Proposed community center fits new vision for Rainier Vista

In hopes of transforming Rainier Vista from a World War II-era housing project to a diverse development of mixed-income residents, Seattle political leaders are teaming with the Salvation Army to propose building a $30 million community center in Southeast Seattle.

The recreation, education and arts facility that's envisioned would be located on seven acres within Rainier Vista, near the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Way South and South Alaska Street. The Seattle Housing Authority, city taxpayers and Boys & Girls Clubs of King County all would contribute to the project.

But the Northwest Division of the Salvation Army would take the lead in trying to tap a $1.5 billion gift that the late Joan Kroc, wife of the founder of the McDonald's restaurant chain, gave to the organization to build such centers across the country.

"A Kroc Center would be a tremendous shot in the arm to the community because of all the elements it would possibly bring. It would do a great deal for Rainier Vista and bring a lot more people here," said Bill Burton, who was born in Rainier Vista and is executive director of the Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club.

Although the community center's programs and features have not been finalized, it must include recreation, education and cultural arts to qualify for a Kroc Center grant.

The prototype Kroc Center opened in San Diego in 2002. It includes an ice arena, gymnasium, three swimming pools, sports field, rock-climbing tower, skateboard park, fitness area, performing-arts theater, library and computer lab.

Kroc Center grants are distributed so that half of the money goes for construction, while the other half is put in an endowment to pay for operations. Salvation Army Major John Chamness said the Seattle proposal envisions a center that would cost at least $30 million to build.

The proposal faces regional competition from Tacoma and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. If Seattle beats those cities, then it stands a good chance of snagging a grant because it is likely the Salvation Army's Northwest Division — which covers Washington, northern Idaho and western Montana — would receive one.

"Based on what I hear, we probably have a 70 percent chance of succeeding," said Daniel Johnson, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County.

Leading players in Seattle's proposal believe Rainier Vista is a compelling site. The 481-rental-unit project is undergoing a sweeping $180 million makeover that started last year.

Seeking to take advantage of Sound Transit's new 14-mile light-rail line from Tukwila through Rainier Valley to downtown Seattle, the housing authority plans to build 1,010 apartments and houses on the 65-acre property. They include 500 homes for purchase, with 200 of those dedicated to low-income buyers and 300 for the general public.

The light-rail line will run on Martin Luther King Jr. Way South, through Rainier Vista. A light-rail station would be built just a block from the proposed community center.

The housing authority aims to reinvent Rainier Vista as a development devoid of the stigmas attached to housing projects for the poor. A Kroc Center would help that effort, said Virginia Felton, spokeswoman for the housing authority.

"One of our goals is to break down barriers between Rainier Vista and surrounding neighborhoods. One way to erase the idea that Rainier Vista is just an enclave for low-income housing is to have a community center that would bring all sorts of folks into Southeast Seattle and provide great services to them," Felton said.

Seattle Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis said that aspect of the Emerald City's application makes it particularly strong.

"We've got the perfect community for the Kroc criteria. It's extraordinarily diverse, not just ethnically but economically," Ceis said.

Chamness, of the Salvation Army, said Southeast Seattle has great demographics for a potential center. He also said the area seemed to have a real need for such a facility because there are few adult fitness centers in the area and no nearby public swimming pools.

"I think we have a very good story, one that's tough to beat. It would help bring together investments in light rail, Rainier Vista redevelopment and the Boys & Girls Club," said Johnson.

That's not to say there are no concerns about a proposed Kroc Center. Felton says it calls into question how the housing authority can fit all 1,010 new housing units into Rainier Vista, if seven of its 65 acres are turned over to the Salvation Army.

Regan Pelton, a member of a citizen committee that oversees Rainier Vista redevelopment, said the center could be a great benefit to the neighborhood. But Pelton has concerns that the center could create or accelerate potential problems with parking, traffic, gentrification and displacement.

"There are still outstanding questions about what it will be, how operations will be financed and what impact it will have on the housing authority's current plans," Pelton said.

The proposal is due to the Salvation Army's Western states headquarters by April 4. The four major partners in the plan would contribute in different ways.

The housing authority would make the property available at a slightly discounted rate, according to Felton. The city would contribute $2.5 million — pending City Council approval — to make the land more affordable, Ceis said.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, which was already planning on building a new facility at Rainier Vista, would pay $1 million in rent to become the center's anchor tenant, Johnson said.

The Salvation Army would own and operate the entire community center, Chamness said. To sustain operations, the Salvation Army would charge membership fees similar to what patrons pay at a YMCA. Discounted memberships would be available to those who lived near the center. Scholarships would be offered to those who couldn't afford memberships, he added.

Salvation Army officials are expected to announce cities chosen to move to the development phase by September.

Burton, the Rainier Vista native, said he can hardly contain his excitement as he awaits a verdict.

"I think it would just unite this community," he said. "It would be a beam of light in the Rainier Valley area."

Bob Young: 206-464-2174 or byoung@seattletimes.com