In November Mayor Murray announced $250,000 in awards for nine local micro-projects along the Duwamish River as a result of the Duwamish River Opportunity Fund. The projects will work to advance the environmental quality of the area and public health of people living near the river.

“The City of Seattle is honored to support these community-based projects,” said Murray. “This funding will benefit the people and businesses along the Duwamish River. We selected projects that support the quality of life in neighborhoods affected by the cleanup.”

The awards are:

• $15,000 to the South Park Area Redevelopment Committee and South Park Senior Citizens to develop more stable food sources for the Senior Center Meal Program.
• $21,000 to Duwamish Tribal Services to educate tribal members on harvesting, preparation and cultural practices surrounding traditional foods.
• $10,000 to the Duwamish Rowing Club to support opportunities to make rowing on the Duwamish River a part of a healthy lifestyle.
• $39,000 to Urban Systems Design to implement a job training program that increases green infrastructure and open spaces in the Duwamish Valley.
• $29,000 to Just Health Action to work with Vietnamese fishers on alternatives to fishing in the Duwamish River that supports food security and their spiritual and cultural beliefs.
• $12,500 to Feet First to work with community members on improving access for pedestrians in neighborhoods near the river.
• $61,500 to the Washington State Dept. of Veterans Affairs for a tree-planting pilot project that will support jobs for veterans and increase tree canopy along the river.
• $22,000 to the Georgetown Arts & Cultural Center to establish a community garden that will improve access to fresh and healthy food.
• $40,000 to the Friends of 8^th Avenue South Trail to improve safety and connectivity of the Duwamish Bikeway.

A review team representing neighborhoods along the Duwamish River, as well as public health and environmental advocates, scored 16 submitted projects seeking more than $378,000 from the Duwamish River Opportunity Fund.

About the Opportunity Fund

The City is working to make the Superfund cleanup of the Duwamish River result in the optimum outcome for the river and its adjacent neighborhoods. In addition to our commitment to the clean-up efforts, we recognize that the communities along the Duwamish have many needs. To address some of these, the City created a $250,000 Duwamish River Opportunity Fund to enhance existing programs or support new ones. Seattle Department of Neighborhoods manages the fund. Look for updates on our blog as these projects are implemented.