Mayor Durkan Announces $1.2 Million in Funding for Black & Tan Hall to Purchase New Venue

December 23, 2020 by Seattle OPCD

Building Acquisition Solidifies Residency in South Seattle Neighborhood At High Risk of Displacement

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced today that the City of Seattle provided $1,190,000 in funding to Black & Tan Hall for the purchase of the historic theater building located at 5608 Rainier Avenue South. The organization will provide arts and cultural programming in Hillman City. Funding was made available through the Office of Planning and Community Development’s Equitable Development Initiative (EDI).

Black & Tan Hall aims to create a model for community-led development that places people first, building collective wealth among historically disenfranchised communities while providing good jobs and job training. Their new building will be a cultural hub that serves the diverse communities of Rainier Valley through culturally reflective programming, showcasing artists from BIPOC and LBGTQIA communities.

“The City of Seattle is making a historic investment of more than $100 million in our Black, Indigenous, and communities of color that have faced generations of systemic racism and oppression that has kept them from economic justice. Increasing community ownership of land is one way in which we can begin to address the systemic inequities,” said Mayor Durkan. “Investments in cultural spaces like Black & Tan Hall are crucial during this time when so many have been forced to close their doors due to the financial hardship created by the pandemic. With this funding, we are helping to ensure that Black & Tan Hall will have a home in South Seattle for as long as they determine with the ability to serve the community for decades to come.”

Black & Tan was co-founded by professional musician and educator Ben Hunter, well-known local chef and youth culinary educator Tarik Abdullah, and long-time South Seattle community organizer Rodney Herold. The founders envisioned a supportive and collaborative business where their passion for food, the arts, and community organizing could flourish.

“The pandemic clearly demonstrates the value we place on spaces to convene that make us feel connected and part of a community – places where laboring people can go to relax and be joyful together,” said Ben Hunter. 

EDI, administered by the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD), was created to respond to the needs of marginalized populations, reduce disparities, and support access to opportunity in healthy, vibrant communities. The initiative is championed by community organizations concerned about displacement pressures and historical lack of investment that has occurred in communities of color in Seattle. EDI fosters community leadership and supports organizations to promote equitable access to jobs, education and childcare, outdoor space and recreation, cultural expression, healthy food, and other community needs and amenities.

“This pandemic has also revealed the structural inequity that has created unprecedented health and wealth gaps that have a staggering impact on BIPOC communities. Ensuring these communities thrive is our best investment in these uncertain economic times, and our partnership with Black & Tan Hall is one part of that effort,” says Sam Assefa, director OPCD.

Black & Tan Hall has hosted local and national touring musicians, pop-up brunches around Seattle, and a local history event in partnership with MOHAI. Most of Black & Tan Hall’s 33 investing partners live within one mile of the hall, and are active in anti-racism, anti-gentrification, and anti-displacement work in the community. 

Black & Tan Hall plans to open its doors in 2021.

Rico Quirindongo joins OPCD as deputy director

December 23, 2020 by Seattle OPCD

Noted Seattle architect and community leader Rico Quirindongo, AIA, is joining the Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development as its deputy director on January 11. Rico is with the international architecture firm DLR Group where he is the Civic Design Leader for the Northwest Region. For the past 25 years, Rico has been working to revitalize and reimagine Seattle historic landmarks and neighborhoods. He believes that through proactive design, vision, and multi-agency collaboration, opportunities for social change can be realized through community-invested civic projects.

Quirindongo works with organizations to positively influence communities through design and is committed to the betterment of his hometown, Seattle, through public engagement, design, and civic service. He is a recognized expert on civic projects and city-convened taskforces to create and execute processes for inclusive and authentic engagement. Projects of note include Northwest African American Museum, Climate Pledge Arena, outreach for Cal Anderson Park, Midtown Square in the Central District, and Imani Village housing, to name a few.

Quirindongo was most recently chair of the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority Council, a Downtown Seattle Association board member, and American Institute of Architects (AIA) Seattle Chapter President in 2012-13. Rico was recognized by AIA National as a Citizen Architect in 2020 and is a Northwest and Pacific Regional Representative on the national AIA Strategic Council. He is an annual contributor to the Seattle Design Festival, with emphasis on providing a stage for ideas championed by Black architects and benefitting neighborhoods with high risk of residential displacement. He has a deep interest in expanding community engagement with those who have historically been shut out of the planning process.

“We are so pleased that Rico will be joining us,” said Sam Assefa, OPCD director. “His passion for promoting social equity in the built environment, as well as his extensive experience in civic design through inclusive engagement, will deepen our work with community and help advance our mission to lead collaborative planning, advance equitable development, and create great places.”

“My focus on shaping the built environment has always been through the lens of equity,” said Quirindongo. “We must approach our community planning with the mindset of meeting people where they are and learning how to support their vision for the future of the city. Access to affordable housing for families at every income continues to be a critical issue. As we emerge from this global pandemic, we must better address the needs of the underserved, champion equity, and ensure that we invest in our neighborhoods such that we are supporting ALL communities, particularly communities of color.”

As deputy director, Rico will manage OPCD’s Community Planning, Long Range Planning, and Land Use Policy Divisions, help to align City planning functions and prioritize the City’s capital investments, expand cohesive community outreach strategies to reach traditionally underrepresented populations, and develop the department’s annual work program.

City of Seattle Releases I-5 Lid Feasibility Study

December 22, 2020 by Seattle OPCD

The City of Seattle has released a preliminary technical and financial feasibility study of extending the lid over I-5. The study contemplates options to cover the freeway between Madison Street and Denny Way, including structural analysis, funding models with public and private development, and a framework to maximize public benefits.

The I-5 Lid Feasibility Study was funded as part of the community benefits package from the Washington State Convention Center expansion project. The $1.5 million for the study was administered by Seattle’s Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD), which hired a consultant team led by WSP.

OPCD also convened a technical advisory team that included the Washington State Department of Transportation, which owns I-5, to guide the study process and provide input and review during the development of the study.

The study was funded and launched before the pandemic to explore options for increasing public open space, affordable housing, walking and biking connections, and other amenities, while reducing noise and air pollution associated with I-5. Three lid test cases were evaluated:

Maximizing open space, improved pedestrian and bike connections, and other public amenities.

Maximizing private contributions to lid construction with new offices, open space, and improved connections.

A mix of public amenities, affordable housing, and market-rate development to support lid construction.

The cost to cover the 0.8-mile stretch of I-5 would range between $966 million to $2.5 billion. Each scenario would require significant public investment, however the lid would bridge a connection between two neighborhoods that were split apart by the construction of I-5 in the 1960s, while creating up to 4,500 new homes and up to ten acres of parks space.

Currently, portions of I-5 are covered by Freeway Park and the convention center between Seneca Street and Pike Street. Recent successful lid projects in Dallas, Chicago, and Washington, DC have generated new interest in the concept in Seattle.

“This comprehensive and shelf-stable study will help guide decisions on redevelopment and repair options for I-5 as the State of Washington evaluates the future of the freeway,” said Sam Assefa, Director of the Office of Planning and Community Development. “I-5 is vital – and aging – infrastructure that both benefits and impacts our city. We will continue to work with the state, Downtown neighbors, and other partners as we develop shared near and long-term visions for the freeway and its vicinity.”

An advisory committee of Downtown stakeholders guided the study. The Department of Neighborhoods also conducted community outreach in surrounding neighborhoods to help prioritize potential public amenities. You may view the study here.

Seattle Receives $600,000 from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to Continue Community-Led Health, Equity, and Climate Change Adaptation Work in the Duwamish Valley

December 14, 2020 by Seattle OPCD

Funding will support the creation of a Resilience District focused on community and climate resilience

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has awarded the City of Seattle a $600,000 grant to work with community partners in the Duwamish Valley on a strategy that will improve health, increase community resilience, and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate. This work will specifically deliver on key actions identified in the City-community shared Duwamish Valley Action Plan that was released in 2018.

“This award is a remarkable testament to the excellent foundation of trust and creative solutions the City’s interdisciplinary Duwamish Valley Program and community partners have built over the past few years,” said Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. “We have seen that COVID-19 has magnified health and economic disparities, especially for communities of color. As we address the COVID-19 crisis and begin to recover, we must build a more equitable and resilient city. Through this collaboration, we can help advance a new model of how to address health, equity, and climate change for our residents and businesses.”

Funding from RWJF will support the City with developing a Resilience District—a geographic strategy, inspired by global models, focused on adapting to flood risk and other climate change impacts as a key first step towards adapting to a changing climate, while taking a comprehensive approach that fosters community resilience. Specifically, the award will fund detailed scenario planning for a sea level rise adaptation strategy, research of financial models and equitable investment mechanisms, capacity building and partnership development across government institutions and community stakeholders, extensive communication and inclusive engagement, and implementation of “proof of concept” projects. More importantly, the approach will center the participation and decision-making of Duwamish Valley residents and businesses, embed a racial equity approach in each aspect of the project, and identify sustainable funding sources and investment mechanisms that will help prevent the displacement of impacted communities and foster health and equity.

The project team reviewed successful models of community resilience and scenario planning from across the world. Specifically, the team drew inspiration and lessons from successful projects in Brazil, Puerto Rico, and New Zealand. These projects offer guidance and strategies for sustainable funding mechanisms, tools for equitable distribution of benefits, community and cross-sector collaboration in creating a special planning district, and participatory decision-making in scenario planning—notably in communities that are vulnerable to earthquakes and flooding.

“We join our partners in the City of Seattle to celebrate this great news,” said Paulina López, Executive Director of the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition. “For many years, we have worked together to address health disparities and racial inequities in the Duwamish Valley, centering the voice of community in decision-making, planning, and implementation of projects and investments—on issues that directly impact us. The work of this grant will also offer opportunities for equitable investments that will improve health outcomes and advance anti-displacement strategies, flooding prevention, and adaptation to a changing climate. I am really grateful for Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s award and commitment to greatly improve living conditions in our community and for their support to ensure this work becomes a model for others to replicate in Seattle, in the U.S., and around the world.”

The Office of Sustainability & Environment and the Office of Planning & Community Development lead Seattle’s Duwamish Valley Program, a multi-departmental effort to advance environmental justice and equitable development. The interdisciplinary team of 18 City departments is responsible for the ongoing implementation of the Duwamish Valley Action Plan, including the execution of this grant project. Seattle Public Utilities will also be taking on a leadership role in ensuring the success of the project.

“Since 2018, Seattle Public Utilities has been working with community partners to plan and design drainage and water management infrastructure to help alleviate stormwater-related flooding in South Park and Georgetown,” said Mami Hara, General Manager, Seattle Public Utilities. “However, as sea level rises, we will be challenged by overtopping of the Duwamish River, which will require additional mitigation. We are incredibly grateful for Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s support because it will allow us to lead with addressing needs and aspirations of Black, Indigenous and People of Color in Seattle’s lowest lying lands to begin long-term planning to adapt to sea level rise and other projected impacts from a changing climate.”

“Advancing equitable development and environmental equity in South Park and Georgetown has been a priority for the City of Seattle for years,” said Sam Assefa, Director of the Office of Planning & Community Development. “The Foundation’s support will allow us to expand this work by coordinating with industrial stakeholders working on the Seattle’s Maritime & Industrial Strategy. We are looking forward to helping our residential and industrial stakeholders stay and thrive in place despite projected climate change impacts.”

This project is part of a $3 million initiative from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to bring the most impactful ideas from across the globe to U.S. cities to address the intertwined issues of health, equity, and climate change. Through six projects funded through this initiative, RWJF is fostering learning and stimulating action in U.S. cities around smart, effective approaches from abroad that mitigate the unequal health risks posed by climate change.

Seattle to Provide Additional Flexibility to Faith Communities Seeking to Build Affordable Housing

December 2, 2020 by Seattle OPCD

State mandate championed by religious organizations requires cities to allow more income-restricted homes

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced today that the City of Seattle is partnering with the faith community to support the development of more affordable homes throughout the city. For decades, religious organizations have been leaders in building income-restricted housing in Seattle. To support these efforts and in response to a new state law passed in 2019, the City will allow churches, mosques, synagogues, and other faith institutions to build additional affordable homes on their property.

“Addressing our housing affordability crisis is paramount to creating a just and equitable City. Seattle’s faith institutions have long demonstrated their eagerness to step up and help address the city’s affordable housing and homelessness needs, and Seattle is creating an opportunity to make a generational impact on housing,” said Mayor Durkan. “Using new authority granted by the state, Seattle will continue to lead the way as one of the first cities in Washington to advance this important affordable housing tool. As we work to implement this bill locally, I’m grateful for the state legislators who worked over a number of years to pass this important bill. ”

For years, faith organizations have called for the creation of more affordable housing and advocated for City policies that support affordable housing development on their property as a strategy to address displacement, strengthen community ties, and maintain community ownership in their neighborhoods. Many religious organizations in Seattle are seeking to build affordable homes on their underutilized property—such as existing parking lots—and some are considering mixed-use developments that also include new spaces for worship or community service, childcare, or small retail spaces.

“After months of listening to church and community leaders through this complex time of pandemic, economic crisis, and reckoning around racism, it has become clear that many churches are looking at their land and buildings in a new light,” said Joey Ager, Lead Organizer for the Church Council of Greater Seattle’s King County Faith Land Discernment Cohorts. “How can we activate these assets for the common good?”

In 2019, the Washington State Legislature adopted Substitute House Bill 1377, which requires cities to grant religious organizations the ability to construct additional homes when developing affordable housing on their property. Seattle’s faith community was instrumental in the passage of the legislation. Several area faith institutions, including the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, which received conditional funding through the City’s 2020 Permanent Supportive Housing Pilot Investments, are considering new plans for developing long-term, income-restricted affordable homes on their land and hope to take advantage of the new state law. The Office of Housing and Office of Planning and Community Development began working with faith communities and affordable housing development partners throughout 2020, and Mayor Durkan will transmit legislation early next year to implement these changes.

The Nehemiah Initiative, which supports Seattle’s historically Black churches as they consider affordable housing and other community-driven development, has seen many congregations struggle to balance the desire to serve their communities with a need for financial stability. Donald King, Interim Executive Director of the Nehemiah Initiative, said, “The Nehemiah Initiative leadership and partners are excited to learn of the City of Seattle’s effort to be expeditious in response to the legislation recently passed from state bill 1377. We at the Nehemiah Initiative are expecting that the emerging land use policies will help make our affordable housing development as financially successful as possible.”

To implement this law at the local level, the City is developing a new tool that would allow religious organizations to increase the number of affordable homes they can build on their property. In mixed-use zones, these buildings could be slightly larger and taller and contain more income-restricted homes. On certain large sites in single-family zones, more flexibility could allow religious organizations to build various small-scale housing types, like affordable townhomes and income-restricted apartments, that meet the needs of families.

All housing developed with this new tool would be reserved for at least 50 years for low-income households with incomes under 80 percent of area median income (AMI) or about $88,000 per year for a family of four.

The Office of Planning and Community Development and the Office of Housing have been working with faith institutions and affordable housing developers for several months to learn how this new tool can support community goals and meet the requirements of the state mandate. The City is now asking other interested individuals and organizations to learn more about this process and provide feedback on policies under consideration. This one-page overview and narrated slideshow provide more background and detail.

Mayor Durkan announces $1.77 million to 36 organizations from Equitable Development Initiative Fund for COVID Response

November 17, 2020 by Seattle OPCD

Just days after announcing $5.65 million in awards through the Equitable Development Initiative (EDI) to community organizations for projects and programs that respond to displacement pressures, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan today awarded an additional $1.77 million to groups that are supporting communities of color and small businesses responding to the devastating economic dislocation caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The EDI fund, administered by the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD), was created to respond to the needs of marginalized populations, reduce disparities, and support access to opportunity in healthy, vibrant communities. The initiative is championed by community organizations concerned about displacement pressures and historical lack of investment that has occurred in communities of color in Seattle. Mayor Durkan proposed a sustained funding source for the program in 2019.

EDI fosters community leadership and supports organizations to promote equitable access to jobs, education and childcare, outdoor space and recreation, cultural expression, healthy food, and other community needs and amenities. These partnerships are designed to support leadership and build capacity building among the most historically marginalized groups in Seattle, sharing in decision-making and power, and working towards racial equity outcomes that allows all communities to thrive.

This year, the City is also awarding funds for COVID-19 relief and response to organizations working in communities of color to respond to the global pandemic and resulting economic disaster. The following 36 organizations are receiving one-time awards of up to $50,000 to support community-based responses to the current public health emergency:

ORGANIZATIONS FUNDED	SERVICES PROVIDED
ACED	Artist Income Supports
AlefBa Group	Community Center Feasibility
Backpack Academy	Youth STEM Education
Beacon Hill Council	Site Feasibility
Black Star Farmers	Environmental Justice
Central Area Collaborative	Job Training/Apprenticeship
Chinese Information Service Center	Anti-Hate Crime Support
Cultivate South Park	Community Organizing
Denkyem Coop	Financing for Entrepreneurs
Dominican Association of WA	Small Business Supports
Equity Alliance of Washington	Affordable Commercial Space
Eritrean Association of Greater Seattle	Youth Leadership Development
Freedom Project	Re-Entry Covid-19 Support
Garfield Superblock	Site Feasibility
Gathering Roots	Health and Wellness Programs
Horn of Africa	Childcare Infrastructure
I Do This For You	Senior Meals
Khmer Community of Seattle/King County	Community Center Feasibility
KVRU	Civic Infrastructure
Kwanzaa Preparatory Academy	Digital Literacy
Langston Center	Artist Income Supports
Muslim Housing Services	Housing Supports
Nehemiah Initiative	Site Feasibility
Nurturing Roots	Environmental Justice and Site Feasibility
Paradise Avenue Souf	Youth Leadership and Artist Support
Rainier Avenue Radio	Civic Infrastructure and Site Feasibility
Rainier Valley Food Bank	Food Access
Real Time Human Services	Varied Social Services
Rooted ReEntry Collective	Re-Entry Covid-19 Support
S2	Networked Support System
Somali Health Board	Site Feasibility
Tenant’s Union	Eviction Response and Tenant Organizing
Tiny Art House Community	Artist Supports
Union Cultural Center	Health and Wellness
Urban Impact	Financing for Business
Wa Na Wari	Site Feasibility and Artists Support

The previously announced $5.65 million in EDI awards to community-based organizations responding to displacement pressures was for site acquisition, major capital projects, and organizational capacity building.

The Office of Planning and Community Development is currently seeking representatives for a new permanent EDI Advisory Board grounded in community to provide ongoing guidance for the initiative and provide input on future funding decisions. Applications are currently being accepted through Nov. 30, 2020. An interim board provided recommendations on the awards announced today.

Since November 2016, OPCD and partner departments, including Office of Economic Development (OED), Office of Housing (OH), Department of Neighborhoods (DON), Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS), and Office for Civil Rights (OCR), have coordinated the administration of the EDI Fund. Successful applicants must demonstrate a deep relationship with the community they are seeking to serve and feature an inclusive community process, with community members serving in their organizational leadership.

New Statewide Restrictions on Social Gatherings and Businesses as COVID-19 Cases Surge

November 16, 2020 by Seattle OPCD

On November 15, Governor Jay Inslee issued new statewide restrictions on social gatherings and businesses in response to the surge of COVID-19 across Washington state. Seattle was the initial epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in America. Unlike the other Washington, every step of the way our local officials, residents, and businesses have understood how dangerous and deadly COVID-19 is to our communities. Following the advice of experts and public health officials, our collective actions have led to lowest cases and hospitalizations in the nation.

While Seattle has one of the lowest rates of cases of any major city, we are not immune to the virus surging in the nation, state, and region. Seattle’s cases and hospitalizations are skyrocketing.

During the first two weeks of November, Seattle had 1,550 residents diagnosed with the virus, which is nearly 20% of our total cases since March 2020.

The Seattle case count per 100,000 residents is more than five times higher than what it was at the end of the summer, rising from 40.8 cases per 100,000 residents to over 232 cases per 100,000 residents. Cases severe enough to require hospitalizations are four times higher than at the end of the summer, increasing from 1.3 hospitalizations per 100,000 residents to 6.1. The number of residents from Seattle currently in the hospital with COVID-19 has increased quickly over the past week and is the highest since April 2020. King County has seen a 70% increase in hospitalizations reaching the highest levels since March and April 2020. Members of the public can track the current level of COVID-19 in Seattle and King County on Public Health – Seattle & King County’s data dashboard. The dashboard is updated daily.

Governor Inslee and public health officials are rightfully raising alarm bells for surging cases and hospitalizations. Because of the latest hospitalizations and cases, Governor Inslee has imposed new statewide restrictions that will last until at least December 14, 2020. Please visit the state’s website for a full list of restrictions.

We know that people are hurting right now. This pandemic has led to worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the City of Seattle has worked quickly to launch COVID-19 relief programs including rent relief, expanding shelter for people experiencing homelessness, grocery vouchers for working families, direct cash assistance for immigrants and refugees, and financial assistance to small businesses. Residents and businesses can find a list of existing COVID-19 relief resources and policies on this website. Seattle will work with the state on a new $50 million fund for small businesses and workers.

As we head into the holiday season, our instinct is to come together and celebrate with our loved ones. But the reality is that out of public health necessity, this year’s holiday celebrations will look and feel different. It will be difficult, but we are at a crucial point in the pandemic when our actions will shape our ability to return to normal life in the months to come. Everyone who lives and works in Seattle must mask up, avoid gatherings especially all indoor social gatherings, and follow all public health guidance. It’s up to all of us to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect our friends, families, colleagues, and community.

Mayor Durkan Announces $5.65 Million to Community Organizations Through the Equitable Development Initiative

November 10, 2020 by Seattle OPCD

EDI organizations have secured more than $105 million in City-funded dollars since 2017 – Mayor signs property transfer to community ownership for Central Area Senior Center, 99-year lease for Fire Station 6

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced nearly $6 million in awards through the Equitable Development Initiative (EDI), part of the City’s effort to support Seattle’s existing residents and businesses in high displacement risk neighborhoods. The City awarded $4.4 million to community organizations for site acquisition and major capital projects and another $1.25 million is intended to provide capacity-building support to existing EDI partners providing services during the current pandemic and economic crisis. The awards to organizations led by and serving people of color will be used for organizational capacity building, property acquisition, and capital expenses. In addition to the $36 million in EDI funds awarded, these community-based organizations leveraged that amount to more than $105 million in City-funded dollars since 2017.

“To tackle the challenges of displacement, our City is investing in community-based organizations who are leading the way to empower and strengthen underserved communities and create economic vitality. The Economic Development Initiative has a strong record of creating the newest homes for our City’s residents, non-profits, and local small businesses through leveraging other city programs,“ said Mayor Durkan. “One of my most important priorities in this budget was to transform how the City invests in communities of color by centering the experiences of Black and Indigenous communities. Even in this difficult year, my budget set aside historic resources to meet the challenges of this moment and move us toward being the city we want to be when we come out of this crisis: stronger, more just, and more equitable.”

The EDI fund, administered by the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD), was created to respond to the needs of marginalized populations, reduce disparities, and support access to opportunity in healthy, vibrant communities. The initiative is championed by community organizations concerned about displacement pressures and historical lack of investment that has occurred in communities of color in Seattle. Mayor Durkan proposed a sustained funding source for the program in 2019.

“By hosting this important event we honor the priorities of our community members and the hard work they are doing to create the kinds of neighborhoods they want,” said Councilmember Tammy Morales, District 2. “In this environment especially, when Seattle is working on anti-displacement strategies and responding to the economic impacts of COVID-19, the nearly $6 million being awarded today will launch the kind of changes sought by organizations led by and for Black and Brown communities in neighborhoods like mine that are at high risk of displacement. I am proud of all the recipients today. I am especially grateful for the work of the Rainier Valley Midwives providing culturally relevant, holistic pregnancy care to a community with high infant mortality rates. Our community deserves medical care that centers their life experiences and celebrates their humanity. I’m excited that the Central Area Senior Center finally has control of their building so they can make the facility and grounds improvements they’ve been planning for so long. And I’m especially thrilled that a worn out building can be repurposed to make way for the development of the Food Innovation Center, which will create a healthy food industry in Rainier Beach, create job opportunities, and serve as a catalyst in a neighborhood that needs it most.”

“We are so grateful to receive $1 million from the Equitable Development Initiative,” said Tara Lawal of Rainier Valley Midwives. “It is giving us the momentum to build a community Birth Center of our dreams. Thank you for believing in us and supporting our vision to provide equitable healthcare in South Seattle.”

An interim board of community members provided recommendations to the City on the funding decisions announced today. The City is seeking representatives for a new permanent EDI Advisory Board grounded in community to provide ongoing guidance for the initiative and provide input on future funding decisions. Applications are currently being accepted through Nov. 30, 2020.

“When community members advocated for the creation of EDI, it was with the intention of creating collaboration between community-initiated projects and the City to respond to historical injustices and increase community-ownership,” said Ubax Gardheere, EDI division manager. “The transfer of these properties and EDI investments are all important contributions towards creating a more equitable City.”

Along with today’s award announcement, Mayor Durkan signed her ordinances, approved unanimously be the Seattle City Council, that transfers City property to Black-led community organizations in the Central District. The two ordinances permanently transfer the Central Area Senior Center (CASC) to community ownership and establish a 99-year lease with Africatown Community Land Trust (ACLT) for Fire Station 6, an EDI award recipient. These property transfers build on the September transfer to Byrd Barr Place, another Black-led advocacy organization. 

“In recent months, the City has proposed and passed the transfer of Black-led organizations including Byrd Barr Place, the Central Area Senior Center, and Fire Station 6 back to community. In recent weeks, the Sound Transit Board moved forward on transferring ten surplus properties in Rainier Valley to the City of Seattle at no cost, for 150 new affordable homes. Our City must make real on the promise of bold investments in the Black community and increasing community ownership of land. These places and organizations will uplift and support the Black community for decades to come,” concluded Mayor Durkan.

Fire Station 6 will be the future home of the William Grose Center for Cultural Innovation (WGC), where ACLT will provide small business assistance, skills training and celebrate Black/African American culture and history in the Central Area. The City has committed $1 million from the EDI fund for tenant improvements to Fire Station 6. As a valued community partner, Africatown Community Land Trust has received $15.5 million in city funding, since 2017.

“The proposed lease and reuse of Fire Station 6 as the WGC would directly carry and contribute to the EDI Wealth Building strategies and the accompanying EDI are critical to showing us a path forward, that our communities have solutions and that a more equitable Seattle is possible,” said Wyking Garrett, president and CEO of Africatown Community Land Trust.

CASC has served Central Area seniors since 1972, when it was founded as a nonprofit volunteer-supported organization. In 1975, the City purchased a facility in the Central Area where CASC continues to provide health and wellness, counseling, transportation, and meal services.

“CASC is ready, and eager to accept the transfer of the property to the community. The gentrification of the Central District and the movement of Black people out of Seattle has been quite evident within the City limits. However, there remains a core of institutions that Black people and those who are now seniors, travel far and wide to reach. CASC is one of these locations. It is a place of historical importance,” said Dian Ferguson, Executive Director of CASC. “We applaud Mayor Durkan for setting the stage for the transfer of this property to its rightful 50-year community-based partner. It advances a collective mission to move from business as usual to achieving real outcomes focused on equity with no strings attached to the seniors of our community and its African American founders.”

The following community-based organizations currently working with EDI on anti-displacement strategies and economic development opportunities will receive awards from the $4.4 million for site acquisition and major capital projects in 2020:

Africatown Midtown Plaza — $640,000

Africatown will create between 5,000 and 8000 sq ft of affordable commercial space for Black-owned businesses in Midtown Plaza. The project also includes 130 affordable homes and art that reflects the African-American heritage of the neighborhood.

Byrd Barr Place — $500,000
Byrd Barr Place has been operating out of the City’s surplus Fire Station 23. The City transferred ownership of the property to the organization in September and the additional funds will support improvements to the building. Completion of this project would renovate the 100+ year old building to meet contemporary ADA and environmental standards, allowing BBP to expand the services it provides.

Chief Seattle Club — $500,000
The Chief Seattle Club is renovating the Monterey Lofts above their current facility and adjacent to the site of their new facility. It is designed to support the physical, cultural, and spiritual needs of the American Indian and Alaska Native community, with indigenous designs, 80 affordable homes, services, health clinic, and a café/art gallery space in Pioneer Square.

Ethiopian Community in Seattle —$750,000

The Ethiopian Community in Seattle is redeveloping its existing community center to include 100 affordable homes, childcare, and commercial space. The awarded funds will be used to to finance construction expected to break ground next year.

Multicultural Community Coalition — $842,000

The Multicultural Community Coalition (MCC) will anchor several community organizations serving Seattle’s growing immigrant, refugee and people of color communities by creating a community-owned and operated co-working space and an essential Cultural Innovation Center (CIC). The CIC is envisioned as a vital heritage and cultural arts venue which will house year-round, cultural events and activities as well as serving as a Creative Economy space in which artists, cultural nonprofits, and creative small businesses will produce and distribute cultural goods and services that generate jobs, revenue, and quality of life.

Rainier Valley Midwives — $1 million
Rainier Valley Midwives has been operating out of a temporary location in the Rainier Valley Community Clinic that is becoming untenable due to escalating rents. The organization is working to acquire and build a permanent Birth Center in the Rainier Valley that will provide wrap-around services before, during, and after the birth process to people of color.

Wing Luke Museum — $168,000
The Wing is seeking to preserve the Homestead Home one block south of the Museum and to activate and develop its adjacent parking lot. This home is the most intact remaining single-family home in the Chinatown-International District, constructed in 1937 despite the Chinese Exclusion Act and discriminatory barriers to single family homes in the neighborhood. On the lot, the Wing intends to build 60 affordable apartments above a street-level community gathering space.

The following existing EDI partners will receive new capacity-building awards of up to $75,000 in 2020: Black & Tan Hall, Byrd Barr Place, Central Area Youth Association, Cham Refugees Communities, Chief Seattle Club, Duwamish Tribal Services, Duwamish Valley Affordable Housing Coalition, Lake City Collective, Friends of Little Saigon, Queer the Land, Rainier Valley Midwives, Rainier Beach Action Coalition, HomeSight, United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, Urban Black LLC, West African Community Council, and Wing Luke Museum.

Additional awards to new EDI partners will be announced later this fall, including organizations that are supporting communities of color and small businesses responding to the devastating economic dislocation caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Since November 2016, OPCD and partner departments, including Office of Economic Development (OED), Office of Housing (OH), Department of Neighborhoods (DON), Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS), and Office for Civil Rights (OCR), have coordinated the administration of the EDI Fund.

Projects were evaluated on their ability to positively impact several equity drivers, that lead to racial equity outcomes including:

Promoting economic opportunity through education, job training, and enhancing community cultural anchors.
Helping marginalized populations, businesses, and community organizations stay in their neighborhoods.
Enhancing health outcomes, access to healthy, culturally relevant food, and supporting safe environments.

Successful applicants demonstrated a deep relationship with the community they are seeking to serve and feature an inclusive community process, with community members serving in their organizational leadership.

Equitable Development Initiative Seeks Advisory Board Members

November 10, 2020 by Seattle OPCD

The Equitable Development Initiative seeks candidates for open seats on the Advisory Board. The Equitable Development Initiative Advisory Board is representative of the communities and people the that City aspires to serve through its Equitable Development Implementation Plan strategies and goals. Providing guidance and recommendations on the allocation of funding dedicated to reducing current and anticipated displacement pressures, supporting community-driven projects. Promoting access to opportunity for historically marginalized communities, including Indigenous, Black, people of color, immigrant communities, LGBTQ communities, and differently abled people within Seattle.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5:00PM November 30th, 2020

COMPENSATION: Yes

RATE: TBD

Those interested in applying should represent the following:

A geographic location that is of high risk for displacement and low access to opportunity as defined by the City’s Equity Analysis and Displacement Risk Index.
Neighborhoods that have already experienced significant displacement and histories of discriminatory policies or practices
Have lived experience with involuntary displacement from Seattle
Have lived experience being targeted by racially discriminatory policies and practices.

Board Members meet monthly & duties will include the following:

Elevating the voices and needs of communities that have historically been marginalized within the City’s political process.
Serving on a subcommittee to advise and assist the City in connection with the development and implementation of equitable development strategies and policies.
Developing funding criteria and create recommendations for the allocation of funds from the Equitable Development Initiative Fund.
Reviewing annual equitable development monitoring plans.
Written reports
Developing equitable development and anti-racist policies and practices to better help the City eliminate institutional and systemic racism.
Convening stakeholders to build knowledge of and capacity around equitable development goals.
Make appointment recommendations and evaluate letters of interest of individuals wishing to serve on the board to determine whether they meet the membership criteria.

If you are interested in serving on the EDI Advisory Board, please submit your application through the City’s Boards and Commissions website.

For more information, or to email a copy of your application and Statement of Interest: Michael Blumson at Michael.Blumson@seattle.gov or (206) 256-5974. You may also contact Patrice Thomas at Patrice.Thomas@seattle.gov or (206) 256-6203.

Mayor Durkan Applauds City Council’s Vote to Transfer the Central Area Senior Center and Fire Station 6 to Black-led Community Organizations

November 2, 2020 by Seattle OPCD

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan applauded the City Council’s unanimous passage of her proposed legislation to permanently transfer the Central Area Senior Center (CASC) to community ownership and establish a 99-year lease with Africatown Community Land Trust (ACLT) for Fire Station 6, two Black-led community organizations in the Central District. These property transfers build on the September transfer to Byrd Barr Place, another Black-led advocacy organization, and the first organization to complete the property transfer under the community requested criteria.

“We must continue to act with urgency to increase opportunities for our communities that have been historically held back, and working with community in recent years, we have been able to transfer properties in the Central District and Rainer Beach back to community. The Central Area Senior Center and Africatown will continue to provide much-needed services for the Black community,” said Mayor Durkan. “Building on the City’s work to transfer properties, stop displacement, and build more affordable housing, the Equitable Communities Initiative will provide $100 million in investments into communities impacted by systemic racism to promote true economic opportunity and equity across our City.”

Community leaders came to the City asking for a consistent transfer criterion for Mutual and Offsetting Benefit properties, where non-profit organizations lease or transfer City-owned properties due to the benefit of the services provided. Born from that request was the development and implementation of a consistent mutual and offsetting benefits transfer process.

“Mayor Durkan’s transmittal of legislation to the Seattle City Council for the permanent transfer of the Central Area Senior Center property back to the community and the Council’s vote affirming this transfer, ensures the vision of its African American founders and community partners keeping their promise to be good stewards to seniors and the community,” said Dian Ferguson, Director of Central Area Senior Center. “Collectively we celebrate our vision coming to fruition.”

“We’re excited to bring this important space back into service for the community. The William Grose Center for Cultural Innovation & Enterprise will provide space for cultivating the genius and connecting our community’s legacy of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship with the economic opportunities and growth that is happening in the region as a part of the global economy,” Said K. Wyking Garrett, President & CEO, Africatown Community Land Trust. “This is a testament to the resilience of so many community members that have contributed over the last eight years and we look forward to working with the city and many more partners to remove systemic barriers and build the solutions we need for an equitable Seattle. This is a step towards a better future.”

The Central Area Senior Center (CASC) and Fire Station 6 are in the heart of the Central District (CD), a community that has endured rampant displacement. In 1990 the CD had close to 60 percent black residents, today that number is closer to 25 percent. CASC has been a recreational home to Seattle’s African American elders, providing a social atmosphere that includes exercise programs, computer classes, recreational trips and more. Since 1975, the City has owned the Central building where CASC has called home. Fire Station 6 will be the future home of Africatown’s William Grose Center for Cultural Innovation, and will serve the community with small business assistance and skills training while celebrating the Black culture and history in the Central Area.

Byrd Barr Place and Africatown’s William Grose Center were each selected as part of the Equitable Development Initiative (EDI) receiving $1 million to upgrade facilities while on the path to ownership. The full list of EDI funding awardees is listed below. The EDI program was developed to fund capacity building and capital investments for community-based organizations working to address displacement pressures and supporting community health and vitality, and Mayor Durkan has proposed ongoing funding for this program. Since 2016, in total, $31 million has been provided to community organizations. In the coming weeks, the next $5.8 million in awards will be announced as part of 2020 awards.

EDI currently partners with 25 organizations: 

· African Women Business Alliance  

· Black and Tan Hall  

· Byrd Barr Place  

· Central Area Youth Association (CAYA) Community Center  

· Cham Refugee Communities  

· Chief Seattle Club  

· Daybreak Star Center  

· Duwamish Longhouse 

· Duwamish Valley Affordable Housing Coalition  

· Ethiopian Community in Seattle  

· Filipino Community of Seattle Innovation Learning Center  

· Wing Luke Museum Homestead Home 

· Hope Academy  

· Lake City Collective 

· Little Saigon Landmark Project  

· Midtown Center Africatown  

· Multicultural Community Center  

· Opportunity Center @ Othello Square 

· Queer the Land   

· Rainier Beach Food Innovation District 

· Rainier Valley Midwives Birth Center 

· Refugee and Immigrant Family Center 

· Urban Black 

· West African Community Center  

· William Grose Center for Cultural Innovation Africatown  

Last month, Mayor Durkan launched the Equitable Communities Initiative (ECI), to invest $100 million into Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities as part of the 2021 budget to address inequities caused by systemic racism and institutionalized oppression. This new investment, augments the City’s race and social equity investments that are ongoing.

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