Wandering through the cavernous hallways of the big, blue building that sits atop the pulse of the Phinney neighborhood, one thing becomes abundantly clear: From the towering ceilings that fend off mid-morning drizzle to the creaky floors reminiscent of grandma's kitchen, this building is saturated in history.
As with any century-old building, visitors here might be tempted to utter clichés that lament the walls' inability to communicate, and rightfully so. For every creak in the floorboards there is surely a story worthy of being told.
What makes the place special, though, has nothing to do with antiquity or architecture. It's about people and, more specifically, the foundations of community.
The 'super auction'
For the last quarter-century, the building, along with a slightly younger, brick building next door, has housed the Phinney Neighborhood Association (PNA), a nonprofit organization that serves the surrounding community and the city through a variety of programs designed to "connect neighbors and foster civic involvement."
On Saturday, May 7, as part of its 25th anniversary celebration, the PNA is throwing a super-size version of its annual auction in the PNA building at 6532 Phinney Ave. N. and in a giant tent in the adjoining parking lot.
Tickets are $35 per person and include dinner. All proceeds from the event go to the organization and its services.
About one-third of the PNA's funding comes from fund raising, and organizers of this year's event hope to raise upwards of $45,000, considerably more than the $3,000 raised during the mid-1980s at its first auction.
Judging by the numbers, the organization has grown up, and as the folks at the PNA celebrate their silver anniversary, they're reflecting on their history with a hopeful and confident nod toward continued success in the future.
Luckily, that future will likely be filled with activity.
The PNA is constantly abuzz, a fact that reinforces its utility to the neighborhood.
Recently, on a wet and lazy Friday in April not unlike many other days here, the organization's value to local residents could be seen in the diversity of its program's participants.
In one room upstairs, a group of women 50 and older sat around a table engaged in a thoughtful discussion about how to make the next phase of their respective lives more fulfilling.
Meanwhile, one door over, a pack of preschool children learned the intricacies of gravity through trial-and-error as they bumbled and stumbled their way through a variety of games and activities.
Separated by a few thin pieces of sheetrock and several generations, the two groups shared more than a common, albeit speechless, wall; they shared the connectivity that comes with a community built on resident interaction and participation.
As the hub of the community, the PNA facilitates that interaction.
"I think we have become an integral part of the neighborhood," said Ann Bowden, development director of the PNA. "A lot of people tell us it's hard to imagine the neighborhood without us, and people in other areas who don't have similar organizations will come to us and say, 'How come you guys get to have all this?'"
Of course, Bowden gave a good-natured chuckle as she spoke of what might well be coined "neighborhood envy."
But a look at the progression of the PNA and its current place of prominence in the Phinney community says much about the efforts of all involved, particularly in light of where they started.
Finding a home
Initially funded by a $200,000 federal block grant in the late 1970s, the PNA was an exercise in foresight. At a time when most neighboring communities used money from similar grants for physical improvements, residents of Phinney - then designated as the area from North 65th to 75th streets and Aurora Avenue North to Third Avenue Northwest - wanted a place that would connect them with their neighbors.
Unfortunately, the organization in its infancy was a concept without a home despite adequate funding and heaps of enthusiasm. Although the PNA was officially incorporated in March 1980 as a nonprofit organization, residents searched in vain to find a structure that would bring their brainchild to fruition.
In June 1981, the Seattle School District closed John B. Allen Elementary School, opening the door for the new community center in September 1981.
"For us, it was very serendipitous," said Ed Medeiros, who lives two blocks from the center and has been the executive director of the PNA since its inception. "We had been searching for a site and [the school closing] allowed us the opportunity to move things forward."
A regional draw
Twenty-five years later, with the continued efforts of the local community and a staff that has grown to 30 people, the PNA is thriving like never before.
Currently, the more than 4,000 members (average annual membership cost is $40) of the organization pay reduced rates to take classes ranging from home repair to technology assistance to contra dancing.
The organization holds several events each year, including concerts, dances, beer-and-wine tasting parties, a Halloween carnival and a winter festival.
It has an active volunteer program, and it runs a co-op preschool, a day care, two soup kitchens, a tool bank where people can borrow tools for home repair and a plethora of other programs - all with the focus of drawing together the community.
The building even has its own art gallery that hosts monthly exhibits.
Though the original boundaries of the Phinney area were explicitly drawn out at the time of the PNA's formation, Medeiros is quick to point out that everyone is welcome to take advantage of what the PNA has to offer, regardless of where they live.
"We have members from all over the city," he said. "Anyone interested in building community through our programs and services is invited to join."
For tickets to the auction or information about any of the PNA's events, programs, services or volunteer opportunities call 783-2244, or visit them on-line at www.phinneycenter.org.
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