Overview $30,000 Community Challenge Long Term Vision
Blue Building Renovation Donors Donate Now!
Thirty years ago, in October 1981, a closed elementary school began a new life as the Phinney Neighborhood Center. Since then, thanks to the support and involvement of the community, the Phinney Neighborhood Center has become the cornerstone of Seattle's Phinney/Greenwood neighborhood, offering diverse activities, programs and services open to anyone in the region.
In early 2008, the Phinney Neighborhood Association launched a Capital Campaign to purchase the campus from the Seattle School District and make long overdue repairs and improvements to this much-loved historic landmark.
Our vision is to create a living, sustainable, enduring space that allows people of all ages and abilities to gather together and share their lives, ideas and experiences, creating a sense of belonging and a deeper commitment to our community.
In addition to securing ownership, the Campaign focuses on improved accessibility, enhanced gathering spaces, and updated systems for safety and security throughout the site, while preserving the historic character and integrity of the buildings. In keeping with our values of environmental stewardship, we've also challenged ourselves to make all of these improvements at the highest level of sustainability possible. |
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| Brick Building Roof Repair |
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Accomplishments so far
To date, our Community Begins Here Capital Campaign has raised $5.2 million which has allowed us to:
- PURCHASE the Phinney Neighborhood Center Site - a long-term dream come true!
- Repair the roof of the 1917 Brick Building, reusing 70% of the original slate tiles
- Install a dual use burner in the Brick Building boiler which allows us to use either biodiesel or natural gas
- Repair the main sewer line between the two buildings
- Insulate the 1904 wooden Blue Building
- Hire Mithun architects to create a conceptual design of an elevator and new entryway addition for the Blue Building
- Create a plan that will guide our ongoing sustainability efforts both in any capital projects and in our day to day operations.
Jeannette Miss had an opportunity to enjoy the PNA Summer Beer Taste - thanks to a little help from the Beer Taste Committee. |
Next Phase - Safety and Accessibility
Now that we have completed much needed repairs and infrastructure improvements, our next goal is a fully accessible Phinney Neighborhood Center that will be able to safely serve all of our community members. Although the long term vision includes accessibility improvements to the Brick Building, for now we are concentrating our efforts on the Blue Building, including:
- An elevator that will make all three floors accessible to all community members
- Seismic retrofitting to ensure that it will survive any future earthquakes
- An improved entryway and small entry plaza in the parking lot
We are hopeful that we can begin construction in early 2012.
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