SEATTLE—August 8, 2007—As the Harry Thomas Community Center at Lee House in the NewHolly neighborhood nears completion, plans are underway for a community open house from 5 - 7 pm on Wednesday, Sept. 5.
The old house, which was present on the property before it became Holly Park in the late 1930s, was home to Seattle police officer Charles Lee and his family. Once the land to build Holly Park was acquired and the family moved out, the house was used for offices and community space into the 1990s.
Because the house is an important part of the neighborhood’s history, SHA was reluctant to tear it down. Instead, donations have been sought and volunteer help has been donated to return the old house to its original beauty and usefulness.
Polygon Northwest and Bennett-Sherman, two of the builders of for-sale homes in the neighborhood, have made substantial contributions. Polygon applied the new siding, which was donated, and Bennett contributed the wood and labor to restore the elegant old woodwork and provide new wood floors.
Seattle-based architectural firm DKA donated design services to make sure the interior looked appropriate to the period when the house was built. Volunteer carpentry apprentices applied new insulation and sheetrock. Many other people volunteered contributions to demolition, landscaping and finish work. SHA’s Impact Property Services provided needed labor to fill in the gaps.
The four offices on the upper floor of the old house will be occupied by Neighborhood House. The lower floor, which has two large rooms and a kitchenette, will be rented out for community meetings, parties and other events.
The open house on September 5 will provide an opportunity to tour the house and say hello to Harry Thomas. Seattle Housing named the renewed building to honor Thomas' contributions to SHA over the 13 years he served as SHA's executive director. Stop by between 5 and 7 p.m. Brief ceremonies will be held at 6 p.m.