Gatheringplace Celebrates Major Milestone as Construction Begins on Permanent Home

PORT TOWNSEND, WA — After a five-year journey marked by pandemic closures, grant setbacks and persistent advocacy, Gatheringplace has poured the foundation for its permanent home—a milestone the organization celebrated last Friday with the legislators who helped secure critical state funding.

The foundation slab at 710 Aurora Loop in the Port Townsend Business Park was completed by Van Ness Construction, with contractor Neil Nelson overseeing the project and architect Jim Rozanski designing the sustainable, energy-efficient 3,800-square-foot facility.

On June 26, Representative Steve Tharinger and Senator Mike Chapman from the 24th District toured the site, meeting participants and staff at the location just past Goodwill and east of the duck pond. The crowd was in high spirits, with participants singing Margaritaville as they celebrated the long-awaited progress.

Representative Steve Tharinger, Senator Mike Chapman, Executive Director Linda Ferris and Steve Kemper, author of the direct appropriate application for the funds. Photo submitted by Linda Ferris

The event marked the culmination of a legislative push that began when a direct appropriation application, authored by board member Steve Kemper resulted in a $475,000 award in March, funding roughly half the construction costs.

A 32-year journey

Gatheringplace has served adults with developmental and other disabilities in Port Townsend since July 11, 1994. They have operated from several locations over the years, including the Jefferson County Rec Center, Point Hudson Duplex, the Fairgrounds Art Building and the Fred Lewis Scout Cabin.

The organization was founded by Linda and Bob Ferris in memory of their daughter Megan, whose life with disabilities inspired a vision for a place where adults could learn, create and belong. What began as a small gathering of friends has grown into a beloved community cornerstone offering weekly programs in art, culinary skills, music and movement, and the popular "Yummy" Dog Biscuit Bakery job training program. The new building will also serve as a lasting memorial to Megan.

Setbacks and perseverance

The need for a permanent space became apparent more than five years ago, as the organization outgrew its temporary quarters. In 2021, Gatheringplace applied for a grant from the Dan Thompson Memorial Developmental Disabilities Community Service Account, named for a Microsoft employee with Down Syndrome.

After searching for a permanent location for nearly three years, the organization finally completed the extensive paperwork in May 2025; just before the Dan Thompson grant expired in June. The Department of Social and Health Services terminated the grant, believing Gatheringplace could not meet the completion timeline. Pushing forward, Kemper authored the direct appropriation request, a provision that allows specific non-profits to apply directly to state representatives, that ultimately succeeded.

A dream coming true

Through an earlier Community Capital Campaign, which had already raised $175,000, there were enough funds to begin construction in May 2026. The organization is currently waiting for the state appropriation to become available.

Participants are especially excited about the expanded area for new activities, a dedicated art space, a great new layout for making dog biscuits and the return of organic gardens.

During Friday's visit, Linda Ferris presented the legislators with "Magic Garden Fairy Wands," crafted by participants, which cast rainbows when sunlight shines through them—a sparkling reminder of all the happy faces and joyful days ahead when the building is finished.

"It's a dream coming true," Ferris said.

Structural insulated panels, walls used to build the structure, are scheduled to arrive July 2.

Help complete the dream

Gatheringplace still needs $350,000 to complete the building. The organization is grateful for any support from the community for its adult friends with developmental disabilities.

For more information or to donate, visit GPPT.org.