Walla Walla University building to become new humanitarian engagement center
By Dan Thesman on Thursday, September 10th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
COLLEGE PLACE — Renovations are underway on a historic building at Walla Walla University to transform a long-standing property into the new home for the university’s Center for Humanitarian Engagement (CHE).
Located at the corner of College Avenue and Fourth Street, the structure has served multiple purposes throughout its history, operating as a garage and gas station, a Dodge-Plymouth dealership, part of the fire station with College Place City Hall, a warehouse for rental properties, and most recently as the campus facility services building.
Volunteers begin renovation effort
The renovation effort began in July with support from volunteers. Daily crews of 18 to 26 volunteers cleared old plumbing, electrical lines, interior walls, and maintenance materials while pressure-washing the exterior. The volunteers brought specialized skills ranging from electrical work to food service.
“We hope to finalize permits in the next couple of weeks, then start on the interior walls and electrical/plumbing,” CHE Executive Director David Lopez explained. “My hope is to build it as funds come in and after that, have it ready to move in the summer of 2027, at the latest.”
According to Walla Walla University, the CHE building renovation project is estimated at $1.2 million.
Once completed, the repurposed space will unite the university’s student-led service programs under one roof. The ground-floor plan features a multipurpose community auditorium, collaborative workshops, service program headquarters, a neighborhood warming kitchen, and ADA-compliant restrooms.
The project will also house a makerspace and expand capacity for the Walla Walla Tool Library, alongside initiatives such as the Blue Mountain Volunteer Corps; Hey Neighbor, Neighbor; and U-Crew, which is a student-led team who responds to residential tasks within the community. A future construction phase plans to develop an additional upstairs area accessible via an assembly space mezzanine.
“This building will transform how CHE connects with our community and how students discover purpose through service,” Lopez said.To learn more about CHE’s programs, visit:
https://www.wallawalla.edu/campus-life/center-for-humanitarian-engagement
Top: Future home to WWU’s Center for Humanitarian Engagement at College Avenue and Fourth Street. All Photos courtesy of Walla Walla Universit
