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Community Involvement and Mitigation
The mitigation program for the Stadium and Exhibition Center paved new ground for community outreach and revitalization. First & Goal and the PSA embraced the opportunity to mobilize the varying interests and efforts of the three South Downtown neighborhoods into one cohesive force.
Project partners approached the development of the mitigation program with a collaborative spirit. A significant effort was invested in building multiple communication channels including newsletters, focus groups, website, door-to-door outreach, workshops and multi-lingual meetings. The monthly Community Partnership Forum became a sounding board for the project and a place to share ideas and build understanding between neighborhoods. Forum participants shaped the priorities for the project's mitigation program.
Early community involvement and ongoing dialog created a climate of trust and partnership that allowed for innovative solutions such as the creation of the South Downtown Foundation.
The South Downtown Foundation was formed in 1999 to address the impacts of the new stadium and exhibition center on Pioneer Square, the Chinatown/International District and the Duwamish Manufacturing and Industrial Center. The Foundation is accomplishing this by providing leadership, building partnerships, assuming coordination and collaboration, encouraging community participation, and allocating and leveraging resources to improve these areas.
For more information or a summary of the grants the Foundation has issued to date visit www.southdowntown.org.
The PSA was also a partner in implementing further mitigation measures outlined in the project's Master Use Permit. The measures addressed priorities including:
- Protecting air quality;
- Conserving water;
- Managing hazardous materials;
- Controlling noise;
- Maintaining access for people with disabilities;
- Promoting pedestrian access;
- Providing accessible, high-quality amenities such as restrooms, drinking fountains and seating;
- Reimbursing public agencies for services including police protection, parking enforcement and traffic management at events; and
- Ensuring visually attractive facilities.
For more information about the construction mitigation program, or to review the final program report, visit www.qwestfield.com.
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