Wìli Department Moves Forward with Gentry Loop Construction

This article first appeared in the April 2022 newsletter. Click here to read our newsletter archives.

The Wìli Department is building 17 new houses on the Tribally-owned Gentry Loop in Myrtle Creek, Oregon. Construction crews are hard at work on the new Tribal rental housing.

“Two are in the beginning stages,” says Jennifer Bryant, Cow Creek Housing Director. “But we should have six of the seventeen done by the end of 2022.”

Heading up the project is the foreman, Garrett Slay, General Construction Laborer for Wìli Department. Under normal circumstances, he and his team can bring a project from foundation to completion in around four months, but the past few years have been anything but normal. Due to the pandemic, finding building materials and contractors has been difficult, sometimes adding two months to the estimated time on a project.

“Little things you don’t think would be an issue are hard to find,” says Slay. “HVAC and ducting, caulking and glue, and insulation are all struggles to find.”

Getting the needed supplies while keeping on schedule takes foresight and resourcefulness.

“I heard our painters have to stock up on paint way ahead of time, because there is a paint shortage,” he says. “Windows are bad too; you have to order them when you are putting down the foundation just to get them on time.”

Despite the difficulties, Slay and his team continue making progress to meet the Wìli goal of 17 new homes. Two-bedroom homes will be built, instead of the three- and four-bedrooms in previous housing projects. The smaller size was adopted to better fit the needs of those who usually apply for the rental homes, such as Tribal elders or young adults who live on their own, and don’t need a larger house, but can benefit from the larger yard space.

“My team takes pride in their work,” says Slay. “We work hard, take it seriously, and do our best. I want to give a shout-out to Brian Boswell and his UIUC team, too. When someone moves in, they can know that they are moving in to a quality home. The Tribe can be proud of the work we’re doing here.”

Foreman Garrett Slay, General Construction Laborer