Category: General

The goal of City of Olympia’s Art Crossings program is to place public art into Olympia’s neighborhoods, contribute to a sense of community identity, and introduce place making elements that help to define and bring together different areas of our community.  Having worked through the process to design approval on West Bay Drive, we are now starting the process for Eastside Street at the bridge over I-5. Arts Program Manager Stephanie Johnson was at the ENA Annual meeting on August 25 to set the foundation for the new project by asking 4 questions:

-What do you value about your neighborhood? 
-What do you want people to know about your neighborhood? 
-How is the neighborhood connected to Olympia? 
-What else should the artist know?

This was a great exercise to do with neighbors, but if you didn’t make the annual picnic, we’d still like to hear from you!  Please complete the survey – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BV6T7ZT – by September 9.

More information is available at olympiawa.gov/artplan or by contacting at Stephanie at [email protected] or 360.709.2678.

By now you have probably heard about the Plum Street Village (PSV), a transitional housing site featuring 29 tiny houses. It is staffed and run by LIHI (Low Income Housing Institute) who provide case management and services to the residents.

After running for a couple of months a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) was formed with the Eastside Neighborhood Association given a seat. The committee acts as information sharer and helps support the staff through the committee members experience and ties within the wider community.

If you ever have issue with the PSV or want to get involved, reach out to the ENA and we will direct you to the appropriate person.

The first set of minutes for the CAC are here.

At the Annual general Meeting we had John Brown, the site manager, and Jo, the Case Manager, for the Village.

It was asked if the donation list could be supplied, so here it is!

Food or meal donations/support

In order to ensure our residents are properly fed, we prioritize support with providing food. The village will accept breakfast and lunch to feed up to 45 people. Please contact village staff to schedule a date to provide a meal. Non-perishable food items are also appreciated

● Toiletries (shampoo, bar soap, tampons, deodorant, etc.)

● Laundry detergent pods

● Cat and dog food

● New blankets, sheets, and pillows

● Kitchen towels, bath towels, and washcloths

● Adult socks, hats, and gloves

● Laundry baskets and storage bins

● Doormats

Hand sanitizer

● 13 Gallon plastic bags

All donations can be dropped off starting January 22nd, at:

Plum Street Village, 830 Union Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501

If you have any questions, please email John Brown, the Special Projects Manager, at [email protected] or call the Plum Street Village Phone – 206-471- 8891 Huge thanks to our amazing community for your support for the village!

For more information visit: lihi.org/tiny-houses

Laundry detergent pods ● Cat and dog food ● New blankets, sheets, and pillows ● Kitchen towels, bath towels, and washcloths ● Adult socks, hats, and gloves ● Laundry baskets and storage bins ● Doormats ● 13 Gallon plastic bags ● Hand sanitizer All donations can be dropped off starting January 22nd, at: Plum Street Village – 830 Union Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501 If you have any questions, please email John Brown, the Special Projects Manager, at [email protected] or call the Plum Street Village Phone – 206-471- 8891 Huge thanks to our amazing community for your support for the village! For more information visit: lihi.org/tiny-houses

Please join Plum Street Village staff, Olympia city officials, and your fellow neighbors on Thursday, Jan. 31, for a neighborhood open house of Plum Street Village, a tiny house village for people experiencing homelessness.

The Open House will be a chance to meet the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) staff who will be managing the site, to learn more about the village, and to take a tour. A brief speaking program will begin at 4:30 pm.

About the Village:
Plum Street Village will provide shelter, community, and safety for 40 people currently experiencing homelessness, including couples, single individuals, and people with pets. It will include 29 tiny houses with electricity, heat, insulation, windows and a lockable door, a security office, communal kitchen, bathrooms, showers, laundry, resource space, and a case management office. Low Income Housing Institute Case Managers will work with residents to help them obtain permanent housing, employment, health care, treatment, education, and other services. LIHI is partnering with SideWalk to obtain referrals. The City of Olympia is supporting village operations and case management.

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, January 31
Time: 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Address: 830 Union Ave SE,
Olympia, WA 98501

Parking is limited. Please avoid parking in the alleyway, Justice Center lot, or Olympia Veterinary Specialists lot.