and other challenges.

“Farming is a gamble in general, making a commitment to sow those seeds, keeping at it every day, to keep working….”

By all accounts, Northeast Olympia and Boston Harbor area residents are happy that she's doing a great job doing just what she's doing.

Above: Evan Berry of Ladyberry Produce shows off her bumper crop of cauliflower in December 2012.

Women In Agriculture Conference

The third annual Women In Agriculture webinar conference will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2014. The location in Olympia will be at South Puget Sound Community College.

Through a combination of in-person networking and presentations, and the viewing of webinar broadcasts, the conference brings the best of national and local speakers to easily accessible locations in Washington State.  Participants will have an opportunity to meet other local farmers and offer inspirational stories and practical advice on how to improve your management skills.

Last year, nearly 500 women at 20 locations in Washington heard a national speaker offer advice on improving farming skills, marketing, labor issues and work-life balance. Financial information and networking with each other about challenges and risks was valuable to everyone who attended.

The localized format of the conference is designed so women producers can benefit from a statewide conference while still meeting their on-farm duties at home.

For registration information, go to www.WomenInAg.wsu.edu, or contact Donna Rolen, donna.rolen@wsu.edu or Margaret Viebrock, Conference Director, WSU Extension, (509) 745-8531 or  viebrock@wsu.edu.