Community Celebrates Nichols Court Grand Opening!

Clifford and Melinda Nichols

On September 24th, friends, family, and colleagues of Melinda and Clifford Nichols, along with affordable housing supporters, gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Nichols Court, a new six-story building with 148 units of affordable housing located in Seattle's Othello neighborhood. The property stands on the former site of Othello Tiny House Village, which served homeless people for eight years.

The celebration began with a performance by one of Melinda's favorite musicians, Laura Love (left), who was accompanied by Janet Jacobson. Melinda (foreground) could be seen happily singing along on such standards as "Shady Grove" and "Keep your Eyes on the Prize."

The blessing was given by Rev. Lawrence Willis, a longtime friend and colleague of Melinda's who has built many tiny houses for LIHI. Rev. Willis said, "Melinda and I have been in each other's lives for 30 years. She was in the building trades always encouraging women and people of color because it wasn't easy out there. She recruited me to the LIHI board and helped me understand the importance of the work LIHI does in the community for people coming off the streets and collaborated with me in fostering apprenticeships for underserved populations."

LIHI Executive Director Sharon Lee receiving a box carved by artist Clifford Nichols, who has donated many items to LIHI fundraisers.

Sharon spoke about the many contributions of Melinda and Clifford to LIHI's work.

"When we were planning Othello Village, which stood right where Nichols Court stands today, Melinda rallied building apprenticeship students, including tribes, and churches and businesses like our partners on this project, Walsh Construction, to build the tiny houses for the village.

"Melinda has been my ace in the hole for so many subjects for LIHI for over 25 years. I could not have had a better board president. One days she'll be testifying at City Council on the need for tiny houses and more affordable housing, and then the next day she and Clifford will be building one themselves. When I was starting out, if I had a question about HR I'd ask Melinda. Why? Because she headed HR for City Light. If I had a facilities question, I'd ask Melinda? Why? Because she worked for years as facilities director at the Seattle Parks and Rec department. And then she headed up the state's apprenticeship training program. And if I had questions about weatherization, well, Clifford headed up the weatherization program for the city. What a team!

"And what giving spirits. Melinda has donated over 900 blankets for people living in tiny houses and people coming off the streets into affordable housing. Clifford has donated many boxes and other carved artwork to our auctions. And Melinda is always showing up at our offices and worksites with cookies for the staff!

"You are always so humble, but it is we who are honored to honor you."

Melinda introduced her family and thanked everyone for coming on this "wonderful wonderful day." She said, "I'm grateful to so many of you here who have volunteered for LIHI. When Sharon and the board approached me, I said 'why me? Why not name the building after someone who gives you a lot of money?' But the board said: 'Shut up, you worked for 25 years."

"The reason I've stayed at LIHI is Sharon Lee. She's been steady, committed, intelligent, passionate, and she's my favorite person. Clifford and I are so grateful to be a part of LIHI and to be here today. Thank you so much."

ReWA Director of Education Susan Lee and Executive Director Kathleen Cloutier in the early learning center on the ground floor of Nichols Court, which has six classrooms and will serve over a hundred children.

Refugee Women's Alliance (ReWA) Director of Education Susan Lee thanked Sharon and LIHI for this second partnership of housing with an early learning center (the first was the Tony Lee Apartments). "We are partnered together because we have similar visions, and our missions are deeply aligned: creating opportunities for families, honoring our cultures, our languages, and building stronger communities. The early learning center here will be multilingual and multicultural, will serve freshy cooked meals, and will teach children critical skills so they will be well positioned when they transition into kindergarten and beyond. This building is more than just a building. It's hope. It's a promise to our families and children that they belong, that their future matters."

Seattle Office of Housing Director Maiko Winkler-Chin said, "Nichols Court is more than just housing. It's a place where families can feel supported, connected, and rooted. The ReWA early learning center will be a game changer for parents and kids alike. We'll have a safe, affordable, welcoming place to learn, and families will have access to programs and build community and belonging. This really reflects the heart and the spirit of Rainier Valley and how we all take care of each other.

"Melinda and Clifford, your work in affordable housing and the arts has touched many and this building is a beautiful tribute to all you've done.

"We're working to bring more projects like this to life across the city because every family deserves a stable, affordable place to call home. Today is a celebration of what we can accomplish."

LIHI Housing Developer Johnny Wheeler with LIHI Boardmember Cathy Danigelis and  KeyBank's Caleb Stephens

Caleb Stephens of KeyBank Community Development Lending thanked LIHI staff, NEF, and the City for working so hard to pull all the elements together to close on and complete the project.