Board presses Parks for clarity on Lake City Community Center and associated affordable housing

Council Member Juarez told the Seattle Park District Board Nov. 21 she wants a public update verifying that the Lake City Community Center redevelopment—planned to include roughly 113 affordable housing units in partnership with Mercy Housing, a community center, gymnasium, multipurpose rooms and childcare—remains funded and proceeding to construction.

Juarez said the units were planned at income targets around 30%–60% of area median income and stressed that ground‑breaking and timely delivery are priorities after years of planning. She asked Parks to confirm commitments from the Office of Housing and other city departments and to ensure set‑aside funding is not swept for other uses.

Superintendent AP Diaz replied that Parks and the Office of Housing are “100% committed” to realizing the project and said the change discussed in the meeting—moving bond issuance to 2027—was an administrative timing decision and did not remove the funds from the project. Diaz offered to work with Juarez’s office to produce a transparency update for the Lake City community and to coordinate further meetings if needed.

Karina Bull (council central staff) told the board that while the Park District’s budget presentation does not include every city CIP attachment, the city’s CIP shows Lake City Community Center project details and that staff will bring a substantial legislative package next year covering ground lease and condo/ownership documents.

Next steps: Park District staff agreed to prepare a more detailed update on project timing, funding commitments and upcoming legislative actions for Council Member Juarez and the Lake City community.