New community center for Rainier Vista possible

SEATTLE—March 7, 2005—The local Salvation Army office, supported by Seattle city officials, the Boys & Girls Club, and Seattle Housing Authority, submitted an application to the Western Territory of the Salvation Army to hopefully secure an extensive new community center at Rainier Vista. The Salvation Army received a $1.5 billion bequest from the Ray and Joan Kroc Foundation to construct and support community centers across the country. Ray Kroc established the McDonald’s restaurant chain; both he and his wife had a passion for children and families.

“This is an incredible possibility for our community,” SHA Executive Director Tom Tierney said. “It may be a long shot for us, but if Rainier Vista is selected for a Kroc Center, I am convinced that both our residents and the surrounding neighborhood will enjoy and benefit greatly from the results.”

Aerial view of Rainier Vista with the proposed Kroc Community Center site outlined

The Kroc bequest could provide as much as $30 million for construction of the new center, plus an additional $30 million which would be set up as an endowment to support its on-going operation.

If Seattle and Rainier Vista are selected, the new community center would provide recreational, educational, and cultural opportunities for the residents of the area. The facility could include swimming pools, gyms, fitness facilities, classroom space and/or art, music and drama facilities. The local office of the Salvation Army has been in discussion with the Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club. The new Boys & Girls Club already planned for Rainier Vista would be incorporated into this new center.

No decisions about how spaces in the new center would be used have been made yet. These decisions will be made if the Seattle site is selected. In that event, the Salvation Army will want to hear from the area citizens as to what they would like /need in a center like this one. The Salvation Army does not intend to duplicate or compete with other services and providers in the area.

The addition of the Kroc center to the Rainier Vista redevelopment, if it happens, will require some changes to the Rainier Vista redevelopment plan. Any changes will be discussed with the Community Review Committee and the residents of the neighborhood (both SHA residents and others). In fact, the possibility of a Kroc Center at Rainer Vista has already been discussed with the CRC at their last two meetings.

The possible addition of the Kroc center does not change Seattle Housing Authority’s commitment to create 481 units of low-income housing, both on- and off-site, to replace the 481 units that were at Rainier Vista prior to the start of redevelopment.