Seattle Press on Line - Phinney Neighborhood Association Celebrates 20 Years

Phinney Neighborhood Association Celebrates 20 Years

Mayor Paul Schell congratulates Ed Medeiros, executive director of the Phinney Neighborhood Association, on September 30, 2001, Ed Medeiros Day.

Oct 11, 2001 -- It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon on Phinney Ridge September 30, when crowds of people congregated at the Phinney Neighborhood Center to celebrate 20 years of community-building.

They were there for three celebrations, really: first, to mark the 20th anniversary of the Center; also, to dedicate the brand-new Heart of Phinney Park at the corner of Phinney Avenue and N 67th Street; and last but not least, to officially open the Center's new technology center, a well-equipped computer lab that will host classes and open lab hours. There was a secret purpose besides the first three, known to a select few.

The art gallery upstairs at the Phinney Neighborhood Center.

As the formal event unfolded, several speeches were made by way of introducing to the crowd the long list of milestones achieved at the Phinney Center. Then Mayor Paul Schell took the podium. As he read from a prepared text, it soon became apparent to the crowd what was taking place. "Whereas, Ed Medeiros gave up a potentially lucrative career in biological research and bird beheading to help found the Phinney Neighborhood Association and become its first (and only) Executive Director over 20 years ago..." The list Schell read contained several more "Whereases," each touting a particular achievement spearheaded by Medeiros. Ed himself stood to one side, and a look of total surprise crossed his face when, after several more praises, Schell wound up with the words, "Now, therefore, I, Paul Schell, Mayor of the City of Seattle, do hereby proclaim September 30, 2001 to be Ed Medeiros Day in Seattle!"

"Ed Medeiros is the George Bailey of Phinney Ridge," said an emotional Greg Zuhl, who also read a poem by his young daughter describing her feelings about the Heart of Phinney Park.

Why the fuss? Over the years, countless volunteers and paid staffers have worked to make the Phinney Neighborhood Center what it is. But, over the years, Ed Medeiros, the Center's first and so far only Director is recognized as the driving force behind the unique neighborhood institution.

Artist's rendition of the new Heart of Phinney Park at the corner of Phinney Avenue and N 67th Street.

In 1980, the Phinney Neighborhood Association, a fledgling group of neighbors who wanted to spend their Federal block grant funds on social services for the community, took over the old John B. Allen Elementary School building at 6532 Phinney Ave. N. The grand opening was celebrated with a Holiday Bazaar, a tradition that continues today. The Center housed the Association's programs: storm windows and home sharing for seniors, a preschool coop, a senior transportation van, a greenhouse, a tree bank, recycling and a food buying coop. Current programs include before and after school childcare programs, a tool lending library run by Seattle Press' own Roger Faris, classrooms for more than 80 regular classes ranging from dance to martial arts to dog obedience and landscaping, two soup kitchens, an art gallery, and many more.

In 1999, the Phinney Neighborhood Association signed a long-term, 20-year lease with the Seattle School District, which still owns the building. Future plans for the Center now include more extensive landscaping for a more park-like setting. The new Heart of Phinney Park is the first step towards that goal.

For more information about the Phinney Neighborhood Center or any of its programs, call (206) 783-2244.

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Dia Camarillo	Mar 26, 2004	Gilroy	Stay at home mom
Hello, I was really hoping to find some pictures of the old John B. Allen School pictures for I use to go there about 35 years ago and I never got any pictures of it and I would just love, love to be able to get some...can you help me please? Thank you so much. Dia