April 18, 2006
New sidewalks, artwork another step in the right direction for White Center
King County Executive Ron Sims, Sheriff Sue Rahr, and County Councilmember Dow Constantine today joined with community organizations, business owners, local youth leaders, and the public to celebrate the completion of new sidewalks in the White Center Business District. The sidewalks incorporate artistic metal inlays that "welcome" visitors to the community in over 45 languages.
"Together, we are laying the foundation for a safe, walkable, vibrant, and prosperous business district and creating an environment that will improve the quality of life for residents in White Center for years to come," said Sims. "It is amazing what can be accomplished when communities believe in a better future."
The sidewalk improvements were embraced by community organizations as an opportunity to enhance streetscapes and use public art to tell the story of White Center.
"The most effective tool in fighting neighborhood crime is the involvement of the community. This effort is a strong statement from the residents of White Center about taking back the streets of their neighborhood," said Sheriff Sue Rahr.
In addition to the "welcome" inlays, Teens Creating Tomorrow Youth Council, the visionaries behind the art, worked with local designers Judith and Daniel Caldwell to create art pieces that look like coins from throughout the world, a decision that reflects both the current diversity of the community, as well as its history – White Center was originally named as the result of a flip of the coin.
"I worked hard to get this project funded because, during a time when we're discussing this area's future governance, I think King County should make significant investments to continue White Center's revitalization and make it even more attractive to a potential annexing city," said Councilmember Dow Constantine. "The 16th Avenue Southwest corridor is the neighborhood's front doorstep and I'm proud to see how good this corridor looks, especially with the addition of the sidewalk artwork."
The celebration was coordinated by the White Center Clean and Safe Committee, a working group including representatives from the King County Sheriff, White Center Community Development Association, White Center Chamber of Commerce, North Highline Unincorporated Area Council, Seattle Neighborhood Group, King County, and the City of Seattle.
In addition to the new sidewalks, visitors to White Center will notice changes to improve access and pedestrian safety in the business district including new curb ramps and intersection bulb outs as well as reconfigured back-in parking orientation.
The $1.1 million sidewalk improvement is a component of King County's White Center Community Enhancement Initiative announced by Executive Sims and Councilmember Constantine in September 2005. The initiative includes nearly $15 million of new actions and investments to create a more walkable, safe environment for residents; encourage private commercial and residential investment, and increase public safety. More information on the White Center Community Enhancement Initiative is available, at www.metrokc.gov/exec/whitecenter/.
Upcoming opportunities to participate in a clean and safe White Center include:
Clean and Safe Meeting
April 27, 6-8 p.m. (and every 4th Thursday of the month)
St. James Place
Contact Kathy Kaminski, Seattle Neighborhood Group, for more information at 206-767-0760, or kathy@sngi.org.
3rd Annual Spring Clean
May 20, 2006
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Downtown White Center
Contact Cynthia Linder, White Center Community Development Association for more information at 206-694-1082, or cynthia@wccda.org.
Judith and Daniel Caldwell design and fabricate in cast bronze, iron, aluminum, and stainless steel, creating decorative elements for floors, walls, lighting fixtures, fountains, tree grates, grillwork, and freestanding sculpture. More information about their artwork is available online, at www.caldwellhotmetal.com.