NEDC Announcements

January 10, 2002

 

 

1.       Neighborhood Matching Fund Large Project Awards: 

·         Magnuson Community Garden was awarded $150,000 that will be matched with $175,015 in community contributions to create and sustain an organic garden at Sand Point/Magnuson Park. 

·         The Low Income Housing Institute was awarded $65,000 that will be matched with $96,379 in community contributions to create a new community technology center at Sand Point/Magnuson Park.  In the first phase, 10 computers will be installed.  Another 15 computers will be installed later.

 

2.       Neighborhood Matching Fund Application Due Dates:  Large Project Fund NMF applications are due January 28 and July 15, 2002.  Small and Simple applications are due January 28, March 18, May 20, July 15, September 16 and November 18.  For details, go to www.cityofseattle.net/don/basic.htm.

 

3.       Hawthorne Hills Albertson's is Closing:  The Hawthorne Hills Albertson's on 40th and 55th will be closing at the end of January due to a corporate decision.  There is no news as to future businesses on the site.

 

4.       Sports Fields/Wetlands/Light Draft EIS (DEIS):  The DEIS for the Drainage, Wetland/Habitat Complex and Sports Field/Courts Project is now available for review and comment.  Comments are due no later than February 28, 2002.  A public hearing on the DEIS will be held on February 4 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. in the Community Activity Center (Building 406).  Public comment, not to exceed five minutes per speaker, may be made at the hearing and a court reporter will be present to record comments.  The public may also submit written comments in support of their oral statement or prior to the hearing.  The DEIS is available as follow:

·         There are copies at the North East, University, Lake City and Montlake Branch Libraries, and the Meadowbrook Community Center.

·         Copies are available for public review during regular office hours at the Park's office, 7400 Sand Point Way NE.

·         A copy will be posted on the Park's website at www.cityofseattle.net/parks/.

·         Additional copies are also available for purchase at the Sand Point Magnuson Park offices.  The cost is $15 and payment can be made via cash or check.

 

5.       Free Gun Locks:  The Seattle Police Department, Seattle Fire Department, Community Centers and other partners are participating in distribution of 5,760 cable-style gun safety locks to Seattle residents.  The locks will be distributed on a first-come-first served basis.  There is a limit of two locks per household.  Safety locks are available FREE at the Citizens Service Bureau on the 1st floor of the Municipal Building, at the downtown Seattle Police Department (610 Third Avenue, 4th Floor) and at all fire stations and community centers.  Please do not bring your guns to public facilities.

 

6.       Free Technology Resources for Community Groups:  The Department of Neighborhoods and Department of Information Technology offers the following free services:

·         E-mail Discussion Lists or Listservs:  Neighborhood and community groups can set up an e-mail discussion list (also called a listserv) for free through the City.  A discussion list is an online community of people who discuss a specific topic or topics using e-mail.  List members join the discussion by subscribing (for free) to the list.  Every person who subscribes to the list will receive any e-mail sent to the list. This is a great way to have community discussions or to send out broadcast messages and announcements.  A discussion list is one way for community groups to manage their e-mail contacts, because it allows group members to sign up and remove themselves, as they like.  Each group member no longer has to maintain his or her own e-mail lists and remember when to add and subtract people.  Discussion lists can be set up in different ways depending on what your group needs. For more information about setting up a free discussion list for your group, contact Derrick Hall at 206-233-5061 or derrick.hall@ci.seattle.wa.us. 

·         Free Web Hosting:  The city provides free Web hosting for neighborhood groups and nonprofit organizations on the City’s Web site.  If your group has created a site but needs someone to host it, the City’s Web site is a great free option.  (The City cannot support separate domain names or e-mail addresses for community groups.)  For examples of other community sites, visit the Neighborhoods on the Net page at www.cityofseattle.net/don/links.htm.  For information on putting your community site on to the City’s Web page, contact Bruce Blood at 206-386-1758 or bruceblood@ci.seattle.wa.us.

·         Publicity for Your Neighborhood Web Site:  If you have a neighborhood Web site and you want it added to the Neighborhoods on the Net page at www.cityofseattle.net/don/links.htm, contact James Mitchell at 206-615-0491 or james.mitchell@ci.seattle.wa.us.

·         Funding for Community and Neighborhood Technology Projects:  The Technology Matching Fund, modeled after the Neighborhood Matching Fund, provides money for community technology access and literacy projects on an annual basis.  For more information, contact David Keyes at 206-386-9759 or david.keyes@ci.seattle.wa.us, or go to www.cityofseattle.net/tech/tmf on the Web.

·         Free City Surplus Computers:  The City surpluses hundreds of computers each year.  These computers, which are usually about three years old, are provided for free to nonprofit human service agencies and schools.  If your group is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, you may be eligible to receive surplus computers.  For more information, contact Bob Liston at 206-684-0105 or robert.liston@ci.seattle.wa.us or download an application at www.cityofseattle.net/tech/npo/surplusapplication.doc on the Web.

·         Free Internet for Public Access Sites:  If your group is providing computer access to the public, you may be eligible for free installation, modem, and Internet access from AT&T Broadband Internet Access.  The City of Seattle, in cooperation with AT&T Broadband Services is providing a limited number of free high-speed connections to the Internet for qualified sites providing public access.  This Access for All Project is part of the City’s effort to ensure citizens technology literacy and access.  For more information, contact Derrick Hall at 206-233-5061 or derrick.hall@ci.seattle.wa.us, or go to www.cityofseattle.net/tech/projects/cablemodem.htm on the Web.

 

7.       8th Annual Neighbor Appreciation Day:  Saturday, February 9, 2002 marks Seattle’s eighth annual Neighbor Appreciation Day.  It is a time to reach out to neighbors — to create new bonds and to express thanks for the neighbors in our lives.  For a comprehensive calendar of upcoming Neighbor Appreciation Day events, go to www.cityofseattle.net/don/apday/.  If you have an event to add to this calendar e-mail irene.stewart@ci.seattle.wa.us or call 615-0950.  Neighborhood Appreciation Day greeting cards for community groups to send out are (or will be) available at the University District Service Center and at the Department of Neighborhoods downtown office. 

·         Fire Station Open Houses:  All Seattle fire stations will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. to the public on Neighbor Appreciation Day.  Neighbors are welcome to stop by, meet the firefighters and learn about the work they do in the neighborhood.

·         Neighborhood Night at the Sonics:  The Seattle Supersonics invite neighborhood groups to come to a Sonics game (Sonics vs. Boston Celtics) on Saturday, February 16th at a discounted price on their first "Neighborhood Night."  Seats will be discounted to $8 each.  Neighborhood groups will be featured on the ArenaVision during the game and the neighborhood with the largest attendance will win Sonics T-shirts.  There are no limits on who you can include in your group--bring members, employees, businesses, family and friends!--but orders must be received at least seven days prior to the game.  The game will be held at 7 p.m. in Key Arena at the Seattle Center.  For further information or to request an order form, contact Scott Earle at 206-272-2618 or searle@sonics-storm.com.

 

8.       Free Meeting Space in Schools:  The Community Nights in Schools pilot program offers an inexpensive ($10) way for neighborhood and community groups to obtain space in Seattle School buildings for gatherings of up to 50 people.  If a large number of groups do not use space through the pilot program, it will not be continued.  If you know of groups that might be interested in using space in schools, please send the name and address of the group to Sandra Boas-Dupree at sandra.boas-dupree@ci.seattle.wa.us and that group will be sent a brochure.  For electronic copies of the brochure or to reserve space, email the same person.  For further information, contact Sandra Boas-Dupree, Community In Schools Coordinator, Seattle Parks Department, at 206-615-1812, fax her at 206-684-7025, email her at the address provided, or write to her at:  Seattle Parks Department, Citywide Division, 100 Dexter Avenue North, Seattle, WA  98109-5199. 

 

9.       Congratulations Council Chair Sullivan!  On January 7, 2002, the Metropolitan King County Council unanimously elected Councilmember Cynthia Sullivan as Chair of the Council for 2002.  Under the adopted reorganization plan, Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer will serve as vice chair.  Marking a significant step toward bipartisan efforts and a working majority, this is the first time in County history that members of different political parties have been elected chair and vice-chair.

 

10.   UW Master Plan Hearing:  There will be a hearing on the UW 10-Year Master Plan beginning on February 5, 2002 at 9 a.m.  The hearing will take place in Room 1320 of the Alaska Building, 618 Second Avenue.  There is no set time limit (minimum or maximum) for hearings.  A hearing can take as little as an hour, many take several hours, and some take more than a day.  The length of the hearing is determined primarily by the complexity of the issues that need to be presented.  In this case, the Hearing Examiner has reserved February 5, 6, 7, 11 and 12.

·         How is this hearing different than a land use appeal?  Hearings on major institution master plans are different than appeals to the hearing examiner on land use issues.  After the end of the hearing, the examiner prepares the Hearing Examiner's recommendation, which is sent to the City Council along with all the exhibits and other materials in the record of hearing.  The City Council will use this record as the basis for its decision.  The Hearing Examiner's recommendation will be sent to those who request a copy.

·         How to participate:  Written comments may be submitted prior to 5 p.m., February 5 to:  Meredith Getches, Seattle Hearing Examiner, 1320 Alaska Building, 618 Second Avenue, Seattle, WA  98104, meredith.getches@ci.seattle.wa.us or by faxing her at 206-684-9536.

·         Further information?  Contact Meridith Getches at the email, fax and phone number listed above.

 

11.   City Department Heads:

·         Department of Neighborhoods (DON):  Mayor Nickels named Brent Crook as Acting-Director of Neighborhoods.  Crook, with DON since 1995, formerly served as the Director of the Community Building Division, which includes the Neighborhood Matching Fund, P-Patch and the Neighborhood Service Center Coordinators.

·         DCLU:  Nickels named Diane Sugimura, Deputy Director of DCLU as the department’s acting director until a permanent replacement has been named to replace Rick Krochalis.

·         Seattle Public Utilities (SPU):  Nickels named Chuck Clarke to head SPU.

·         Department directors continuing in their current positions include: Virginia Anderson, Director of the Seattle Center; Germaine Covington, Director of the Seattle Office for Civil Rights; John Franklin, Director of Fleets & Facilities; Norma McKinney, Director of Personnel; Gary Morris, Seattle Fire Chief; Steve Nicholas, Director of the Office of Sustainability & Environment; Gary Zarker, Superintendent of Seattle City Light; and Ken Bounds, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation.

 

12.   Federation Meeting:  The Seattle Community Council meeting of January 24th will feature Jim Diers, former director of the Department of Neighborhoods on the topic of "Farewells and Forecasts."  The meeting is held at NOAH Lake Union Headquarters, 1801 Fairview Avenue E.  Due to new security requirements, all those attending must provide their name in advance.  To do so, please contact Rick Barrett at 206-365-1267 or fcql@jpf.net.

 

13.   TransLake Washington Project:  At the end of January (Jan 30 at 1PM at MOHAI, to be exact), TLWP’s executive committee is scheduled to make a very important decision: namely the decision about which alternatives will be included in the project’s EIS. In preparation, the project’s Technical Committee will meet at MOHAI on Dec 12 from 9-12, and the Advisory Committee will meet on Jan 9 from 4-7PM at the N Bellevue Community College Senior Center. Several community meetings on this topic will also be held between now and then.  For information on inviting TLWP staff to your community meeting, contact Amy Grotefendt (agrotefendt@enviroissues.com) or Jenni Cannon (jcannon@enviroissues.com), or call one of them at 269-5041. For a schedule of upcoming meetings, check out http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/translake/home.htm.

 

14.   Sand Point Community Communications Committee:  This group will meet on January 23 probably at the Brig.  If your group has not yet designated a representative and alternate or if you would like further information, contact C. David Hughbanks at 206-615-1502 or cdavid.hughbanks@ci.seattle.wa.us.

 

15.   Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration:  Join this community celebration at the Seattle Center from Friday, January 18th through Monday January 21st to honor civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Song, dance, entertainment and motivational speakers will be featured. For further information, contact Bryant Osborne at 206-684-7143.  Events will be also be held on Monday, January 21st at Garfield High School (400-23rd Avenue), with workshops beginning at 9:30 a.m., a rally at 11:00 a.m. and a march beginning at noon to the King County Courthouse.  For information about the workshops, rally and march, contact Peg Williams at 206-722-3582 or Nick Allen at 206-296-0321 or nick.allen@metrokc.gov.

 

16.   University Area Transportation Study (UATS) Meeting:  The Preliminary draft of the University Area Transportation Study, revised December 27, 2001, is now available at http://www.cityofseattle.net/planning/transportation/AreaWideStudies/UATS.htm.  For further information, contact Jon Layzer of the Strategic Planning Office at 206-684-8084 or jonathan.layzer@ci.seattle.wa.us.  A meeting is scheduled on January 17th from 5:30-7:30 in Room 110 of University Heights.

 

17.   U District Gems Project:  The U District Gems project is under way.  The purpose of the survey is to document significant historical and architectural resources at least 40 years old in the U District, excluding the University of Washington campus.  The survey will be used as a basis for nominating and evaluating new potential Seattle landmarks.  Volunteers will participate in a field survey of historic resources during January and February and will assist with historical and property research in February and March. Completion of the project is anticipated in May 2002. Two training sessions for the field survey are scheduled in January:  Thursday, January 10th from 7p.m. to 8:45 p.m. (slide show/training session on architectural styles) and Saturday, January 12th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (field training workshop)  Both meetings will be held at the University Library, 5009 Roosevelt Way NE.  The field training workshop will involve working outdoors in the neighborhood.  Please bring a camera with you to the field training workshop.  Attendance at these training sessions is important for participation in the field survey.  For further information, contact Karen Ko at 206-233-3732 or karen.ko@ci.seattle.wa.us.

 

18.   Neighborhood Leadership Program Kick-Off and Forum:  You're invited to celebrate the first two years of this program and help shape activities for the coming year:  Wednesday, January 30th, 7-9 p.m., Seattle Central Community College, 1701 Broadway, Room 1110.  For further information, contact Randy Wiger at 206-684-0719 ext. 1 or neighborhoodleadership@ci.seattle.wa.us or go to www.cityofseattle.net/don/.