The City of Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment (OSE) has partnered with MAKERS architecture and urban design, Environmental Works, and the local Georgetown community to develop a building design program for a new, community-owned and operated neighborhood center in Georgetown. The project is funded by the Green New Deal for Seattle. OSE has convened the Neighborhood Center Visioning Group (NCVG) - a collection of local residents who live and/or work in Georgetown - to help guide the effort. The NCVG includes representatives from the Georgetown Community Council, Equinox Studios, Georgetown Youth Council, and Georgetown Business Association.

 

OSE co-leads the Duwamish Valley Program (DVP), an interdisciplinary, place-

based effort focused on the neighborhoods of South Park and Georgetown to advance environmental justice and equitable development; address health and racial disparities; build

community capacity; create economic opportunity; and build trust in government. The DVP

produced the 2018 Duwamish Valley Action Plan, which identifies improving the access to and availability of community gathering spaces as a major focus area for Georgetown. 

 

The City does not anticipate operating a community center in Georgetown. As such, this building design program will be the first step to help Georgetown understand the broader context of bringing a neighborhood-owned center to fruition.