Parks Opportunity Fund – urban park acquisition
The GCC and the Greater Greenwood Design and Development Advocacy Group have cooperatively submitted a proposal to acquire property at the SW corner of 85th & 1st Ave and develop it into an urban park.  The application is for acquisition only.  The design specifics (how it’s used) will be addressed through another grant application.  The general intent is to acquire and develop green space within the Greenwood Town Center per existing City and Neighborhood plans.

Supporting Documentation:
Opportunity Fund application

Related Links:
Seattle Parks Website

As Greenwood grows and property value increases, opportunities for public space will become more rare.  The park is seen as serving several important purposes including: Providing an important pedestrian circulation node and destination along an already identified Neighborhood Green Street; Providing an safe link between Greenwood Elementary and residences south of 85th with Sandel Park and commercial development to the north of 85th; Serving as a gathering space & urban park for patrons of local restaurants and retail stores; Providing an active urban space for neighborhood gatherings, markets and festivals.  How that happens is addressed through the design.

The application to the Seattle Parks Department was submitted April 2nd.  Over 100 applications were received by the Parks Department.  Those projects deemed top tier by the Parks Oversight Committee will have a chance to present their project.  There is $7 million available for this 2010 round of the Parks and Greenspaces Levy to be split among the projects selected by the Oversight Committee.  This includes park acquisitions and development.  More information can be found at the Seattle Parks website under “Related Links” at the top of this page.

This was an agenda item for the 2010 January, February, and March GCC meetings where we explained the process and asked for input before the application was due on April 2.  Attendees expressed support for the acquisition and offered some suggestions for potential uses.  There are no plans to vacate the alley though it was suggested by one of the attendees.  There is the possibility of expanding the park to the south parcels if owners are willing to sell, which would increase frontage along the Green Street and increase sun exposure and allow better visibility of the site.  Currently, this has not been discussed with those owners.  We will provide a updates at upcoming general membership meetings.