YWCA Buys the Wilsonian
A just received a letter from the Pierce County YWCA announced that the organization had purchased the Wilsonian at 401 St. Helens. The current facility is, in their words, “simply wearing out.” With the new purchase, the YWCA will be able to move the domestic violence shelter from 405 Broadway to the Wilsonian.
The current leases expire in May and current tenants will be allowed to stay until then. The YWCA will help with relocation including providing moving expenses. They hope to have the 25 unit shelter up and running by the end of 2009.
An interesting note is that the YWCA staffs its buildings 24/7/365 and keep an ever watchful eye on the neighborhood. This helps keeps the community safe and should be good for the corner. With that in mind …
When is 402 St. Helens going market rate again
(Thank you, Erik)
5 comments
T Thorax O'Tool January 26, 2009
Isn’t the Wilsonian currently apartments?
J Jake January 26, 2009
Is the YWCA still planning the expansion of their current building on Broadway? I saw some some pretty nice plans posted somewhere awhile back
U uoaaa181 January 27, 2009
I lived in this building about 10 years ago when it was going through the first renovation. Was a great starter apartment! We always disliked the building across the street but not because of its residents. It was because the building itself is so pedestrian and urban unfriendly.
The loss of the church next door and its replacement by the Courtyard Marriott-esque monstrosity was also a diservice to the neighborhood.
After following the link back to the story about 402 St. Helens and thinking about the economy now, it got me wondering how many of those people who were against affordable housing would now really appreciate it b/c they lost part of their income/are in a mortgage they can no longer afford/etc. Affordable housing doesn’t always mean no income tenants nor undesirables. Affordable also means police salaries, teacher salaries, etc.
K Kelly January 27, 2009
Yes, the Wilsonion is an apartment building. The apartment units will serve the women and children staying in the YWCA’s shelter once the move is complete.
Each family unit will enjoy the privacy of an individual apartment unit during their stay with us as they seek safety instead of the communal living space we offer now.
Currently, the YWCA has no concrete plans for renovating our existing space, though we are exploring the options the free space will generate. We are excited to serve more women and children with the dignity that privacy affords!
T Thorax O'Tool January 28, 2009
Having lived in shelters growing up, I can 100% agree… dignity goes such a long way.