Councilmember Sally Bagshaw announced new funding for three Rainier Valley neighborhood projects today: The Columbia City Gateway, the Ethiopian Community Center Kitchen renovation and the Orca K-8 School Playground renovation. $100,000 will go to each of the projects via the City of Seattle's Neighborhood Matching Large Projects Fund.
"I'm delighted to see these projects receive funding, all of which were initiated and implemented by community members," said Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, chair of the City Council's Neighborhoods Committee. "This is a shining example of true neighborhood empowerment, where community volunteer hours and community fundraising are leveraged into additional support."
Details of the three projects are as follows:
Mobilize the community in transforming the unsightly and neglected Northeast corner of the Columbia School property into a signature streetscape and mini-park as a welcoming "gateway" to the neighborhood.
Renovate and update approximately 900 sq. ft. commercial kitchen and bring it fully up to code. The project aims to create a vibrant hub of community building, healthy eating, learning, celebration and sharing.
Improve site entry, acquire new playground equipment, expand all-weather surface area, a natural outdoor classroom "Council Ring," running track, renovated play field, pole and ramp course (for all but especially highly disabled individuals), ADA accessible textile nature path, expanded seating and garden beds and safety improvements.
Recipients of the Neighborhood Matching Fund match their awards through a combination of locally raised money, donated materials and expertise and volunteer labor. A Citywide Review Team consisting of community volunteers reviewed applications and selected these Rainier Valley projects, amongst others, for funding. Council approved their recommendation on Monday, August 11th.