Nisqually tribe submits plans for healing center on Pacific Avenue in Olympia

Six months after exploring plans for a drug treatment center on Pacific Avenue, the Nisqually tribe has made it official by submitting a land-use application for the project, the city of Olympia announced Friday.

The tribe intends to build the Nisqually Healing Center at 3663 Pacific Ave. SE, which used to be occupied by Frankie’s Bar & Grill. The tribe has acquired the property and demolished the former bar.

According to an informational flier previously shared with The Olympian, the center will serve up to 500 people per day, both tribal members and non-tribal members.

“The clinic will provide substance use disorder assessments, individual and group counseling, medication including Methadone, Suboxone, Subutex and Vivitrol, mental health counseling, primary medical care, dental services, transportation, child watch, case management, psychiatric medication management, recovery support and related services,” the flier reads.

The tribe wants to provide all those services under one roof because those in drug treatment “falter when required to manage referrals themselves,” the flier reads.

About 50 people are expected to work in the 21,750-square-foot building, according to city information.

Some key dates for the proposal:

▪ A project information meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. June 13.

▪ The comment period ends at 5 p.m. June 22. Send comments to lead planner Lydia Moorehead at lmoorehe@ci.olympia.wa.us.

▪ A design review board meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. June 22.

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