King County Executive Dow Constantine recently signed his proposal, approved by the King County Council, to make an historic investment of $28.4 million in capital improvement grants to 100 cultural facilities and projects across the county.
“I proposed Building for Culture to leverage lodging taxes paid by visitors, and reinvest them in the bricks and mortar of museums, theaters, and heritage sites so we can continue to attract more visitors and locals alike,” said Constantine. “What’s special is the depth and breadth of these investments – youth and ethnic heritage centers; the historic theatres of downtown Seattle and new cultural destinations countywide; landmarks and treasured historic buildings.”
The city of Federal Way will receive $2 million for the Performing Arts and Events Center through the Building for Culture initiative. Building for Culture is the single largest competitive funding initiative King County and 4Culture have ever undertaken. The King County Council voted to approve 4Culture’s recommendation of $2 million for the PAEC at the Nov. 23 regular meeting of the Metropolitan King County Council.
In his letter to the Performing Arts and Events Center Executive Director Theresa Yvonne, 4Culture Executive Director Jim Kelly said, “Your award is the result of a highly competitive process and we congratulate you for being part of this successful group. On behalf of 4Culture, thank you for the work the organization does to promote King County’s diverse creative activities, historic fabric and community identity.”
Building for Culture is a one-time expansion of 4Culture’s annual facilities grant program, and will go to build new cultural facilities as well as expand, preserve and improve existing ones, as well as protecting landmarks and historic places. The $28.4 million in grants are financed by bonds backed by a portion of the county’s lodging tax paid by visitors.
During the last recession, major upgrades or replacement of the region’s arts and heritage infrastructure were put on hold as organizations focused on meeting operating costs.
“The County Council’s vote to award a 4Culture grant to the Federal Way Performing Arts and Events Center now puts our capital stack at $18.5 million. We aren’t stopping there, however. The city will continue its efforts to seek multiple sources of funding, including New Market Tax Credits and public-private partnerships. This important grant would not have been made possible without the diligent work of King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer and I would like to publically thank him for his continued regional leadership,” said Mayor Jim Ferrell.
“Last week, we heard compelling testimony about the regional importance of the Federal Way performing arts center and the impact it will have on South King County,” said von Reichbauer. “Today’s award will help ensure that this center will be a great venue for cultural events benefiting visitors of all ages and future generations.”
