Spring is definitely here. I'm amazed at how our grassroots effort to preserve Martin Luther King Elementary as a community arts-idea center continues to blossom.We'll be presenting a brief update on our progress at the next meeting of the Greater Madison Valley Community Council on Wed. April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bush School common room. Please join us!
Some new developments:
- The Department of Neighborhoods and the School District have started a School Use Advisory Committee process for MLK. This means a committee, including neighborhood representatives, will begin a several-month process of public meetings to gain input on what the community wants in any future use of MLK.
- An official at the school district indicated to us that the District will not move to sell or lease the MLK property to any entity until this SUAC process is complete.
- This means we've been granted time to organize, to make our voices heard and to decide what we as community want in in a gathering/creative/learning/arts space at MLK. To find out how you can help or to get updates on our progress e-mail me here.
- Our working group has begun to schedule meetings with School Board members and city council members to build support for a community arts center at MLK. City Councilman Richard Conlin is working to secure funds for a feasibility study. We've also met with the architecture firm responsible for the fantastic renovation of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, a former public school in West Seattle--and received great encouragement and advice.
1 comment:
I love the idea of a community arts center, but it is vital to include a public playground and/or some green space in our neighborhood. We have none closer than the Arboretum (swings), Madrona Park or Madison Park, which are not much closer than a mile away or across a busy intersection. Parks and playgrounds bring people together!
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