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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels (former Mayor)
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Mayor Announces Neighborhood Awards
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
7/17/2003 8:00:00 AM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alex Fryer (206) 233-9257
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Mayor Nickels Recommends More than $900,000 for Neighborhood Projects
Thirteen projects recommended for Neighborhood Matching Fund awards
SEATTLE - Standing in Southeast Seattle's Hitt's Hill Park, Mayor Greg Nickels today announced 13 projects he's recommending to receive Neighborhood Matching Fund Large Project awards.
"Hitt's Hill Park is a great example of citizens and the City working together to make their neighborhoods better," said Nickels. "Here, residents want to partner with the city to further transform this former industrial site into an urban forest and park -- with trails, native plantings and a vegetation management plan."
Nickels is recommending awards totaling $903,589 for 13 projects ranging from building sidewalks, to establishing a Latino neighborhood organization to regenerating sensitive shoreline (see complete list attached). The community is matching the awards with $1.4 million in volunteer labor, donated goods and services.
Six of the projects represent elements called for in Neighborhood Plans.
An 11 member volunteer Citizens Review Team evaluated award applications and recommended project awards to the Mayor. The Seattle City Council is expected to vote on the recommendations in September.
The Neighborhood Matching Fund allows neighborhood organizations to apply for cash from the City as an equal match to their contribution of cash, volunteer labor, or donated goods and services. More than 2,500 projects have been awarded during the program's 13-year history and Neighborhood Matching Fund investments during the life of the program total more than $23 million.
Large Project awards range from $15,000 to $100,000. Smaller and Simple awards are for projects up to $15,000.
July 2003 Recommended Projects
Hitt's Hill Urban Forest Reclamation - $50,000 (Neighborhood Plan-related project)
The project would further rehabilitate this former industrial site to create a healthy urban forest and community park in the Rainier Valley. Enhancements include trails, native plantings and a vegetation management plan. Friends of Hitt's Hill Park is involved in the project.
Benefit Park Improvement Project - $100,000
This project involves several construction projects to improve the safety, beauty, and usability of Benefit Park. The neighborhood organization is Friends of Benefit Park.
Meadowbrook Play Area Renovation - $86,000
The neighborhood organization "Friends of Annie's Playground" is working on this project. It's a renovation of the Meadowbrook Play Area to provide a new playground for children and residents.
Salmon Bay School Sports Field - $90,000
This project will convert an asphalt-covered school-yard into a mixed-use sports field. This is the result of a partnership between the Department of Neighborhoods, the Seattle School District and Seattle Parks and Recreation.
Cascade Eco-Renovation Project - $35,000 (Neighborhood Plan-related project)
This project will transform a 4,000 square foot community center in the heart of the Cascade neighborhood into a vibrant, environmentally-responsible, learning/gathering center. The Cascade Neighborhood Council is involved with this project.
Greenwood Sidewalks Project - $100,000 (Neighborhood Plan-related project)
This project will build sidewalks and "calm" traffic on streets connecting the new Greenwood Park with the neighborhood business district. Greenwood Community Council is the neighborhood organization involved.
Magnolia Gateway Implementation Project - $68,000
This project aims to create an inviting link between Magnolia's business center and the adjacent park. Local metal artists will create a gateway featuring blossoms of the neighborhood's identifying plants: magnolia and madrona. Magnolia Chamber of Commerce is assisting with this project.
Expansion and Beautification of Town Hall - $75,000 (Neighborhood Plan-related project)
This project will create a new performance and forum space at Town Hall, a community cultural center on First Hill, along with making upgrades to the building exterior. Town Hall Association is assisting with this project.
Whittier Pocket Park - $90,000
This project will build a multi-use neighborhood pocket park that includes natural play
elements, open lawn space, a walking path, and a raised community "stage" in the Whittier/Lower Phinney/Greenwood neighborhood. The 6th Avenue NW Pocket Park Association is involved in this project.
Sandel Park Activity and Safety - $100,000 (Neighborhood Plan-related project)
The neighborhood organization Friends and Neighbors of Sandel Park would like to begin construction of improvements that will help increase the safety and enjoyment of their neighborhood park. Improvements include reconfiguring and enlarging the current play area, improvements to the basketball court, and increasing visibility into the park.
CAY South Delridge Latino Organizing - $34,400
This project will create a Latino neighborhood club that will interview Spanish-speaking families about their perspectives on public safety and other related issues, and connect the Latino community to existing neighborhood organizations. Community Alliance for Youth is the neighborhood organization involved in this project.
Sanislo/Neighborhood Walkway Project - $38,100 (Neighborhood Plan-related project)
This neighborhood physical improvement project will build a walkway to improve public safety along 21st AV SW and Sanislo School. Neighbors of 21st and 22nd Ave is the neighborhood organization involved in this project.
Kiwanis Ravine-Wolfe Creek Restoration/Stabilization - $37,089
The project will restore native vegetation, regenerate Wolfe Creek shoreline, and stabilize steep slopes in Kiwanis Ravine's great blue heron rookery. Heron Habitat Helpers is the neighborhood organization.
For more information about neighborhood improvements, visit the mayor's web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor .
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Office of the Mayor
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