Progress continues with Carson-Cottle Center

Even as Alaskan winter temperatures dipped below zero, the work to provide a safe haven for local youth never stopped.

"I don’t think there’s going to be any place like this," says MY House Founder Michelle Overstreet of the new Carson-Cottle Center under construction, which will feature treatment, vocational training, and housing to help youth heal. Over the past year, the dream has taken solid form with the foundation poured and three floors of concrete pads completed. David Palmer, President of MY House, praised the construction crews for doing an "amazing job" pushing through the coldest months to ensure steel work and structural framing was finalized, keeping the project on track to bridge the gap between homelessness and stability.

On April 3, members of the MY House Executive Board were given a tour of the Carson-Cottle Center. This 45,000 square-foot, 3-story mixed-use campus is thoughtfully designed to provide comprehensive housing and support services for youth experiencing homelessness. Featuring 64 beds, the facility will offer specialized trauma recovery, substance abuse treatment, and permanent supportive housing, alongside a recovery high school and under-18 services. Beyond residential spaces, the campus features a community café, auditorium, retail job training opportunities, and office space for community partners. Exterior areas are designed for activation, including space for farmers’ markets, outdoor concerts, and community events.

Isaac Smoldon, MY House Communications Director, says the original renderings had different geometric shapes and individual spires because the Youth Advisory Board from MY House wanted it to have a village-fell and be about community. The challenge then came-how to marry those into a cohesive design. “Community is such an important part of our philosophy.”

To combat the "sterile" feel of a large building, project manager Rachael Rucker of R Squared Contracting says the new center uses unique "A-frame" shapes to simulate smaller, community-focused homes. Although refined from the initial designs, the final project maintains its original vision of a homey, welcoming atmosphere.

“It’s really coming to life. We’ve spent so much time behind the scenes with the architecture, engineering, budgeting and it’s nice to get to show the community this project and see it come to life,” says Rucker.

Smoldon said that R Squared, general contractor Watterson Construction, and the many sub-contractors--including Independent Steel, Big Dipper Construction, Slayden Plumbing and Heating, Premier Electric, and Rain Proof Roofing--have been incredible as they navigate the challenges that come with working on this unique project. “They have just done an incredible job of doing some unique building techniques with the slanted walls and other design elements,” he said. “The finished product is going to be incredible.”

Smoldon emphasizes that the Youth Advisory Board has been essential to the project, providing direct input from the population they serve. Every step of the way—from design and engineering needs to selecting paint colors—the youth board has played a key role in the design and utility of the space.

“This is what’s going to get people to come here, get that welcoming atmosphere and receive services in a place they feel is theirs,” said Smoldon. “I think the team’s just done a fantastic job of executing on all of that.”

Walking through the space, Balmer remarked that even in its unfinished state, the space is breathtaking, designed specifically to make kids feel valued the moment they walk in. "When the kids walk in, we want them to feel valued. Kids that are being ignored, we want them to know that you’re important enough for this building to exist,” he emphasized. Describing the facility as an open, welcoming hub for the community, Balmer outlined a bold vision for the future—featuring a potential house band, cooking classes, and theater events—while reassuring everyone that the drop-in center is a permanent fixture. “

“We aren’t hiding the kids away. The whole purpose of the café and the theater is we’re incorporating the kids. We want the community to come in, watch shows, watch our kids, see how people behave and be a part of this,” said Balmer.

Balmer also highlighted a unique feature of the exterior panels: their ability to chameleon-like, reflect the surrounding environment. They will mirror the lush greens in summer, the vibrant oranges of a sunset, and the deep blue of a clear sky.

Construction will run through the fall, with a ribbon-cutting slated for December. For Overstreet, this marks the culmination of the ongoing mission at MY House.

“It’s a really, really important thing that keeps us from having long-term homeless kids. They’re not out there bouncing from bed to bed or practicing in addiction. They’re healing, and they’re healing together.”