White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Story by Tracy Record
Photos by Torin Record-Sand
For White Center Now and West Seattle Blog

Of all the joyful smiles that abounded at today’s dedication of the White Center HUB and Canopy Apartments, the biggest had to be the one you can see above in our photo of Sili Savusa.

She was executive director of the White Center Community Development Association when it began the long road that led to today’s celebration of what was built on the 8th SW/SW 108th site where two small county-owned buildings used to offer services including food, health care, and shelter. (Here’s the backstory from five years ago.) The main event hall inside the HUB now carries her name; she said honors like that are usually posthumous, and she’s thrilled to still be around to see it.

Today’s big party came weeks after the buildings opened, and 20 months after the groundbreaking celebration. But the party spirit was strong. First came a series of ribboncuttings – each organization housed in the HUB and/or partnering in the project had its own section of ribbon:

Indigenous dancers and drummers immersed the crowd in sights and sounds of their cultures:

The ceremony was followed by an extensive lineup of speakers inside the HUB’s Savusa Hall. Here’s our video of all of them:

The prevailing sentiment was joy, but mixed with resolve and defiance, especially in light of another killing by federal agents in Minneapolis hours earlier, with countless speakers promising the HUB would be a place of safety.

U.S. House Rep. Pramila Jayapal said that providing a safe, beautiful, uplifting space was in its own way an act of resistance to what the Trump Administration is doing.

Newly elected King County Executive Girmay Zahilay brought his toddler daughter Jazzy to the stage, noting that the HUB is about the future. He also said he appreciates White Center because his new job is in essence “the mayor of the unincorporated areas” and he knows what that’s like firsthand because he grew up in Skyway.

34th District State House Rep. Brianna Thomas was the first to allude to what had happened this morning in Minnesota, decrying how the president and his administration are “dehumanizing” so many people, but promising, “We’re not going to let fear win.” She also urged those present to remember, “We are our ancestors’ wildest dreams!”

34th District State Sen. Emily Alvarado said, “Safety matters … we will keep our community safe from federal outreach.” As for the HUB itself, and its accompanying apartments, she noted, “We need to do bold, big things … this is bold, this is big.”

“Housing is dignity and housing is justice,” said Colleen Echohawk, new CEO of Community Roots Housing, the affordable-housing developer that oversaw the Canopy Apartments part of the project.

Another shining newly constructed jewel in White Center, the rebuilt Evergreen High School, was mentioned by Highline Public Schools superintendent Ivan Duran, whose two young sons joined him onstage. He too remarked on the ICE situation, saying that in 30 years as an educator, “I never thought I would have to (show) my staff how to deal with federal (agents).” He said immigrants are here because “this country was built on dreams” and that it must continue to be that kind of promising place.

HealthPoint CEO Lisa Yohalem‘s organization has space in the HUB:

She talked about their work to keep community members healthy and expressed excitement at their expansion into this area.

Also with a home in the HUB, FEEST, whose executive director Jaimée Marsh talked about the organization’s work in food justice and mental health, and the need “to keep uplifting young people.”

Essence Russ, executive director of Southwest Youth and Family Services, declared this to be a “monumental moment” and listed three requirements for making dreams into reality, as was the case with the HUB – people, purpose, and patience. In the first category, she lauded SWYFS’s longtime ED Steve Daschle for long envisioning SWYFS expanding into WC. Daschle was part of today’s event, at right in our photo below:

WCCDA’s Garcia then took a turn on the stage, exuberantly asking people who’d worked on the project to raise their hands, and asked for acknowledgment from thoe “who love White Center!” He also declared that, “This is here because the community refused to disappear … It’s proof that community leadership is not a theory, it is a practice.” He also talked about the project growing from seeds sownlong ago … “They might try to erase us, divide us, but they didn’t count on … the seeds already planted. … This is not about me or our organization, this is about us.” He also noted proudly that the project was finished on time and on budget.

The theme of seeds and growth carried into project partner YES Foundation of White Center executive director Pat Thompson said, saying the HUB isn’t something being harvested, but rather it’s a seed, and “today we mark the time when we put it in the ground.”

After a few words from representatives of organizations that helped with financing for the project, former State Sen. Joe Nguyen – recently departed as state Commerce Director – said he’s proud to be a White Center native, and believes this project is something WC needed. And: “White Center deserves nice things too.”

The speaker lineup concluded with a video message from King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, who was at the HUB two weeks ago for her re-election campaign kickoff. Then the attendees moved on to refreshments and tours, as light poured in through its windows:

The Savusa Hall event space is available for rentals – all the info is at savusahall.org.

Metro is proposing changes affecting Route 60, which runs from Westwood Village to Capitol Hill via White Center, South Park, Georgetown, Beacon Hill, the International District, and First Hill. The changes could affect other transportation-corridor users, so you might be interested in offering feedback even if you’re not a bus rider. They’re asking for feedback via this survey, and detailing the proposals in four segments – here’s the summary of how the West Seattle (and vicinity) segment could change:

Segment 4: East Marginal Way & 16th Avenue South to Westwood Village (South Park, Westwood-Highland Park).

The East Marginal Way to Westwood Village segment includes portions of the South Park and Westwood-Highland Park neighborhoods. The route serves multiple community assets such as the Olson/Myers Park and Ride and Westwood Village.

Potential improvements to this segment may include:

-A new bus priority lane on Cloverdale Street approaching 14th Avenue South. This lane would help buses bypass long lines of traffic during morning and evening rush hours.

-Intersection improvements near the Olson Place and Myers Way Park and Ride to reduce travel time and improve bus reliability.

-Closure of the eastbound bus stop at Barton Place and 22nd Avenue Southwest. Removing this stop will help improve travel time and result in better stop spacing that aligns with Metro’s recommended guidelines.

All segments’ proposed changes are detailed here.

Metro is asking for responses to its Route 60 survey by February 20.

(WCN/WSB photo, earlier this month)

This Saturday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony officially celebrates the grand opening of the White Center Hub. But it’s already open, having served as the venue for events such as County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda‘s recent re-election campaign kickoff. And an announcement this morning notes strong demand for the apartments that are part of the project:

Community Roots Housing (Community Roots) with White Center Community Development Association (WCCDA) today announced the official opening of Canopy Apartments and the White Center HUB, a long-envisioned affordable housing and community services campus rooted in partnership with the local residents.

The development (located at 10821 8th Ave SW) delivers 76 new affordable homes, including 59 apartments with two to four bedrooms, serving households earning between 30% and 60% of area median income. Twenty-four of the homes are set aside for large families of four or more people. Canopy Apartments responds directly to the region’s shortage of deeply affordable, family-sized housing and reflects years of community-led planning and collaboration.

Adjacent to the housing, the two-story White Center HUB opens as a vibrant neighborhood anchor designed around “Hope, Unity, and Belonging.” Operated by the WCCDA, the HUB brings together trusted local organizations offering health, youth, food, and family services. The tenants include Southwest Youth and Family Services, HealthPoint, FEEST Seattle, and the YES! Foundation. The new space allows these organizations to expand their programming through an onsite medical and dental clinic, a coffee shop, recording studio, event hall, commercial kitchen, maker space, playground, and gathering areas designed to bring people together.

“Canopy White Center is an example of what the future of affordable housing can look like,” said Colleen Echohawk, CEO of Community Roots Housing. “When affordable housing is shaped by shared vision, we can truly meet the needs of the community. This project goes above and beyond an affordable place to call home; it’s a place where White Center families can put down roots and access the resources they need to thrive.”

“The White Center HUB and Canopy Apartments are the result of years of White Center community members organizing and forming partnerships. This project is built by and for the people who call White Center home,” said Aaron Garcia, Executive Director of the WCCDA. “We brought affordable housing together with childcare, small business space, and essential services so families can stay rooted, build stability, and help shape what comes next together.”

The project reflects White Center’s long-standing advocacy for development that meets local needs and protects the neighborhood’s cultural fabric amid rising housing costs. King County responded to this need and is a committed partner in bringing the White Center HUB to life, supporting the community’s vision from its earliest stages through long-term investment and coordination. The County provided early funding to help community leaders plan, organize, and build the foundation for this ambitious development, and later leveraged publicly owned land to make the project possible — transitioning the site from interim family shelter use to a food bank and public health clinic, and now affordable housing and community space.

“The White Center HUB is a celebration of community leadership and what’s possible when affordable housing is shaped by the people it’s built to serve,” said King County Executive Girmay Zahilay. “King County made early investments, stayed at the table, and brought together housing, climate, and equity resources to help turn a community vision into a permanent home for families and neighbors in White Center. This project shows how affordable housing, rooted in place and culture, strengthens communities and creates lasting stability.”

Community Roots Housing developed the project in close partnership with the White Center Community Development Association, residents, and community stakeholders, ensuring the campus reflects neighborhood priorities and strengths. Southwest Youth and Family Services also played an integral role in the HUB’s creation, helping guide what services it would provide based on community needs and input.

Leasing activity for the building has been exceptionally strong. Applications opened in October 2025 and as of January, 84% of the apartments are occupied with applications or leasing pending on 9 of the 12 remaining units.

On Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., the organizations will host an official ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring special guests Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, and Washington State Director of Commerce Joe Nguyen. A community breakfast will follow on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., welcoming residents, neighbors, and community members to celebrate together.

The official opening of Canopy Apartments follows a significant year for Community Roots, which delivered 311 new affordable apartments and broke ground on an additional 84 new units in 2025. The nonprofit also distributed more than $250,000 in rent relief to 150 Community Roots Housing households in the region.

In case you’d forgotten more work was ahead for 16th SW, here’s the alert sent Thursday by King County Road Services:

Occasional Lane Restrictions
16th Ave SW between SW 100th St and SW 107th St
Construction begins January 12, 2026

The final phase of the Pedestrian Safety Improvements and Traffic Calming Project on 16th Ave SW between SW 100th St and SW 107th St will begin on Monday, January 12, 2026 through May 29, 2026, from 7 am to 5 pm each day.

The final phase of this project includes:

-Adding a bike lane in each direction. Crews have already added a center turn lane and one traveling lane in each direction.
-Building curb extensions at SW 104th and SW 106th streets to make it safer for people to cross the road.
-Adding new signs and other safety features between SW 100th and SW 107th streets.
-Adding more parking spaces – the number of spots will go up from 43 to 46.  View the parking changes to see where parking will be.
-We expect work to begin on the west side of 16th Ave SW and SW 104th and SW 106th Streets. Traffic will be flagged around the work zone when necessary. Emergency vehicles will have access through the work zone.

For the most up-to-date information, please check MyCommute. Additional project information can be found on the project website.

Get a look inside the soft-opened White Center Hub during an event tonight – the campaign kickoff for King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda‘s quest for re-election. Her campaign says the event is open to the public and will include guest speakers:

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, WA-7
April Sims, President, WA State Labor Council AFL-CIO
Katie Garrow, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, MLK Labor
Aaron D. Garcia, Executive Director, White Center CDA
Aretha Basu, Political Director, Puget Sound Sage

Here’s the when and where:

5:30 – 7:00 PM
WHERE: White Center CDA HUB
10829 8th Ave SW

Mosqueda’s campaign website is at teamteresa.org. The White Center Hub is scheduled for a ribbon-cutting and grand opening later this month.

(WCN file photo, White Center Library)

The White Center, Greenbridge, and Boulevard Park branches of the King County Library System are participating in a campaign inviting you to write love letters to libraries;

A countywide community storytelling project is gathering handwritten reflections from residents across King County about the role libraries play in their lives.

Launched by the King County Library System Foundation, Love Letters to Libraries invites people of all ages to write and share personal messages celebrating their libraries. Letters are being collected throughout the Foundation’s service area at KCLS libraries, local elementary schools, community businesses, and KCLS Mobile Services stops.

The project will culminate in a large-scale public display at the Bellevue Library, with a grand unveiling planned for March 7 during the Foundation’s annual Literary Lions Gala.

Participation spans the full King County Library System service area. Elementary schools including Camelot Elementary in Auburn and Lake Forest Park Elementary are taking part, along with local businesses hosting Love Letter collection boxes, such as Panera Bread in Bellevue, STEAMboat Studio, and several Pagliacci’s Pizza locations across King County. The Library System’s Mobile Services division is also sharing the project during visits to senior centers and childcare sites, expanding access for community members who rely on mobile library services.

“Libraries are deeply personal spaces for so many people, and this campaign gives our community a simple, meaningful way to express that connection,” said Ryan Anderson, Strategic Communications Manager for the King County Library System Foundation.

The Love Letters campaign also draws attention to the King County Library System Foundation’s funding priorities, which focus on supporting early literacy, educational enrichment, accessibility and inclusion, and community-centered library services. Through philanthropic support, the Foundation helps fund programs that expand learning opportunities, strengthen access to resources, and ensure libraries remain welcoming and responsive spaces for people of all ages across King County.

The Love Letters campaign is closely tied to the Foundation’s upcoming Literary Lions Gala, which will feature 15 acclaimed authors recognized as the Foundation’s Literary Lions. This year’s honorees include Moira Macdonald, Jess Walter, Kevin O’Brien, and Sonora Jha.

Once collected, the Love Letters will be displayed together at the Bellevue Library, forming a visual and narrative portrait of how libraries support education, belonging, and lifelong learning throughout King County.

Public participation in the Love Letters campaign continues through January 16.

More information, including participating locations, is available at kclsfoundation.org/loveletters.