February 23, 2017
Vote for The Marion West for 2016 Building of the Year!

LIHI's innovative mixed-use project The Marion West has been nominated by the Daily Journal of Commerce for 2016 Building of the Year.  To vote for The Marion West, please visit the Daily Journal of Commerce voting page.  Voting is open through February 28th.

The Marion West, with milk crate rooftop garden - vegetables grown are distributed by   University District Foodbank                                      Photo by Michael Walmsley

The Marion West, at 5019 University Way NE in Seattle's University District, opened in June, 2016. This innovative project brings together multiple, synergistic community benefits under one roof:
 
Housing: LIHI's housing includes 49 studio apartments: 20 affordable apartments for homeless young adults (ages 18 to 24) and 29 apartments for low-wage workers entering the workforce.
 
Supportive Services: YouthCare and Ryther provide onsite supportive services for the formerly homeless young adult residents of The Marion West to help them stabilize their lives, maintain their housing, find employment, and thrive.
 
Food Bank: The ground floor houses the new location of the University District Food Bank, greatly expanding their capacity to feed needy families in the area. The Food Bank uses the roof for urban agriculture by growing vegetables and herbs. 
 
Job Training Café: Street Bean Coffee has a location on the ground floor. Street Bean's barista program trains and employs young people seeking to exit street life.
 
Library: The U District branch of the Seattle Public Library is next door, providing a convenient, valuable, practical and cultural resource to residents.

University District Foodbank garage entrance with art by Nikki McClure
University District Foodbank garage door with art by Nikki McClure
 
 
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Sharon Lee
Executive Director
Low Income Housing Institute