GivingGuide2019

SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019 | Special Advertising Section 1 R 18 The idea that our city’s historic places are impor- tant and deserve protection is decades in the making. In 1974, the City of Seattle established Historic Seattle as a citywide preservation and development author- ity (PDA), looking beyond a single building or specific neighborhood to ensure broader protection of places that matter. Since that time, Historic Seattle has worked tirelessly to save meaningful places that foster lively commu- nities. The organization currently owns and main- tains eight historic proper- ties across Seattle. These buildings served more than 225,000 people last year and provide a wide range of community benefits, including below-market-rate offices for dozens of non- profits, affordable housing, and arts and culture perfor- mance spaces. Its latest rehabilitation was of Washington Hall, in the Central District. Built in 1908 and nicknamed “The Hall for All,” the building has continuously served as a hub for cultural activities that reflect a broad array of ethnic communities and is a mirror of change in the Cen- tral District over time. Most notably, the Hall has served as a renowned performing arts venue, hosting legends like Marian Anderson, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Jimi Hendrix, W.E.B. Du Bois, Marcus Garvey, and many more. Threatened by develop- ment in 2009, Historic Seattle stepped in to save, purchase, and restore the property, investing nearly $10 million. Following the restoration, the Hall is now managed by Historic Seattle’s community-based anchor partners 206Zulu, Hidmo, and Voices Rising. Beyond property owner- ship, Historic Seattle also works to protect historic places through advocacy. When thousands of voices come together, it is clear that a place matters. Most recent- ly, more than 110,000 people have demanded that our city fight to #SaveTheShowbox. The generos- ity of GiveBIG donors, in fact, enabled Historic Seattle to jump in when The Showbox was threatened by a development plan to build a 44-story residential tower in its place. Historic Seattle knew they had to act, and immediately began working behind the scenes to create a landmark nomination, which normally requires months for consultants to prepare. Donors to the or- ganization’s spring advocacy campaign, held annually in conjunction with GiveBIG, enabled Historic Seattle to partner with Vanishing Seattle, Friends of Historic Belltown, and Northwest Ver- nacular to submit the nomination in just 10 days. The work didn’t end there. At a press conference to announce submission of the surprise nomination, Historic Seattle recom- mended additional policy proposals that could help save The Showbox. Because landmarking protects physi- cal space but not the use of the space, it was impera- tive to look for additional ways to help guarantee the building’s continued use as a thriving home to musical performance. Out of that necessity arose the effort to expand the boundaries of the Pike Place Market Historic District to include The Showbox. In just days, in front of a room packed with supporters wearing Showbox shirts, the City Council passed a unani- mous temporary expansion, allowing time to study the impacts of such an expan- sion as landmarks proceed- ings moved forward. As of now, Historic Seattle is awaiting a Landmarks Preservation Board nomina- tion meeting and the city has retained a consultant to begin studying a permanent GIVING GUIDE The power of place: Our city’s historic locations are important and deserve protection What do Pike Place Market, Washington Hall, and The Showbox all have in common? Each of these iconic places was threatened by demo- lition, but dedicated and passionate people fought back to save them. See Historic Seattle, page G19 “GiveBIG is a critical part of our work.” Kji Kelly, executive director Historic Seattle Serving children with special needs since 1979. www.ctckids.org MAINSTAGE - ACTING STUDIO - TOURING TAPROOTTHEATRE.ORG | BOX OFFICE 206.781.9707 | 204 N 85TH STREET, SEATTLE PROFESSIONAL THEATRE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD SETTING Celebrating 50 years of Preservation, Education and Inspiration Donate Today Keta Legacy Foundation P.O. Box 5749 Bremerton, WA 98312 Phone: 360-602-2362 Email: info@ketalegacy.org