Remembering a Public Servant
In March of 2025, Seattle lost an important public servant, Frank Chopp, who represented Washington’s 43rd legislative district for three decades. A look through his memorial website shows dozens and dozens of stories about his remarkable legacy – lives he touched, communities he strengthened, buildings he secured for public use, and the affordable housing he tirelessly advocated for.
Frank’s impact on the Phinney Neighborhood Association (PNA) is a story of how things get done: through negotiation, communication, and strategic thinking.
His consistent contributions reflect how deeply he cared about improving our city, strengthening social services, and ensuring we leave something meaningful for future generations.
The Early Days of the PNA
Back in 1978, the Phinney Ridge Community Council received a $200,000 Community Development Block Grant to be used between 65th and 75th Streets, from Aurora to 3rd Avenue NW. Through door-to-door canvassing, surveys, and visioning sessions, the community identified its priorities, with a neighborhood center topping the list. A steering committee was formed and on March 7, 1980, the Phinney Neighborhood Association was incorporated as a nonprofit under Washington State law, receiving 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status. The PNA was born.
Also identified during those info-gathering opportunities was the need for senior transportation. That project became the NW Transportation Van Service, providing free rides for seniors, ultimately evolving into today’s city-wide Access Program. It was on the NW Transportation Van Service Advisory Board in the early 1980s where Ed Medeiros, PNA’s founding Executive Director, met Frank Chopp.
Expanding into Social Services
In 1998, Frank’s organization—the Fremont Public Association, a social service agency now known as Solid Ground—handed over its Hot Meal Program at St. John United (SJU) to the PNA. This marked the PNA’s first expansion into direct social services.
Nearly three decades later, the PNA continues to run the Hot Meal Program, serving nourishing meals three times a week to anyone who walks through the doors of the light-filled dining room at SJU. In 2024, the Hot Meal Program served over 21,000 meals!
Frank Chopp, around 1978, as Chair of the Fremont Public Association, now known as Solid Ground.
Saving the Allen School
Frank’s most impactful contribution came when the Seattle Public Schools (SPS) decided to sell the John B. Allen School property (also known as the iconic “Blue Building” on 67th and Phinney Ave.).
The Allen School was one of 20 schools closed by the district in 1981. That same year, the PNA moved into the Blue Building and reopened it as the Phinney Center. The PNA’s relationship with SPS lasted for the next 28 years–first as managers of the facilities, then as lessees.
Then, in 2009, the oppoSavingrtunity to purchase the building outright emerged.
When SPS decided to sell, they priced it at market value—about $10 million. In a strategic move, the PNA began the process of landmarking the property, which ultimately reduced the price to $3.5 million. Landmarking also made the site undesirable to developers, who wouldn’t be able to alter the buildings.
“We can’t even change the windows without approval from the landmark board,” Ed noted. “But we didn’t want to change the buildings. We just wanted to keep using them as they were.”
Still, the sale presented a challenge: how to raise the money?
A Fateful Conversation
At a salmon bake fundraiser at the Indian Cultural Center in Discovery Park, Ed ran into Frank’s wife, Nancy Long, recently retired Executive Director of 501 Commons. He shared that the school building was finally for sale, but the PNA had never launched a capital campaign before and wasn’t sure how to fund the purchase.
Nancy’s response: “Talk to Frank.”
And so Ed did. Frank said, “I think we can help,” and promised to send someone to gather more details. That was on a Saturday. By that Monday, a staffer from Frank’s office was at the PNA. Frank ultimately helped secure state funding to support the purchase of five former SPS school properties for community use:
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- Allen School
- University Heights
- Crown Hill School
- Fauntleroy School
- Martin Luther King School
“The thing that inspired him was figuring out how to transfer money from the state to the district,” Ed explained. Frank became a key negotiator, knowing the PNA was doing strong work and wanting to support it. He brought together the state, SPS, and the City of Seattle to make the deal happen.
Between state and city funds, the PNA was able to purchase the Allen School. Frank also saw the transaction as a broader fix—“a win-win,” Ed said—because SPS gained monetary resources, and the community gained access to community centers and childcare facilities. At the PNA, Ed reflected, “Purchasing the building meant permanence.”
“Frank was the person responsible for purchasing the property,” Ed shared. “I don’t know that we would have gotten it without him – not just the money, but the negotiating ability, working with the district, and City of Seattle to keep them engaged with their contribution.”
A Legacy of Permanence
Frank’s legacy lives on through the social justice, housing, and social service improvements he championed throughout his career in both nonprofit leadership and the legislature.
As we face the challenges and opportunities of our time, it’s powerful to look back and remember how this all started and why: to be inspired. And to understand that strong community does not happen by accident. We recognize the commitment, investment, and brilliance of those who came before us as we work to secure the future we imagine.
Inspired by Frank’s legacy? Give today to help the PNA continue building community brick by brick, meal by meal, and moment by moment.
Our Goal: $100,000 Help us get there!
The Power of Community: Legacy Makers fundraiser supports the full breadth of PNA’s work – from the Greenwood Senior Center, Memory Loss, and Village programs to community meals and community spaces like the Phinney Center Campus and beyond. Your generosity helps us continue creating welcoming places and meaningful programs for all neighbors at every life stage.
