Category: Boards and Commissions

Mayor Durkan Signs Ordinance Designating Mount Zion Baptist Church a Seattle Landmark

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan signed the landmark designation ordinance for Mount Zion Baptist Church located at 1634 Rev. Dr. S. McKinney Avenue. This new landmark joins more than 400 landmarks in the city that are recognized for their contributions to Seattle’s rich cultural and architectural heritage.

“Mt. Zion Baptist Church has been a place for community and worship for 128 years and a civic fixture with a strong legacy of championing civil rights,” said Mayor Durkan. “For generations to come, Mt. Zion will be a landmark of our great city, and will continue to be a beacon for love, community, and justice.”

“Mount Zion is a second home to many in our African American community. The cornerstone of the Mount Zion church family is self-help, the empowerment of people, and reinforcing the community spiritually, educationally, socially, and politically – it is a place of hope and camaraderie for positive change,” said Council President Bruce Harrell. “Mount Zion is the bedrock of the Central District and represents culture, history, and meaning to so many in our community. Mt. Zion’s door is open to all and a place where all families can call a second home.”

The Landmarks Preservation Board designated this property on October 18, 2017 based on all six designation standards making it one of four city landmarks honored with this distinction. The Board also recognized the Mount Zion Baptist Church’s more than 100-year legacy on this site and its continued service to the Seattle community for more than 125 years. The landmark was nominated by a group from Mount Zion led by Reverend Dr. Phyllis Beaumonte.

“With Mount Zion Baptist Church’s status as a Seattle Historic Landmark comes the assurance that the legacy of faith, love, hope, and justice, which began 128 years ago, will continue,” said Rev. Dr. Beaumonte.

Reverend Dr. Samuel B. McKinney served as pastor at Mount Zion for more than four decades and was the visionary for the Educational Wing (1962) and the Church building (1975); both buildings remain today. The Fellowship Hall hosted thousands of educational programs and city events and has historically been a meeting place for civil rights activists, clergy, local leaders, and members of the community. The church’s distinct design was the product of Reverend Dr. McKinney’s vision to create a place of worship that reflected African heritage through its structural form and architectural vocabulary. His design was a collaboration with local architectural firm Durham, Anderson & Freed.

As a designated City landmark, the Mount Zion Baptist Church is not only recognized for its historic and cultural significance, but also becomes eligible for economic incentives and technical assistance for the continued preservation of the landmark.

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Historic Preservation Program is responsible for the designation and protection of more than 400 historic structures, sites, objects, and vessels, as well as eight historic districts located throughout the city. For more information on the landmark designation process and to view other city landmarks, visit seattle.gov/neighborhoods/preservation.

The post Mayor Durkan Signs Ordinance Designating Mount Zion Baptist Church a Seattle Landmark appeared first on Front Porch.

Mayor Durkan Signs Ordinance Designating Mount Zion Baptist Church a Seattle Landmark

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan signed the landmark designation ordinance for Mount Zion Baptist Church located at 1634 Rev. Dr. S. McKinney Avenue. This new landmark joins more than 400 landmarks in the city that are recognized for their contributions to Seattle’s rich cultural and architectural heritage.

“Mt. Zion Baptist Church has been a place for community and worship for 128 years and a civic fixture with a strong legacy of championing civil rights,” said Mayor Durkan. “For generations to come, Mt. Zion will be a landmark of our great city, and will continue to be a beacon for love, community, and justice.”

“Mount Zion is a second home to many in our African American community. The cornerstone of the Mount Zion church family is self-help, the empowerment of people, and reinforcing the community spiritually, educationally, socially, and politically – it is a place of hope and camaraderie for positive change,” said Council President Bruce Harrell. “Mount Zion is the bedrock of the Central District and represents culture, history, and meaning to so many in our community. Mt. Zion’s door is open to all and a place where all families can call a second home.”

The Landmarks Preservation Board designated this property on October 18, 2017 based on all six designation standards making it one of four city landmarks honored with this distinction. The Board also recognized the Mount Zion Baptist Church’s more than 100-year legacy on this site and its continued service to the Seattle community for more than 125 years. The landmark was nominated by a group from Mount Zion led by Reverend Dr. Phyllis Beaumonte.

“With Mount Zion Baptist Church’s status as a Seattle Historic Landmark comes the assurance that the legacy of faith, love, hope, and justice, which began 128 years ago, will continue,” said Rev. Dr. Beaumonte.

Reverend Dr. Samuel B. McKinney served as pastor at Mount Zion for more than four decades and was the visionary for the Educational Wing (1962) and the Church building (1975); both buildings remain today. The Fellowship Hall hosted thousands of educational programs and city events and has historically been a meeting place for civil rights activists, clergy, local leaders, and members of the community. The church’s distinct design was the product of Reverend Dr. McKinney’s vision to create a place of worship that reflected African heritage through its structural form and architectural vocabulary. His design was a collaboration with local architectural firm Durham, Anderson & Freed.

As a designated City landmark, the Mount Zion Baptist Church is not only recognized for its historic and cultural significance, but also becomes eligible for economic incentives and technical assistance for the continued preservation of the landmark.

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Historic Preservation Program is responsible for the designation and protection of more than 400 historic structures, sites, objects, and vessels, as well as eight historic districts located throughout the city. For more information on the landmark designation process and to view other city landmarks, visit seattle.gov/neighborhoods/preservation.

The post Mayor Durkan Signs Ordinance Designating Mount Zion Baptist Church a Seattle Landmark appeared first on Front Porch.

Landmarks Preservation Board to consider nomination of the Rhodes Brothers/Heiden Building for landmark status

Seattle’s Landmarks Preservation Board will consider nomination of the Rhodes Brothers/Heiden Building (1925-1929 Third Avenue) located in Belltown on Wednesday, June 20 at 3:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in Seattle City Hall (600 4th Avenue, Floor L2) in the Boards & Commissions Room L2-80.

The public is invited to attend the meeting and make comments regarding the nomination. Written comments are also accepted and should be received by the Landmarks Preservation Board at the following mailing address by 3:00 p.m. on June 19:

Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
PO Box 94649
Seattle, WA 98124-4649

A copy of the Landmark Nomination is available for public review at the Central Library (1000 4th Avenue) and the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods office in Seattle City Hall, 600 4th Avenue, 4th Floor (206-684-0228). It is also posted on Department of Neighborhoods website, under the heading of “Current Nominations.”

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Get Engaged on our Boards & Commissions

Are you age 18-29 and interested in participating in city government?

Consider joining one of our boards and commissions:

  • The Community Involvement Commission works to ensure that City departments are creating and implementing equitable engagement strategies that lead to more relevant and impactful public participation.
  • The Seattle Renters’ Commission provides information, advice, and counsel to the Mayor, Seattle City Council, and departments concerning issues and policies affecting renters.
  • The Landmarks Preservation Board assists the city with identification of potential landmarks, makes decisions on landmark designations, and makes recommendations to the City Council on landmark controls.
  • The Pioneer Square Preservation Board works to preserve, protect and enhance the historic and architectural character of Pioneer Square.

You can apply to join through the YMCA’s Get Engaged program, which places young adults ages 18-29 on City of Seattle’s public boards and commissions. Get Engaged commissioners serve a one-year term starting September each year.

Applications for the 2018-2019 cohort are now available. The deadline to apply is May 31!

Learn more about the Get Engaged program and apply at: seattleymca.org/accelerator/leadershipdevelopment/getengaged.

 

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Landmarks Preservation Board to consider nomination of the Highland Apartments for landmark status

Seattle’s Landmarks Preservation Board will consider nomination of the Highland Apartments (931 11th Avenue E) in Capitol Hill on Wednesday, June 20 at 3:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in Seattle City Hall (600 4th Avenue, Floor L2) in the Boards & Commissions Room L2-80.

The public is invited to attend the meeting and make comments regarding the nomination. Written comments are also accepted and should be received by the Landmarks Preservation Board at the following mailing address by 3:00 p.m. on June 19:

Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
PO Box 94649
Seattle, WA 98124-4649

A copy of the Landmark Nomination is available for public review at the Capitol Hill Branch Library (425 Harvard Avenue East) and the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ office in Seattle City Hall, 600 4th Avenue, 4th Floor (206-684-0228). It is also posted on Department of Neighborhoods website, under the heading of “Current Nominations.”

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