Reminder: Ballard Urban Rest Stop open house Oct. 1

Tomorrow night (Oct. 1) is the open house for the Ballard Urban Rest Stop (BURS), soon to open at Cheryl Chow Court, 2014 NW 57th St. This is the Low Income Housing Institute’s (LIHI) third hygiene facility for homeless individuals, and it will include restrooms, showers, washers, dryers, laundry folding area and a healthcare exam room. The open house, from 4 to 6 p.m., will celebrate the completion of the rest stop and provide the public a chance to meet staff and volunteers and learn how it will serve individuals in our community. There will be a brief program at 4:30 p.m.

“This attractive, newly constructed, energy efficient facility will provide hygiene services to homeless people, including men, women, children, seniors, veterans, and the many car campers who live in the Ballard area,” according to a statement from LIHI.

On Monday, Oct. 12 BURS will open to patrons at no cost. The hours will be Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. There are five private shower/bathrooms, separate bathrooms for men and women, five double stacked washer/dryer sets, and two additional dryer sets. Sharon Lee, Executive Director of LIHI, says they anticipate helping 75 individuals with showers each day, and expect to be able to run 40 loads of laundry each day. “If you are out and about near the Ballard Commons Park or the Ballard Library, please come and visit,” Lee says.