Spokane-based nonprofit Excelsior Wellness is planning a multifamily development in northwest Spokane where housing and mentorship will come together to provide new opportunities for transitional-age youth and elders alike.

The project, dubbed the Excelsior Wellness Intergenerational Living Community, will be located at 2303 W. Northwest Blvd., on a bluff overlooking the T.J. Meenach Bridge and Spokane River. 

Excelsior CEO Andrew Hill says, "We're aiming to create a supportive environment for elders and transition-age youth, addressing their unique vulnerabilities and fostering a community where there's mentorship and growth."

The idea is to build a community where people over 55 years old can mentor young adults aged 18 to 24. 

The project is valued at $6.8 million, according to predevelopment plans on file with the city of Spokane. 

"We're close to finalizing the capital stack for the program," he says.

An existing, abandoned 3,300-square-foot house and garage will be demolished at the project site, plans show.

-Erica Bullock
An abandoned structure is planned for demolition to make way for the proposed Excelsior Wellness Intergenerational Living Community on Northwest Boulevard in northwest Spokane.

Groundbreaking for the multifamily project is expected early next year, Hill adds. 

Between 39 and 44 rental units are envisioned at the property and will be comprised of studios, one-bedroom units, and two-bedroom units.

The property will have an outdoor activity area and a rooftop patio with views of the Spokane River. That space is intended to align with Excelsior's vision to emphasize community areas. The gathering spaces will involve programming that promotes social connections, Hill says, adding that the programming, "is just as important as providing the space."

Hill describes the neighborhood as full of benefits, including many nearby local business owners who've been approached about partnering to create additional workforce opportunities. Additionally, the property is next to a park built atop the city of Spokane's Cochran Control stormwater management facility, with access to trails to the river and Spokane Falls Community College south of the bridge.

Nearby, Spokane Alpine Haus, a ski and snowboard shop, is opening a second store at 2215 W. Northwest Blvd., as previously reported by the Journal.

Spokane-based Bernardo Wills has designed the conceptual site plan for the property. No contractor has been selected yet, although Hill says he's looking for contractor support to help with the predesign process.

"It's really important to us that we come up with solutions that provide opportunities for these two populations and also opportunities for some market-rate units," Hill says, adding that determining the right mix of income levels and unit types is crucial to support the project.

North of the housing and mentorship community, Excelsior is preparing to open Gildred's Garage, a workforce development center, in the old Shogren's facility at 2321 W. Northwest Blvd.

Named in honor of the late U.S. ambassador and philanthropist Ted Gildred, of the Americas Foundation, Gildred's Garage will offer a vocational program to introduce youth and young adults to the field of electric vehicle technology.

Gildred's Garage will focus on converting gas engines to electric. The center also will function as an introduction to skilled construction trades and later will connect students to existing community programs for continued learning. 

The goal is to create an avenue for elders with trade experience to help spark interest in young adults and other older adults who are interested in learning a new trade.

"It's exciting to think about the possibilities of how something like this community could really promote a lot for different generations," Hill says.

Hill notes that participation at the workforce development center isn't going to be required of residents of the intergenerational living community.

Excelsior will continue operations at its main campus, located at 3754 W. Indian Trail Road. The nonprofit is planning an open house this month for the completion of an $8 million renovation project that involved remodeling about 12,000 square feet of the 60,000-square-foot facility and also added about 1,500 square feet of clinic space and exterior site improvements, Hill says.

The nonprofit also is developing a $120 million comprehensive wellness village at its Indian Trail campus, which will open the property to public access, add housing, and create a commercial retail district, as previously reported in the Journal. 

The new integrated housing, mentorship, and workforce development campus project reflects Excelsior's values and commitment to inclusive community building and the support of underserved populations, which was the driver of the Northwest Boulevard development, Hill explains.

"It's a natural evolution of our organization's mission," Hill says. "We're providing a community environment that's intergenerational and supportive to help each of those populations experience something really valuable."

Project updates:

 A $5 million, 12-unit apartment building and associated parking project, dubbed the Woodbee Apartments, is proposed at 2517 E. Upriver Drive, north of the Spokane River, according to a shoreline application on file with the city of Spokane.

An existing 2,500-square-foot duplex, built in 2005, will remain onsite, site plans show. Along with the three-story multifamily building, over 20 parking stalls will be added to the north side of the property.

St. Louis, Missouri-based Woodbee LLC purchased the 0.7-acre lot for $930,000 in July, according to Washington state tax records.

Whipple Consulting Engineers Inc., of Spokane Valley, is the project applicant for the shoreline conditional use permit. No architect or contractor has been named on permit information.

Construction could begin next spring, project information states.