A vibrant, post-card-like mural with a palm tree, flowers and even a flamingo now adorns the former Olympia Inn on Capitol Way. The mural spells out the building’s new identity: Sandy’s Flats, a new permanent supportive housing project run by Interfaith Works.
The local non-profit named the building in honor of Sandy Betz, an on-and-off shelter guest who left an impression on her hosts. Meg Martin, director of integrated services for Interfaith Works, called Betz a “fabulous woman” who lived with chronic mental health challenges.
“Despite all of those challenges, she would have a full face of makeup,” Martin said. “She never let her grays show. She would always be dyeing her hair this, like, signature Auburn color that would get all over the sinks at the shelter. Sometimes we would have to talk about it, but then we’d also be helping her do it.”…