Goal: Increase arts and cultural opportunities and programs that reflect the Rainier Valley’s diverse population and enhance public space

1. Increase investment in arts and cultural activities – City, through the Department of Neighborhoods and Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, will:

Promote Local Arts and Culture -- Increase promotion of Southeast Seattle as destination place for its dynamic arts and cultural scene.

Support the Arts – Provide support to SEED’s Public Art Workshop ‘PAWS’ program that will result in two public art dedications in Southeast Seattle.

Expand Partnership with Arts – Expand its partnership with SEED to help revitalize the Southeast Seattle Arts Council ‘SESAC.’

Target Outreach of Arts – Conduct targeted outreach of its program to ensure Southeast Seattle residents, artist and organizations have full opportunity to participate in the City’s programs.

Public Investment in Arts – Assure that Sound Transit’s investments in arts are effectively spent in Southeast Seattle.

2. Promote Southeast Seattle arts and culture – Use art and cultural programming / events to highlight the community’s rich ethnic diversity (Department of Neighborhoods and Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs):

Celebrate Cambodia – Provided $9,000 to provide cultural enrichment activities for Cambodian youth and their families to preserve and share the Cambodian community’s rich traditions and strengthen relations between the generations. Activities will culminate in Celebrate Cambodia, a celebration of Cambodian cultural heritage at the Seattle Center in August 2005.

Community Information and Empowerment – Provided $6,940 to for community events and educational workshops that will take place at the recently completed community center.

Mercer Community “Words of Wisdom” -- Provided $15,000 to teach middle school youth interview techniques to collect cultural stories from ethnic communities and produce a book to be distributed to participants and an outdoor “Words of Wisdom” art piece.

2005 Cultural Celebrations – Provided $11,150 highlight Southeast Seattle’s rich ethnic diversity.

Rainier Beach Performance Showcase – Provided $13,000 to assist with a semi-annual event that will involve performances by students and amateur/professional community members and increase the use of the Paul Robeson Theater at Rainier Beach High School.

Family Stories: Disability and Culture – Provided $11,265 to tell family stories of people with disabilities.

3. Expand Van Asselt Community Center – City will provide $3.9 million to expand the Van Asselt Community Center by 6,000 square feet. Construction to start in 2005, with completion expected in early 2006. (Seattle Parks and Recreation, Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, and Department of Neighborhoods)
   
4. Develop the Chief Sealth Trail – City will construct the initial segments of the Chief Sealth Trail in Southeast Seattle. The trail will provide off-road opportunities to walk or bike between Beacon Hill and Seattle’s southern boundary ‘Rainier Valley.’ Construction of initial segment expected to be completed in 2006. (Seattle Parks and Recreation, Seattle Department of Transportation, Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, and Department of Neighborhoods)
   
5. Improvements to Columbia Park – City will provide $309,000 for landscaping and other improvements to Columbia Park on Rainier Avenue. (Seattle Parks and Recreation)
   
6. Improvements to John C. Little Park – City will provide $515,000 for improvements to the John C. Little Park that includes a plaza, paths, a water play feature, picnic facilities, and a small community garden. Construction to be completed in 2006. (Seattle Parks and Recreation and Department of Neighborhoods)
   
7. Improvements to Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park – City will provide $475,000 for improvements to Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park. The project will include accessibility, park benches and picnic tables and landscaping improvements. Construction to be completed in 2005. (Seattle Parks and Recreation)
   
8. Acquisition of land for open space – City will expand the Kubota Gardens Natural Area through the acquisition of one or more parcels in 2005. (Seattle Parks and Recreation)
   
9. Improvements to Mapes Creek Walkway – City will improve the Mapes Creek 52 nd Avenue Walkway. Improvements may include landscaping, lighting, paving, signs, or other priority items identified in the Mapes Creek 52 nd Avenue Walkway Plan. Construction expected to be completed in 2005. (Seattle Parks and Recreation)
   
10. Improvements to Rainier Beach Community Center Plaza – City will be constructing a plaza for public gathering near the Rainier Beach Community Center, along with 300 feet of shoreline restoration. Construction expected to be completed in 2006. (Seattle Parks and Recreation, Arts and Culture, and Department of Neighborhoods)
    
11. Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center – City will provide $2.5 million in support for construction of a Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center in the Rainier Vista neighborhood (MLK Jr. Way and S. Alaska). The proposed community center would provide a state-of-the art recreational, educational and arts facility designed to meet the needs of Southeast Seattle residents and residents on a regional basis. (Office of the Mayor)
    
12. Acquire Property for Hillman City P-Patch – City has will spend $190,000 to property necessary for the long-term sustainability of the Hillman City P-Patch. (Department of Neighborhoods)