September 24, 2019

Port of Seattle Commissioners
Pier 63                                                                                             MAGNOLIA
United Church ofChrist
2711 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98121

Dear Port of Seattle Commissioners Bowman, Felleman, Steinbrueck, Calkins and Gregoire;

As the governing body of Magnolia United Church of Christ, we urge you to extend the lease to the City of Seattle for the
land on which Interbay Village sits. Extending the lease for two years is the best option. With a lease extension in place,
Interbay Village can continue to be an entry point to a better life for its residents. It can continue as a successful model
of transitional, temporary shelter. It can continue as an asset to the Magnolia, Interbay and Queen Anne neighborhoods.
Please vote "YES" to extend the lease to Interbay Village for two years.

Throughout MUCC's four-year history with the residents there has always been a strong sense of community. They are
our neighbors and they are good neighbors. We actively participate in the Magnolia Ecumenical Group, a coalition of
Magnolia churches, which came together to support the homeless camp; we knew together we could do more than each
church could do by itself.

Many of us in the MIJCC congregation have gotten to know individual residents; cheering with them when they received
permanent housing, and then helping with the actual move. We cook regular hot meals, bring sleeping bags and a
multitude of other essentials as well as advocate for the health and safety of the residents. Our congregation hosted a
party celebrating the encampment's first anniversary. We initiated a Day of Service at the current site, helping remove
invasive plants. We participated in work parties during the expansion: shoveling soil, building ramps, painting.
Collectively we breathed a prayer of thanks upon the completion of water hook-up for showers, toilets and laundry.
Thank you, Port Commissioners, for making Port land available to the City in November 2017 as a site for what was then
called Tent City 5. Your compassionate decision then acknowledged the homelessness crisis in Seattle and your
willingness to do something significant to help. This well- situated location has allowed Tent City 5 to develop into
Interbay Village, a safe home for 50 individuals who, with secure shelter and services, can proceed with the hard work of
getting their lives back on track. Making the property available was truly the crux of the successful future for the
Interbay Village community. Thank you so much.

Please make another compassionate decision now: Please vote "YES" ta extend the lease.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Pb
Melissa Ranken, Moderator                    AND                 Rev. Marci Scott-Weis, Senior Pastor
Representing Magnolia United Church of Christ's Coordinating Council, 2019-2020 (a nine-member board)

Magnolia United Church of Christ  |  3555 West McGraw Street  |  Seattle, WA 98199  |  www.magnoliaucc.org