This is a very exciting time for the High Point Community. As you have already seen, renovations are well under way. This letter is to update you on the progress we have made and the process we plan to implement related to the development of a neighborhood center for the High Point community. Over the last few years, we made several attempts to convene a group to help determine the future of social services in the new High Point community. Through these experiences, we have learned a great deal about the importance of involvement, as well as clear expectations around the realities of building a building. With that in mind, we wanted to share with you where we are at in the planning process.

BACKGROUND

The redevelopment Master Plan for High Point includes a site for development of a Neighborhood Center. The site, located at 32^nd Place SW (new street configuration) between SW Holly and SW Morgan adjacent to the central community park, is large enough for a facility of 25,000 to 30,000 square feet with required parking.  The Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) will donate the land (estimated value $1.5 million) and contribute an additional $1.5 million toward construction of the Neighborhood Center . 

We envision the Neighborhood Center as a focal point for the social life of the community. As such, it will house community meeting and gathering spaces; youth recreational activities; child, youth and adult educational programs (i.e., Head Start, ESL, tutoring, etc); and a small amount of retail space (perhaps even a coffee shop).  Consistent with other aspects of the High Point project, we will build the facility with an eye to sustainability, employing “green” building techniques and seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

SHA has never been interested in being the sole developer and owner of the facility and has actively sought community partners. That search has resulted in a proposed collaboration of SHA and Neighborhood House, under the fundraising auspices of the Campus of Learners Foundation, the original fundraising entity used for the neighborhood campus in NewHolly. 

Roughly $5 million will be needed to develop and construct the Neighborhood Center. The $1.5 million cash contribution from SHA still leaves a capital need of $3.5 million. The goal will be to raise the funds through a capital campaign spearheaded by the Campus of Learners Foundation. We hope to present the project to a joint gathering of corporate/foundation donors, making the appeal that it represents the collaborative fundraising efforts of multiple service providers who have chosen to co-locate, thus minimizing development/operating costs and duplication of funding requests. 

A major goal of the project is to minimize the impacts on operational fundraising for each of the partner agencies. And while we will pursue any opportunity for long-term operating support, planning for the Center will assume that lessees will pay a per square foot cost (current estimate of about $12/square foot) that will cover the cost of operating and maintaining the facility (i.e., utilities, janitorial service, facility maintenance, and common area costs). 

The balance of this letter describes the pre-development planning process, highlighting the opportunities for your participation and input into plans for the new Center. Both SHA and Neighborhood House are committed to pursuing a process that: 1) is inclusive, 2) provides those organizations that are interested in locating in the Center with adequate opportunity, and assistance, to assess their space needs and related leasing costs, and 3) allows for the participation of partner agencies in the planning of the facility. 

PREDEVELOPMENT PLANNING PROCESS

SHA and Neighborhood House have identified the following objectives for the planning process:

•        Define the core values to be expressed in the operation of the new Neighborhood Center

•        Identify and communicate with interested agencies whose programs express those values and who are able to participate in the development and operation of the Center

•        Engage those agencies in predevelopment activities to produce schematic design drawings and development/operating budgets

•        Develop an ownership/governance structure for the facility

•        Secure preliminary commitments for leasing/purchasing space 

Nikki Parrott of Huckell/Weinman Associates has been hired to staff the planning process. Nikki has extensive experience with similar redevelopment projects and is also working on the development of community facilities in Rainier Vista and in the White Center community.

SHA and Neighborhood House will jointly appoint a High Point Neighborhood Center Advisory Committee (HPNCAC). HPNCAC will provide the forum for: 1) service providers and the broader High Point and West Seattle communities to identify core values and essential services that should be represented in the Neighborhood Center, and 2) ongoing community review and discussion as development of the facility proceeds. 

Nikki and Environmental Works will assist identified agencies that embody the core values, provide essential services, and have the financial capacity to lease space to jointly develop a program document for the facility and prepare schematic drawings. Nikki will also prepare development and operating budgets, research and evaluate ownership/governance structures, and prepare a final report that summarizes the planning process and outcomes. We will share the information developed through the process with the HPNCAC for their review and comment. The process is envisioned to take about six months.

NEXT STEPS

As a first step, Nikki will be creating an inventory matrix of the services currently provided in and around High Point. She will be contacting the various service agencies to catalog services being provided. This information will be the basis for the initial conversation with HPNCAC and service providers about core values and essential services. She will begin making the contacts within the next week or two. 

Please feel free to contact either of us (Tom Phillips 206.615.3414 or Mark Okazaki 206.461.8430, ext. 240) if you have questions, comments, or would like additional information. We are looking forward to working with you.

Sincerely, 

Tom Phillips

Mark Okazaki

Seattle Housing Authority

Neighborhood House

High Point HOPE VI Manager

Executive Director