King County Council Creates Permanent Endowment for Youth Sports Facilities

Councilmember Larry Phillips -- Text Links on bottom of page

October 16, 2006

Property Sale Benefits Ballfields, Playgrounds and More

The Metropolitan King County Council today unanimously approved using the proceeds from the sale of the Johnson Building near the site of the old Kingdome to create a permanent endowment for the Youth Sports Facilities Grant (YSFG) fund.

Councilmember Larry Phillips, King County Parks Director Kevin Brown (back row, far left) and Steve Galey of Rainier Little League are joined by members of the Rainier Little League and Seattle Youth Soccer in front of the Johnson Building. Proceeds from the sale of the building will be used to create a permanent endownment for the Youth Sports Facilities Grant fund.

“This sale is a legacy of the Kingdome, and benefits families throughout King County,” said Council Chair Larry Phillips. “It’s fitting that proceeds from the sale of a building that was used to store athletic equipment will be used to fund the athletic dreams of young people throughout King County.”

The Johnson Hardware Building, located on 1st Avenue South, has been used by the County primarily as a storage facility for the Kingdome. When the Kingdome was demolished for construction of the new Seahawks Stadium, the County retained control of the property. The County has agreed to sell the Johnson building, and as part of a 1998 budget proviso sponsored by Councilmember Phillips, the proceeds from the sale will become part of a permanent endowment within the Youth Sports Facility Grant fund.

The Youth Sports Facilities Grant fund has been used to acquire, develop, operate and maintain youth sports facilities throughout the county. The program is funded and sustained through a quarter of one percent tax on car rentals. Organizations must match the grant money. Working in partnership with cities, school districts and nonprofit agencies, King County has awarded 213 grants since the creation of the YSFG in 1993 for uses ranging from ball fields, sports courts, climbing walls, playgrounds, rowing facilities, skate parks, mountain biking courses, gymnasiums, swimming pools and weight rooms.

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system.
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