M’s hopes for the future, C1
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06.30.2019
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Everett, Wash.
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New use for the old YMCA
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‘People with the lived experience are often left out of the conversation.’ — Mindy Woods, Edmonds
The nearly century-old building would stay, according to a proposal filed with city planners. By Stephanie Davey Herald Writer
EVERETT — Jack O’Donnell remembers the strong smell of chlorine wafting off the pool in the old YMCA building. He started to take swimming lessons there when he was 9. “Any kid my age, and I’m 74, probably learned to swim there if you grew up in Everett,” he said. The nearly century-old brick building may have a new purpose, but an add-on will be demolished. Developers last week submitted preapplications for construction at the site. The plan is to knock down the big, nearly windowless maroon building that towers over Rockefeller Avenue. Apartments would go in its place and across the street in what’s now a parking lot. The 1920 building would stay, and also be converted into living spaces. In all, there would be 274 units, city records show. O’Donnell is involved with the Historic Everett preservation group, and wrote a column in The Daily Herald for almost 25 years called “Seems Like Yesterday.” He’s lived in the city most of his life. Once swimming lessons were finished, he continued to visit the YMCA through high school. Teen dances were held there every Friday night. He and neighborhood friends would ride bikes there from his home on Colby Avenue. O’Donnell is happy the draft incorporates the old structure. “It really is a building that touched my life, and I think it touched a lot of other kids’ lives in the same way,” he said. “There was just a little something all the way through that kept you going there.” The Everett YMCA was first opened in 1901 on the corner of Rockefeller Avenue and California Street. See YMCA, Page A8
PHOTOS BY LIZZ GIORDANO / THE HERALD
Mindy Woods has lost track of the times she’s trekked down to Olympia advocating for eviction reform and an increase in funding for affordable housing.
Her story of homelessness is reforming state policy By Lizz Giordano Herald Writer
Mindy Woods first told her story about her two periods of homelessness to members of her church. She has since recounted her experience at the state Capitol to push for changes to housing laws and increase funding for affordable housing.
OLYMPIA — Mindy Woods has told her story countless times, but each retelling still brings tears to her eyes. Her voice catches just a little as she recalls the two times she was homeless. The first time, the Edmonds resident was too embarrassed to even tell her closest friends that she and her 13-year-old son no longer had a home. Things shifted early one morning several years ago. She was living in a hotel the YWCA was renting for her until shelter space became available. As she was leaving to take her son to school, she bumped into her
son’s best friend and his father in the exact same situation. “That was the day that opened my eyes that I needed to let go of my pride,” Woods said. “I needed to get over my shame, my embarrassment. I just felt change wasn’t going to happen unless people knew.” After that, she opened up to her church congregation about her struggles to find housing. “The world kept spinning,” she said. “Horrible things didn’t happen.” She continued to share her story, from small community groups all the way to the state capital. This legislative session she See ADVOCATE, Page A8
LOVE FOR LITTLE MOUNTAIN
AT 100, SHE STILL MAKES SPLASH
When these pilots need an excuse to fly, they go do lunch. The Good Life, D1
One of the state’s most accessible trail networks gets an upgrade Venture, E1
Teresa Schmierer celebrates her big birthday in the pool. Muhlstein, B1
Classified. . . . . .E3 Crossword. . . . D5
Carolyn Hax . . D5 Entertainment . D4
Lottery. . . . . . . A2 Movies . . . . . . D6
Obituaries . . . . B3 Success . . . . . A10
Venture . . . . . . .E1 Viewpoints . . . B6
Perfect 73/55, C6
VOL. 119, NO. 125 ©2019 THE DAILY HERALD CO.
SUNDAY
THE $100 HAMBURGER
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