information from District 1 City Councilmember Lisa Herbold

I know how eagerly the community has been awaiting news of the timeline for completing a significant stabilization project at Hiawatha Community Center. 

HIAWATHA COMMUNITY

CENTER STABILIZATION FAQ

The work was initially delayed by the pandemic, and then by new, federal “Buy American” guidance for infrastructure projects seeking FEMA funding, which put a hold on all pending sub-grants, including Hiawatha.  I provided significantly more detail about the federal delay here and advocated with Representative Jayapal’s office at the time to get this project moving again.

Last fall, we learned the project had been granted a waiver from the federal guidance, which made it possible for FEMA to consider the $500,000 grant application.  This week, we learned from Seattle Parks & Recreation (SPR) that FEMA has awarded Hiawatha the $500,000 grant!  This makes it possible for SPR to move forward with bidding this spring and begin construction in May.  I know this news will be welcome to the many community members who have missed their local community center.  While the project webpage has not yet been updated, you can learn more about the planned work here.