Excelsior Wellness is making progress on the development of the Excelsior Wellness Intergenerational Living Community project, at 2303 W. Northwest Blvd., in Spokane, with newly updated design plans, financing, and other supportive partnerships now in place, says the organization's CEO Andrew Hill.

The project involves the creation of a new campus for Excelsior Wellness in northwest Spokane that provides integrated housing alongside Excelsior's support services for people over 55 years old, workforce residents, and young adults aged 18 to 24 who have been impacted by foster care, as a way to address youth homelessness in the community.

The idea is to create a community environment that works similarly to an extended foster care program that gives young adults an opportunity to live independently while receiving mentorship support and workforce training.

"We've got a focused group of people working together to bring it forward," says Hill.

Spokane-based Inland Construction & Development Co., which does business as Inland Group, has been selected as the contractor for preconstruction activities for the housing development.

"It's been really important to have them in the partnership because they've helped us see multiple opportunities to enhance the design," says Hill.

The project also has received support from other Spokane-based companies, including Washington Trust Bank, Courage Housing, and Intellitect, he says.

Bernardo Wills, of Spokane, is designing the project, as previously reported in the Journal.

"They're either offering expertise in their particular area, or offering financial support, or donating their time," says Hill. "It's definitely a mission-driven team."

Plans for the integrated campus have been updated to 40 residential units in a mix of studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. Excelsior also is prioritizing accessibility at the site with 10 accessible units planned on the ground floor of the multifamily building. Rooftop access has been eliminated in the design due to limitations in available funding for the project, he adds.

The projected cost of construction has increased to between $7 million and $8 million, up from an earlier estimated value of $6.8 million.

"Ideally, we're able to open summer 2025," says Hill.

Since September, Excelsior's workforce development center, Gildred's Garage, has opened at the campus and started providing mentorship and vocational training to young adults who are being introduced to skilled trades to start them on a path to a stable and meaningful career, says Hill.

Excelsior Wellness is seeking additional support from employers and other entities interested in partnering for workforce development and mentorship opportunities. 

"It's really evident that if we just hang on a little longer and make sure that (youth) are given what they need through this transition period ... we see dramatic differences in the trajectory of their lives," says Hill.