Building Update: The Vision Is Taking Shape
Contributed by MY House
We’re excited to share that construction on the new MY House Carson Cottle Center is moving steadily forward, and the vision is truly becoming real. Each week brings visible progress as the structure rises and the building takes its form, even in the face of challenging winter weather. This is one of the largest federal Health and Social Services funded appropriations in Alaska’s history, led by Michelle Overstreet, founder and CEO at MY House, with Rachael Rucker and R Squared Project Management guiding the building process.
Thanks to the dedication and professionalism of the Watterson Construction team and partners, work continued safely and consistently through wind, snow, and cold. From steel framing and decking to interior structural elements, the building is coming together beautifully and with great care. A MY House youth-led design echoes the shape of local mountains and welcomes the community with a familiar A-frame entry. The design, by Colony graduate Wil Carson and his company 64 North Architects, is unique, bold, and beautiful.
This project represents far more than a building. It is an investment in our community and in the young people we serve, creating a welcoming space that will provide support, opportunity, job training, housing, and hope. When complete, it will generate new local jobs and serve as a place the entire community can be proud of.
With a 200-seat theater built with acoustics for music and managed by Make A Scene Media, home of this newspaper, The People’s Paper, and 95.5 KNLT-FM Hatcher Pass Radio, there are endless opportunities for entertainment. Scaled smaller than the Glenn Massay Theater but larger than a local pub, it complements rather than competes with existing local spaces. The Wild Iris Kitchen is being designed by Josh Broda of The Chop House and Henry Fagnani from Farina’s and will offer great food to pair with the music venue, while training youth for catering and supporting the 64 beds for homeless youth upstairs. A salon hosted by Ema Rose will round out the training and community opportunities on the first floor.
We are deeply grateful for the many hands and hearts contributing to this effort, and for the encouragement we continue to receive along the way. Momentum is strong, spirits are high, and we can’t wait to share more milestones as this important work continues.