NEW CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY ON EMPTY LAND NEAR THE PORT TOWNSEND CITY LIMITS JUST EAST OF HOWARD CIRCLE. THE BUILDING WILL GO UP PRETTY QUICKLY AND WILL BE THE NEW OFFICE FOR THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES. 

DSHS WILL BE LEASING THE BUILDING, WHICH WILL BE OWNED BY NELSON REALTY ADVISORS IN BELLEVUE. THE DEPARTMENT WON’T EXPAND ITS TWENTY-SEVEN MEMBER STAFF OR SERVICES FOR THE MOVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE VOCATIONAL REHAB, DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES ADMINISTRATION, HOME AND COMMUNITY SERVICES AND ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES AT THE NEW LOCATION.  

THE DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY OCCUPIES THE TOP FLOOR OF NINE FIFTEEN SHERIDAN STREET, IN A BUILDING OWNED BY JEFFERSON HEALTHCARE. THE MOVE WAS PRECIPITATED BY THE HOSPITAL’S DECISION TO NOT RENEW THE DEPARTMENT’S LEASE IN ORDER TO CREATE SPACE FOR ITS OWN EXPANDING SERVICES. 

HOSPITAL SPOKESPERSON AMY YALEY TOLD KPTZ THAT THE NEW SPACE WILL HOUSE MORE PROVIDERS WHO WILL SERVE THE COMMUNITY’S HEALTH NEEDS. THIS EXPANSION WILL INCREASE LOCAL ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE. A DENTAL CLINIC IS ALREADY OPERATING IN THE SPACE. 

THE CITY HAS CREATED A SHOVEL-READY ENVIRONMENT FOR NEW BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ALONG RANIER STREET, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN FEW TAKERS. THIS BUILDING COULD OPEN THE DOOR FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT, AS NO ONE WANTS TO MOVE INTO AN EMPTY NEIGHBORHOOD. 

***

DOVE HOUSE ADVOCACY SERVICES PLANS TO OPEN A RECOVERY CAFE THIS SUMMER TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH ADDICTION, HOMELESSNESS AND OTHER SOCIAL CHALLENGES. 

THE PORT TOWNSEND RECOVERY CAFE IS PART OF A NATIONWIDE NETWORK WHERE PEOPLE CAN SEEK RECOVERY IN A WELCOMING, CAFE-LIKE SETTING. 

BRIAN RICHARDSON, CURRENTLY THE VENTURE’S ONLY PAID EMPLOYEE, TOLD KPTZ THAT A LOT OF REMODELING WORK IS NECESSARY ON THE BUILDING AT THE CORNER OF KEARNEY AND BLAINE, ACROSS FROM THE MOUNTAIN VIEW CAMPUS. DOVE HOUSE HAS ENTERED INTO A PURCHASE AGREEMENT PROJECTED TO CLOSE IN JULY. ONCE COMPLETED, THE FACILITY WILL OFFER SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO RECEIVE COUNSELING, HOOK UP TO RESOURCES, OR JUST SIT FOR A WHILE. 

CLIENTS WILL NEED TO BE SOBER WHEN THEY ENTER THE FACILITY AND MUST ALSO COMMIT TO A VOLUNTEER TASK, OF WHICH RICHARDSON SAID THERE IS AN INFINITE NUMBER AVAILABLE. THIS INCLUDES SERVING AS BOARD MEMBERS, TEACHING CLASSES, COOKING MEALS, ASSISTING WITH ACTIVITIES OR PARTICIPATING IN SPECIAL PROJECTS. 

NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO DONATE MONEY TO THE VENTURE, AS THEY HAVE EARNED A TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR MATCHING GRANT. IF YOU WANT TO VOLUNTEER IN SUPPORT OF THE VENTURE, CONTACT THE DOVE HOUSE. IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF THESE SERVICES, THE FACILITY IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN AUGUST. 

THE FACILITY, WHICH INCLUDES A COMMERCIAL KITCHEN, NOW HOUSES CANDACE’S COOKIES, WHICH WILL NEED TO RELOCATE. PERHAPS IT CAN FIND SPACE IN THE NEW DSHS BUILDING.