Tacoma Community Celebrates Patsy Surh Place Grand Opening

On May 21st, the Tacoma Lincoln District community, the Asia and Pacific Islander community, local and state legislators, APCC and LIHI staff, the design and build teams, and affordable housing supporters, all came together to celebrate the grand opening of Patsy Surh Place, an affordable housing community dedicated to seniors ages 55 and over. Located at 3740 South G Street in Tacoma’s Lincoln District, the six-story building offers a culturally inclusive environment for Asian Pacific Islander elders and other low-income seniors.

Named in honor of Patsy Surh O’Connell, a distinguished community leader and a founder of APCC, this development reflects her lifelong commitment to promoting Asian and Pacific Islander heritage, culture, and arts throughout the region. Born in Shanghai to Korean parents, Mrs. O’Connell immigrated to the United States in the 1960s and helped establish APCC in 1996 to create a central gathering place for people to connect through Asian Pacific art and culture.

Faaluaina Pritchard (L), Executive Director of Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC), and Sharon Lee (R), Executive Director of Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI), present gifts of appreciation to Patsy Surh O'Connell.

Patsy Surh: "All of you are here to celebrate low-income housing, not me. It just has my name on it. It is indeed an immense honor to have my name associated with such a beautiful community housing project. I would like to express my gratitude to Sharon and LIHI: their relentless effort to serve seniors, homeless, and veterans. Our APCC executive director Lua has shown remarkable dedication and energy in being a partner in this project. I cannot stress enough how grateful I am for her unwavering commitment. I am confident that this much needed housing inititative will provide countless opportunities for those who are in desperate need of a safe, comfortable, and secure place to call home. Each resident will have the chance to engage in activities and build meaningful connections for their overall well-being. Watching the Lincoln District come to life has been an incredible experience as it enriches the community and encourages neighborly support.

"I know many immigrants would like to have their names left in this land. Therefore, it is with profound gratitude and humility that I find my name etched in annal of my adopted homeland. May this great nation continue to flourish and thrive in endless prosperity for generations to come."

Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck: "Can any of you say that you've ever been around Patsy and didn't immediately feel better? Patsy is the classiest person I know.

"Thank you Senator Yasmin Trudeau, Senator Steve Conway, and Representative Steve Tharinger for their historic appropriation that increased the Housing Trust Fund and helped make this project possible. Washington has the worst housing shortage in the country. If somebody doesn't have a pillow to lay their head on, a blanket to keep them warm and a roof over their head to keep them dry, then any other issue in their life is going to be more difficult. So on behalf of the eight million Washingtonians I represent I want to express gratitude to everyone involved in this beautiful project."

Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards: "I was sitting next to Patsy and told her how proud I was that she helped make this happen. In true Patsy fashion, as she's crying, she says, 'No, all of you did this, not me.' And I said to her, 'You may not have realized you were leading, but we couldn't have gotten here without you.' This project represents a beacon of hope. 77 units of deeply affordable housing for low-income seniors who deserve to live and sge with stability and dignity in a place that is as beautiful as the life they have lived and contributed to the community they love."

Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello: "We're here not only to celebrate the opening of another beautiful, safe, welcoming place for folks to lay their head in a affordable way, but to honor the life and legacy of Patsy Surh O'Connell. When I think of Patsy I think of the words quiet and gracious, which she certainly is. Those of you who know her as I do, know she is also tenacious. She is a visionary leader and a gifted artist. That tenacity along with a commitment to excellence led her to help found our Asia Pacific Cultural Center that supports and celebrates 47 beautiful, diverse cultures in our community."

Washington State Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins: "Today's event and this project bring together these two organizations, APCC and LIHI, that have proven on their own that these is nothing they cannot do. And it's gotten together these three women, Lua, Sharon, and Patsy who have also proven there is nothing they cannot do. Be afraid. Be very afraid everyone! Sharon talked about the next project here on this lot. It will absolutely happen! I've learned so much from Patsy about persistence, about presence, about beauty. I have never been so close to such a quiet person who roars like a lion. I know that those who live here are going to be lifted up every day in this building that bears your name."

Washington State Representative Steve Tharinger: "We need to clone Lua and Sharon to help other multicultural communities grow stronger."

Washington State Senator Steve Conway: "We need affordable housing that meets the standard of thirty percent of income in an age when income disparity is only increasing. I am so appreciative of the organizations that take on this work."

Debbie Burkhart, National Equity Fund

Dustin Koons, Banner Bank

Lua Pritchard and the APCC Board

Lua Pritchard: "APCC being the primary owner of this project means that the tenants will never be bored. The tenants will never be hungry. The tenants will always be happy. Because it is our culture to take care of our elders. The majority of them are Asia Pacific people, but we have many other nationalities as well who live in this building, and they are going to learn who we are and we will learn who they are. Also, with this project we're going to use our youth program to learn from elder stories and have intergenerational activities. You can mark my word, it will be a model for senior housing and affordable housing."

Patsy Surh Place is a new six-story building that features 47 studio apartments and 30 one-bedroom units, all designated for seniors earning up to 30% and 50% of the Area Median Income. Amenities include a community lounge, multipurpose room, gallery space, outdoor courtyard, and on-site laundry facilities. Additionally, one unit is reserved for a live-in manager. The building includes commercial space for small businesses along S. 38th.

Funders: 

Financing for Patsy Surh Place includes Pierce County, City of Tacoma, State Housing Trust Fund, Banner Bank, National Equity Fund, WSHFC, Tacoma Housing Authority, and Pierce County Housing Authority.

The architect is Weber Thompson Architects. The contractor is Walsh Construction Co.

The Grand Opening was sponsored by BECU, Walsh Construction Co. and National Equity Fund.