This is what’s happening at the Old Town Lighthouse Mission building
Bellingham’s Lighthouse Mission Ministries began the major demolition of its Holly Street building this week, in preparation for its new facility that will be built on the same lot.
Ram Construction led the demolition. The crew used excavators to tear down the building, focusing on the northeast side of the building on Tuesday, March 14.
Lighthouse Mission used the building in the Old Town area as a homeless services center for about 50 years.
But as the need for shelter and resources have skyrocketed over the last several years, the non-profit designed a new facility that will double the non-profit’s capacity to house and serve unhoused people.
The new, five-story facility will be able to shelter up to 400 people — 300 daily with 100 overflow spaces available during severe weather events.
The building is expected to include separated micro shelters on the top floor. They’ll be designed to serve specific sub-populations such as seniors, medically fragile people or those dealing with mental health issues, President and CEO of Lighthouse Mission Ministries Hans Erchinger-Davis told The Bellingham Herald in a previous interview.
The $23 million project is expected to be completed in 2024.
Lighthouse Mission will continue to operate limited shelter services out of its Base Camp operation at 1520 Cornwall Ave. under an emergency permit issued during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This story was originally published March 16, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
