Update on community-initiated projects and studies
The Seattle Park District Major Projects Challenge Fund (MPCF) initiative leverages Seattle Park District funding with community-raised matching funds to significantly expand the life and usability of a park facility, providing greater opportunities for people to make use of Seattle Parks and Recreation’s improved community facilities and parks. The first round of the community-initiated projects, announced in December 2016, provided small awards of $30 – $96,000 for feasibility and preliminary design work to help define the scope of potential future projects and awards to two construction projects with a total cost of approximately $2 million each. The MPCF awards were based on screening criteria that included equitable prioritization scoring matrix, and came recommended from the Seattle Park District Oversight Committee and confirmed by Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Superintendent Jesús Aguirre after a screening process of the 19 applications received. The MPCF allowed for projects/studies to be accomplished throughout the city. Recognizing that all communities are not equally able to provide matching funds, the initiative allowed for a portion of funding to be allocated to assist diverse communities and organizations that lack resources for a match.
The six completed studies are:
- Magnuson Community Center Architectural and Engineering Maintenance Evaluation Study
- INNOVA Architects completed the study and estimates renovation costs at $1.8 to $2 million.
- Magnuson Park Playfield Development Study
- DA Hogan & Associates completed a schematic field design and cost estimate. The preliminary project cost estimate is $4 + million.
- Daybreak Star Capital Needs Assessment and Facility Improvements Study
- INNOVA Architects completed the feasibility study and estimated project cost to be $4 million for short and long term needs.
- Madrona Bathhouse Theater Improvement Study
- INNOVA Architects completed the feasibility study and estimated project costs at $2.3 million
- Green Lake Small Craft Center Redevelopment Study
- Schacht Aslani Architects is completing study on the building and programming, and the study will be completed by the end of 2017.
- South Park Community Center, Playground and Playfields Renewal
- Broadview Planning and SPR planning staff conducted public outreach over 2017 with attendance at community events, and the community is encouraged to participate in this survey for South Park Community Center’s Major Challenge Fund Site Study https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SPCCStudy
The two construction projects include:
- Amy Yee Tennis Center, which is proposing to build an enclosure over the six existing outdoor courts that will be heated, lighted, secure, and programmable for tennis year-round. Currently these outdoor courts are only used during the summer months. The project will expand the capacity of the tennis center and enable it to offer more programs to more people. The tennis center is located at 2000 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. SPR has assigned a project planner; initial planning work has started and community outreach will begin in early 2018.
- Kubota Garden phased construction project, plus funding for a master plan. The first phase is the completion of the wall to the north of the Entry Gate along with accessibility improvements. The second phase involves an update to the master plan, additional wall work and other potential improvements. Kubota Garden is located at 9817 55th Ave. S.
SPR will be launching the second round of the Major Projects Challenge Fund in January 2018 with proposal letters due in March 2018. Funded projects must renovate, expand or upgrade parks or park facilitates with funding from a combination of City and community -generated funds.
For additional information, please contact David Graves at david.graves@seattle.gov or 206-684-7048 or visit http://www.seattle.gov/seattle-park-district/projects/building-for-the-future