The Seattle City Council’s Parks and Seattle Center Committee voted 3 - 0 today, April 14, to authorize $24.2 million to begin construction on 29 projects designated for funding from the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy.

The $24.2 million, which represents the first installment of $145 million in levy funding approved by Seattle voters last November, will target development and renovation projects that can quickly move from the final design to construction phase, thereby enabling the city to leverage the levy to create jobs and stimulate the local economy, according to a release from the city.

“The parks levy was proposed a year ago by the council and community groups to support major parks improvements,” said council member Tom Rasmussen, Parks and Seattle Center Committee chair. “Today, most other park’s fund-sources have declined sharply because of the economy. The levy revenue comes just in time to keep people working. Seattle citizens are getting a two-fold benefit from their tax dollars.”

“It’s fortunate that the council and Seattle voters had the vision to make the Parks and Green
Spaces Levy a reality for two big reasons,"council president Richard Conlin said. "Creating jobs sooner rather than later will undoubtedly have a positive impact locally. And in hard times, people use their local parks more, so the community benefits are also great.”

This spring, the city will hold a series of public information workshops to review the levy’s overall goals, share the individual projects funded by the levy, and discuss the process for administering
the levy’s "opportunity fund."

One project that will receive levy funds is the Seattle Children’s PlayGarden at Colman Park. The organization, which provides a safe, outdoor environment for children with physical and mental disabilities, is receiving $950,000 to complete a new pavilion and renovate the old onsite playground shelter house.

“The PlayGarden is a safe haven for children with special needs, but it is in need of significant
improvements” said Dr. Abraham Bergman, executive director of Children’s PlayGarden. “The levy funding will enable us to make those improvements and serve even more children who come to us from all over the region for a safe place to play.”