SEATTLE – Mayor Mike McGinn recently announced more than $500,000 in matching funds to support neighborhood projects across the city, including several in Southeast Seattle.
The Small and Simple Projects Fund, one of three funds managed by Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, provides cash awards of up to $20,000 in matching funds to neighborhood organizations committed to fostering and building a better community. The 2012 awards ranged from $4,200 to $20,000, and the organizations have pledged to match the City’s $534,666 contribution with resources valued at nearly $760,123.
“These awards recognize the dedication and hard work of community members working together to improve their neighborhood,” says Mayor Mike McGinn. “Whether the projects are for physical improvements or a community celebration, the benefit of this program is the connection and engagement of neighbors and the broader community.”
Recipients of the Neighborhood Matching Fund match their awards through a combination of locally raised money, donated materials and volunteer labor. On average, community volunteers invest $1.45 of donations and sweat equity for every $1 of taxpayer support.
Small and Simple Projects in Southeast Seattle:
Charlestown Hillclimb Neighborhood Project (Mt. Baker)
With assistance from a landscape architect, prepare a landscape design and plant list that will allow the community to landscape the Charlestown Hillclimb with drought-tolerant and native plants. Award: $10,400/Match: $6,355
Seward Park Torii Planning Project (Seward Park)
Develop a community engagement process for restoring the 25′ torii or Japanese gate that stood at the entrance to Seward Park for 50 years prior to its removal in 1986. Award: $19,500/Match: $10,105
Rainier Beach Moving Forward (Rainier Beach)
Resulting from the Rainier Beach neighborhood planning effort, plan and organize the Rainier Beach Town Hall for January of 2013 to assist neighborhood leaders in fostering engagement, creating trust, and setting community priorities. Award: $7,000/ Match: $27,680
Beacon Hill Gateway Mural (Beacon Hill)
Using community input and a local artist, plan and install a mural on the retaining wall adjacent to the Mountains-to-Sound trail next to the south end of the Jose Rizal Bridge. The mural will be visible from the trail as well as to vehicular traffic on I-90 and I-5. It will capture the spirit and strengths of Beacon Hill, increase awareness of our community and its assets, and bolster community pride. Award: $20,000/Match: $20,000
Lewis Park Restoration Phase III (Beacon Hill)
Facilitate a public process to engage our community in planning the next phase of the Lewis Park Natural Area. Working with a landscape architect, this process will result in a landscape plan with several options designed to meet the goal of fostering long-term community stewardship of Lewis Park Natural Area. Award: $20,000/Match: $19,235
Community Emergency Management Project (Hillman City)
Increase emergency preparedness efforts within the East African community of southeast Seattle. This will include training, distribution of emergency kits, and assistance in developing a family emergency plan. Award: $7,100/Match: $6,075
Hawthorne Playground Structure (Mt. Baker)
Replace one of the three playground structures on the Hawthorne Elementary School playground. The project includes the installation of a wheelchair ramp and replacement of the wood chips with ADA-compliant engineered wood fiber chips. Award: $20,000/Match: $55,825
NewHolly Disaster Preparedness (NewHolly)
Further develop the readiness of NewHolly families and the community as a whole for emergencies. The project will offer disaster trainings based on languages represented in NewHolly. Award: $10,371/Match: $3,000
The Seward Park Torii Planning Project is one of nine south-end projects to receive Neighborhood Matching Funds this year. Photo/Rainier Valley Post
