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Civil Rights Coalition Applauds Committee on Efforts to Close Minority Homeownership Gap, Eliminate Discriminatory Policies: “This is What Oversight Looks Like”

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The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, joined by Americans for Financial Reform, submitted testimony today to the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development and Insurance at its hearing on “A Review of the State of and Barriers to Minority Homeownership.” The Leadership Conference applauds the chair and the committee for examining policies to address our nation’s troubling racial gap in homeownership and many financial practices that impact communities of color.

“We are grateful not just for today’s hearing, but for what can only be described as a flurry of hearings in the past several weeks that have examined policies and practices affecting the financial health of communities of color,” said the groups in their testimony. “The pace has undoubtedly been challenging, but we commend the members of this committee and its tireless staff for their hard work and their willingness to engage in serious discussions about how our nation should regulate the financial services industry moving forward.”

The testimony details a historic overview of the state of the minority homeownership gap and offers recommendations to encourage continued oversight on discriminatory financial policies. These include:

  • Housing finance reform
  • Improvements in credit score models
  • Enforcement of the Fair Housing Act
  • Oversight and clear metrics for measuring affordable housing within new Opportunity Zone programs

“The lessons learned from the housing crisis – or in some cases, the lessons that should have been learned – must be kept in mind if we are to succeed in efforts to promote sustainable levels of homeownership among communities of color,” said the groups.

Read the full testimony here.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.
Americans for Financial Reform is a nonpartisan and nonprofit coalition of more than 200 civil rights, consumer, labor, business, investor, faith-based, and civic and community groups.

Airport Rental Car Suppler Diversity Outreach

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Airport Rental Car Suppler Diversity Outreach
4/30/2019
Time: 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM (PDT)
Where: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport/Central Auditorium

Registration Deadline: 4/28/2019 (PDT)
Fee: No fee

Contact: seatacshops@portseattle.org

Program Format: Outreach/Networking
Topic: Airport Rental Car Supplier Diversity Outreach
Description:

In efforts to increase diversity within the Airport’s Car Rental industry. The Port of Seattle and airport car rental concessionaires will be holding a half-day outreach event to provide contracting opportunities to small diverse businesses.

Join us if you are interested in finding out what these contracting opportunities are. Find out how certain business certifications can benefit your small business firm with car rental concessionaires. We will provide information on how the Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) and other Supplier Diversity certifications can benefit your small business. You do not have to be certified to attend. Free parking and lunch provided.

Register at: http://bit.ly/adroutreach

UW Charging Employees for Transit Passes is an Affront to the Ideals of Earth Day

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A coalition of labor, community, and environmental organizations held an Earth Day press conference outside the UW Light Rail station to blast a proposal by the University to increase the out-of-pocket costs for some employees to purchase a transit pass. The group called on the UW regents to vote down the proposal, and instead provide a fully-subsidized transit pass to all employees like other large Seattle employers.

Over the past year, this coalition has successfully pressured the UW to provide fully-subsidized transit passes for around half the UW’s workforce starting July 1, 2019. UW is proposing to raise out-of-pocket transit costs for thousands of employees (professional staff and faculty) who are not covered by this agreement.

“It’s time for UW to get in line with Seattle’s other big employers and provide all employees with a fully-subsidized transit pass,” said Elizabeth Bauerle, a research scientist at UW Medical Center and a member of the University Transportation Committee. “Incentivizing public transit will reduce carbon emissions, make streets safer, ease gridlock, and free up parking for U-District neighbors — all matters of increasing urgency as the UW begins a massive expansion that will add thousands of commute trips every day. It’s unfortunate that UW is choosing to divide employees over the issue of transit passes.”

The Seattle UW campus expected to grow by 13,000 people in ten years. With an estimated 36% of employees driving to campus alone, this could mean thousands of additional cars on the Seattle roads. Providing transit passes has been proven to change commute behavior.

“As a physician, I’m worried about the effects of vehicle emissions on the health of those in the U-District,” said Dr. Adam Greenbaum, MD/PhD and Board Member of the UW Housestaff Association. “Studies estimate that 60,000 people die every year in the US due to the toxic effects of vehicle emissions. To put this in perspective, this is nearly twice the number of people killed in motor vehicle accidents each year.”

“Faculty wages at the University of Washington lag behind peer institutions,” added Rush Daniel, UW Lecturer. “In one of the most expensive cities in the county, a free U-Pass for faculty is necessary to maintain a decent standard of living.”

After the press conference, the coalition delivered a letter signed by 35 organizations to the UW Board of Regents, President Ana Mari Cauce, and UW Medicine CEO Paul Ramsey.

“We need our community institutions to be community leaders. Unless UW steps up and provides effective transit incentives, future growth will mean more congestion, more air pollution, and more climate emissions,” said Jesse Piedfort, Director of the Washington State Chapter of the Sierra Club. “Providing transit benefits to all employees is a proven strategy that will be a win-win for UW, its employees, and our community.”

Several city council candidates from District 4 joined in calling on UW to make transit passes free to employees, including UW researcher Emily Myers, Shaun Scott, and Cathy Tuttle.

“Affordable and reliable transit is essential for a green, clean, and economically vibrant Seattle,” said Cathy Tuttle, founding director of Seattle Neighborhood Greenways, and a District 4 candidate. “The University of Washington leads the nation in so many fields. Let’s make sure the UW continues to be a leader in providing free transit to its employees.”

District 4 Candidate Emily Myers added: “Our public institutions must be leaders in addressing climate change, especially institutions like the UW who receives millions of dollars in public funding for climate research. With both carbon emissions and cost of living on the rise in Seattle, we are organizing and taking action for climate and worker justice. It’s time for the UW to act according to their stated values to “stand with the world to fight climate change and protect our future,” and the fight starts at home with access to public transportation and fully subsidized transit passes for all workers.”

District 4 Candidate Shaun Scott added: “The University of Washington should live up to its status as a major research institution by taking climate change seriously. A school as resourced as my alma mater should not be balancing society’s climate budget on the backs of working people by making campus employees pay for transit passes. By building a coalition between working people, organized labor and environments activists, we can have a Seattle Green New Deal that turns its back in the climate injustices of the past, builds a city of the future—for future generations, and our own.”

UW regents meet next on May 8 where they’ll have the opportunity to decide on the proposal to increase transit passes for some employees.

In Loving Memory Of Jimmie Turner

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Jimmie, age 85, formerly of Bowie County, TX. passed away on March 16, 2019 at his home in Seattle, WA. He was the youngest of eight children. Over the next 60 years Jimmie went on to become a proud funeral home owner, popular notary public within the Seattle area, as well as holding well respected positions within the United States Army, Proctor and Gamble, and the Boeing company from which he eventually retired. Jimmie received numerous awards of distinction for excellence in punctuality, attendance, and customer service. Known for his love of Jesus and recognizing the importance of outreach, Jimmie could be found on many days supporting community and world-wide causes, driving seniors around the city, and leading bible study at his church Mount Zion Baptist and later New Beginnings Christian Fellowship church where he could be seen standing front and center wearing his deacon hat proudly. Jimmie loved family, golf, and travel which
took him to places including: Europe, Jamaica, and many cities across the U.S. throughout his lifetime. His compassion and love for people is what encouraged him to always lend a helping hand to his fellow brothers and sisters.
On June 16, 1995 Jimmie married his sweetheart Willie Mae of Gurdon, AR. These two shared a lifetime of love, laughter, and fun times with family. Jimmie was preceded in death by his parents: Jimmie Turner and Eula Lee Archie; brothers: Hughes Turner, John C. Turner, and Agusta Turner. Sisters: Suzie Turner, Nadean Turner, Angelean Turner. Jimmie is survived by his wife Willie Mae Turner of Seattle, WA; children: Kevin Turner (Stephanie) of Ore City, TX; Erica Turner-Johnson (Cedrick) of Jefferson, TX. Step-daughter Swannee Bruner (James) of Seattle, WA. Sister; Ann Standoak of Dallas, TX. Numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family, and “adopted family,” that held a special place in his heart also survive him,

2018 Spanaway Lake High School graduate wins prestigious fellowship to study abroad

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SPANAWAY LAKE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE FREDERICK UY WINS PRESTIGIOUS FREDERICK DOUGLASS GLOBAL FELLOWSHIP TO STUDY ABROAD IN LONDON THIS SUMMER

Frederick Uy, a 2018 Spanaway Lake High School graduate, today was awarded a prestigious Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship (FDGF), which provides a full scholarship for the Claflin University freshman to attend a comprehensive study abroad program in London, England this summer.

 

The FDGF is operated jointly by the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), the nation’s largest non-profit facilitator of studying abroad, and the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions (CMSI). Each year, the Fellowship is awarded to 10 outstanding students that attend a Minority Serving Institution (MSI).

Uy, who was born in the Philippines and later moved to Tacoma, Washington, is pursuing a double major in Finance and Computer Science. After his undergraduate studies, Uy hopes to enroll in a joint MBA and Law program then become a financial lawyer who helps smaller companies thrive.  “It has always been a dream of mine to study abroad and be in a learning environment outside of the standard classroom,” he said, noting that he looks forward to being forced to adapt outside his normal comfort zone.

“Studying abroad will push me to become a better person from networking and being engaged with different people and different cultures,” Uy said. “This opportunity is very important for my career because it will allow me to establish strong and solid connections and relationships with successful people in the business world.”

Uy said that he is honored to be a Frederick Douglass Global Fellow and immerse himself into different cultures.  He is very excited to meet new people, form networks, and expand his horizons even more. Outside of school, Uy enjoys playing guitar and other instruments, exploring new places, doing photography, and watching the financial trends of different stocks.

The Fellows were nominated by their college presidents and selected during a national competition. The winners have demonstrated high academic achievement, possess exemplary communication skills, display the hallmarks of self-determination, exhibit characteristics of bold leadership, and have a history of service to others.

The winners will use their experiences to motivate other under-represented students to pursue opportunities to study abroad.  Of the 332,727 US college students who studied abroad in 2017, less than 30% were students of color — 0.4% American Indian/Alaskan Native, 4.3% multiracial, 6.1% African American, 8.2%Asian/Pacific Islander and 10% Hispanic Americans, according to data from the Institute of International Education.  The data shows that students of color largely miss out on international education experiences that can play a critical role in their personal growth, as well as academic and career success.

The Frederick Douglass Fellowship, which launched in 2017, is representative of efforts by CIEE and CMSI to increase diversity in study abroad by breaking down the barriers of cost, curriculum, and culture that prevent students from participating in international education experiences. Named for the African American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and international statesman Frederick Douglass, the Fellowship encourages students to use his life as a model to becoming bold, globally conscious and service-oriented leaders.

 

“The students selected for the Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship are ten exemplary student leaders who demonstrate the iconic leadership, keen intellect, and natural change-agent attributes of Frederick Douglass,” said James P. Pellow, President and CEO of CIEE. “These students will be the next generation of leaders and I know that the intercultural competence and global perspective they will gain during the London program will benefit them throughout their lives.”

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About The Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions
The Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions brings together researchers and practitioners from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions. The Center’s goals include: elevating the educational contributions of MSIs; ensuring that they are a part of national conversations; bringing awareness to the vital role MSIs play in the nation’s economic development; increasing the rigorous scholarship of MSIs; connecting MSIs’ academic and administrative leadership to promote reform initiatives; and strengthening efforts to close educational achievement gaps among disadvantaged communities. For further information about the Center, please visit www.gse.upenn.edu/cmsi

About CIEE

CIEE, the country’s oldest and largest nonprofit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization, transforms lives and builds bridges by promoting the exchange of ideas and experiences. To help people develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world, CIEE sponsors a wide variety of opportunities for cultural exchange, including work exchange programs, teach abroad programs, and a worldwide portfolio of study abroad and internship programs for college and high school students. Visit www.ciee.org.

 

SEATTLE’S YOUTH POET LAUREATE AZURA TYABJI IS ANNOUNCED AS A REGIONAL FINALIST FOR NATIONAL YOUTH POET LAUREATE.  The announcement of the 2019 National Youth Poet Laureate will take place on Thursday, April 4, 2019. 

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Seattle Arts & Lectures is delighted to announce that Azura Tyabji has been invited to perform at the third annual National Youth Poet Laureate Commencement on April 4, 2019 at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The event celebrates the five Regional Finalists, of which Azura is one, and announces the new 2019 National Youth Poet Laureate.

Born and raised in Seattle, Azura Mizan Tyabji is serving as Seattle’s 2018/19 Youth Poet Laureate. As a writer, spoken word performer, facilitator, and educator, what motivates every aspect of her artistic practice is a love for community, justice, and healing. If her words leave you feeling hopeful, empowered, or thinking deeper, she has achieved her goal as a poet. She hopes to continue challenging and expanding her craft and giving back to the city that inspires her. She is 18 years old and a graduate from Nova High School. Azura’s first book of poetry will be published this May with Poetry NW Editions. The book will debut at Northwest Folklife at a celebration which will also crown next year’s Youth Poet Laureate.

Azura is averrable for interviews. Please contact SAL with requests.

About the YPL Program: A joint program between WITS and Urban Word NYC—with support from Northwest Folklife, Poetry Northwest, and the Academy of American Poets—the Seattle Youth Poet Laureate Program aims to identify youth writers and leaders who are committed to civic and community engagement, poetry and performance, human relations, diversity, and education across Seattle. SAL, WITS, and our other partners recognize that youth voices and community engagement are vital for empowering young people to effect positive changes in their communities and beyond.

About Seattle Arts & Lectures: Founded in 1987, Seattle Arts & Lectures champions the literary arts by engaging and inspiring readers and writers of all generations in the Puget Sound region. SAL’s programs include the Literary Arts Series, Poetry Series, Women You Need to Know (WYNK), Journalism Series, SAL Presents, Hinge, Local Voices, Summer Book Bingo, the Youth Poet Laureate (YPL) program, and Writers in the Schools (WITS). For more information about SAL, visit lectures.org.

Public Defense launches post-conviction unit Attorneys will help people vacate convictions and expunge records

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Criminal records hinder a person’s ability to get a job, secure housing, obtain benefits and more. The Department of Public Defense’s new post-conviction relief unit will help people rebuild their lives by vacating convictions and expunging records as allowed under state law.

People with criminal convictions who are eligible to have those convictions vacated will get additional legal assistance to do so, thanks to a new post-conviction relief unit at the King County Department of Public Defense.

The department started its new unit this month, a pilot project funded by King County’s recently passed 2019-2020 operating budget. One paralegal and the equivalent of one full-time attorney will provide the legal help eligible clients need to get convictions vacated. The pilot project also provides funding to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to vacate convictions.

Under state law, many convictions can be vacated, provided enough time has passed. For certain non-violent Class B felonies, one can file a motion to vacate 10 years after completion of the sentence; for non-violent Class C felonies, the wait is five years, and for misdemeanors, three years.

Vacating a criminal record helps to end some of the collateral consequences of criminal legal system involvement. It means, for instance, that the person can state in job applications, housing applications and other forms that he or she has not been convicted of a crime. It also provides some protection in background checks.

“A criminal conviction is like a scarlet letter. It keeps someone entangled in the criminal legal system for years and years, long after they’ve completed their sentence,” said Anita Khandelwal, director of the Department of Public Defense (DPD).

“This kind of work is critical to equity and social justice,” she added. “A person who has completed a sentence should not be forced to carry that mark forever. An equitable and fair system is one that, at a minimum, allows a person to rebuild his or her life.”

DPD already provides some post-conviction work, but on a limited basis. The new unit will enable DPD to provide the service to many more people and to do so systematically, Khandelwal said. The department, for instance, will begin reaching out to people via community partners, social media, workshops and other avenues in an effort to let people know the service exists.

“We don’t know what the volume will be, but we know the need is great,” Khandelwal said.

The attorneys in the new unit will also help clients get their records expunged, which means removing an arrest record or criminal charge that was later dismissed. They can also help people get records sealed, a discretionary process that requires the individual to show his or her privacy needs outweigh the public interest in open access to the courts.

DPD provides high-quality legal advocacy in all areas of criminal law and some areas of civil law to people who cannot afford an attorney. The department employs attorneys, investigators, social workers, paralegals and administrators. In 2018, DPD represented nearly 20,000 individuals in courts throughout King County.

For information about DPD’s post-conviction unit, call the department at 206-296-7662.

When Rim Sparks Fly – Become a Spark Plug for Someone Else! How One Woman’s Flat Tire Inspired a Global Trucking Movement

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By Keith Martino

The sun baked down on the four door station wagon stalled on the side of the road. And the driver inside fumed and sizzled.

“What do you mean you can’t help? I’m stranded,” she explained in haste.

“Two hours?”

“Surely, you’re joking!”

The conversation screeched to a tense halt. You wouldn’t need a PhD to know that the driver of the car, Virginia, Ellen’s mother was out of sorts. Virginia was a strong person, but the signs were evident. Her face was red. Her pulse was racing. And her adrenaline was pumping. Unfortunately, it seemed Virginia wasn’t going anywhere fast on that particular day.

Across town, Ellen’s father’s heart was also pounding. He owned the local funeral home and despite his sincere desire to help, he was completely out of position to solve his wife’s dilemma. Virginia’s rear tire was flat and the July heat was driving the mercury level through the roof.

As the proverbial philosopher once wrote, “If necessity is the mother of invention, bad timing is the father.” This seemingly unfortunate incident spawned a significant advancement in the trucking industry. It’s an advancement that we celebrate today.

To understand the impact of this one lady’s untimely flat tire on an entire industry, you’d need to fast-forward almost a decade. On another memorable occasion, Ellen’s now calm, cool and collected mother stood beside Ellen quietly encouraging her with words like “You can do anything. You can be anything you want to be. Don’t let anything slow you down.”

Then Virginia harkened back to that fateful afternoon in July. “Remember that time I was stranded with the flat tire?” her mom reminded her. “It never happened again. I took matters into my own hands. That was the moment that I decided to take my first mechanics course.” Virginia smiled.

Ellen Voie took the direction from her mother’s experience quite literally. And she applied that advice in ways beyond her mother’s wildest imagination. In 2008, Ellen founded Women in Trucking: an association designed to be a resource and encouragement to transportation leaders.

Ellen’s ride to the top with her association group hasn’t always been smooth cruising either.

She’s encountered her own array of potholes along the way. But she has persevered while pursuing experience in steel fabrication, traffic management, and transportation regulatory consulting. Ellen even owned a multi-truck fleet while married to an over-the-road driver. So she has seen the trucking industry from almost every conceivable angle.

Here are five specific strategies Ellen put in place to accelerate her progress. Regardless of your gender or profession, you will likely find them helpful and motivational.

  1. Ellen listened to and followed the advice from a woman she deeply respected. She didn’t question whether she had the talent to succeed. She accepted the encouragement offered and set a goal to achieve something special. When her mother passed away near Ellen’s 19th birthday, Ellen picked up the leadership encouragement torch and drove forward.

 

  1. Ellen prepared for every position in which she served. She never assumed that the world owed her a fortune. She set aside preconceived notions regarding the appropriate role of women in any enterprise and apprenticed in a variety of positions that others might have avoided. Eventually, Ellen was so well diversified that she wrote a thesis on the complex identities of women married to professional drivers.

 

  1. Ellen worked in both traditional and non-traditional positions. Ellen’s gender never stopped her from learning about all sorts of topics like drafting, steel fabrication and detailed trucking regulations. She spent almost 18 years licensing and permitting carriers in Central Wisconsin. Ellen isn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves and she loves strategic planning. Ellen can shift all 10 gears with the best of them.

 

  1. Ellen continues to surround herself with bright minds. She doesn’t need to be the smartest person in the room. Ellen has formed a Board of Directors for Women in Trucking that is steeped in wisdom and experience. She continues to attract fellow visionaries from global corporations to guide and fuel her vehicle for helping women. As a result, Ellen’s association is picking up speed and adding new members daily.

 

  1. Ellen mentors people by empowering them to make decisions, take risks and achieve their dreams. She has established a leadership culture that enables women in the transportation industry to build their confidence by proving themselves capable and competent. Ten years ago it was unheard of that women were starting trucking companies. Today, many women are taking over truck lines from their fathers and these companies are continuing to fire on all cylinders. Ellen loves to mentor.

 

So do you think Ellen ever encounters her own flat tire of sorts? Absolutely!

 

A few years ago the economy turned down at the most inopportune time. Ellen wanted to grow the association but many companies were in dire straits and unable to pay their dues. This posed a significant threat to the still-budding association she had established.

 

Did Ellen wither in the heat of the noonday sun? Hardly. She devised a plan to extend the term of struggling members from 12 months to 18 months. Voila! The association continued to grow despite the economic pressures.

 

Remember Ellen’s mom? The sun baked down on the four door station wagon stalled on the side of the road. The driver inside fumed and sizzled.

 

“What do you mean you can’t help? I’m stranded,” she explained.

 

“Two hours?”

 

“Surely, you’re joking?”

 

It may have seemed like just another flat tire at the time. But, that was the day the trucking industry took a turn for the best. Women in transportation have never looked back.

 

Step on it Ellen!

 

 

Keith Martino is head of CMI, a global consultancy founded in 1999 that customizes leadership and sales development initiatives. Martino is the author of Expect Leadership, a series of leadership books – The Executive Edition, in Business, in Engineering, and in Technology. After more than 20 years and numerous awards at FedEx, Xerox and Baxter Healthcare, Martino and his team provide world-class counsel and proven web-based tools that produce consistent results. Martino is quoted in Young Upstarts, Entrepreneur Magazine, NewsMax Finance, the FedEx Worldwide Manager’s Pak, and several metropolitan business and industry trade journals. For more information visit KeithMartino.com

 

House leaders unveil bill to help U.S. meet Paris Climate Agreement goals

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Leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives today announced the introduction this week of H.R. 9 “The Climate Action Now”. This legislation is aimed at keeping the United States on track to achieve benchmarks set by the Paris Climate Agreement, which President Donald Trump has vowed to quit. The legislation would ensure that the United States meets its international commitment to cut carbon emissions by at least 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025.

Bruce Speight, Environment Washington Director, issued the following statement:

“We applaud the leadership of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Energy and Commerce Chair Frank Pallone, Foreign Affairs Chair Eliot Engel, and Select Committee on Climate Crisis Chair Kathy Castor for sending the message to the world that America still has the will to be a strong global leader on the climate crisis.

“One hundred and eighty-five countries have ratified the Paris Agreement with the understanding that concerted global action is necessary ‘to combat climate change and to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future,’ according to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

“The United States is uniquely capable of developing and implementing the solutions we need — transitioning to a society completely powered by clean energy, electrifying our cars, and expanding mass transit and bike lanes. We have the research universities and institutions, the renewable energy technology, and most of all, the indomitable spirit of innovation that has powered America for more than 200 years. All we need is the political will to make it happen.

“This bill is just a first step in solving the climate crisis and maintaining our global standing.  We sincerely hope this is a building block on our road to a 100 percent carbon-neutral future, which is what science tells us is crucial to stave off the worst impacts of climate change. Environment Washington looks forward to working with our congressional leaders and anybody — no matter their political party or where they’re from — who wants to join the effort.”

Community invited to participate in South Park Community Center Site Redevelopment Project 

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) invites the community to provide input on spray park features, playground equipment, cultural themes and field usability for the new site wide design at the South Park Community Center.  Please join us on Friday, March 29, 2019 from 5 to 8 p.m. at  the South Park Community Center’s multipurpose room at 8319 8th Ave. S., 98108. Children’s activities and refreshments will be provided.

This meeting is an opportunity for the community to learn about the South Park Community Center Site Redevelopment Project and provide input on specific features. In spring 2018, SPR finalized a concept design to install and relocate a play area, install a spray park, create a full-size multi-sport synthetic turf field with a circular walking trail, and add features including an outdoor fitness zone, LED lighting, ADA accessibility, sport court, off-leash area and a renovated parking lot.

This community driven project is funded by Seattle Park District and includes the Major Projects Challenge Fund, state grants and a partnership with Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences through the Seattle Parks Foundation. SPR hired Broadview Planning in 2017 and MIG/SvR in 2018 to lead the planning and design with an emphasis on providing strategies for mitigating negative health impacts resulting from the site’s proximity to a major transportation corridor. The project incorporates the principles of crime prevention through environmental design and a race and social justice lens with a strong focus on engaging underrepresented communities.

For more information about this project please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/south-park-community-center-play-area-renovation or contact Karimah Edwards at Karimah.edwards@seattle.gov or 206-233-0063.