As the youngest member of the newly elected Queen Anne Community Council, Tim Prouty acknowledged he lacks the depth of other members' experience. But that's OK with 25-year-old Prouty, who wants to learn and embark on a commitment to a neighborhood that called out to him.
"It's really an opportunity to learn a great deal, serve the community and the neighborhood. That's really where my heart is," said Prouty, who moved to Lower Queen Anne two years ago with his wife, Natalie. "We really fell in love with this neighborhood and in the last year it's been in my heart to invest in the community and its direction."
Prouty graduated from the University of Washington in 2006 with a degree in computer engineering; he now works for the software developer Isilon Systems Inc. - blocks from his Uptown home. Originally from Spokane, Prouty enjoys Northwest activities such as snowboarding, camping and, walking around his neighborhood.
"I feel a call to the neighborhood, but I wasn't seeking it out. It just kind of happened," Prouty said. "We moved because it was convenient for work. It's very walkable."
But what Prouty discovered in the convenience of walking to work was a neighborhood that interested him at every corner - from the "beautiful old buildings to the views."
"This neighborhood has a lot going for it," Prouty said. "I feel there's a lot of opportunity for interesting growth."
Though he doesn't have an architectural or development background Prouty's passion lies with land use - particularly the preservation and building of "diverse vibrant neighborhoods."
Uptown - sandwiched between Upper Queen Anne, Belltown, Downtown and Elliott Bay - exhibits diversity at every corner, but still falls short of one area according to Prouty.
With the future in mind, "It's difficult to raise a family in its urban context now ... I think it's possible to make it an option to live in the city context and have a family."
"I don't think it's very viable right now," Prouty added, noting the lack of schools in Lower Queen Anne as an example.
Prouty also plans to be involved with the Uptown Alliance, in addition to his QACC role - which hasn't been defined yet, though Prouty said he gravitates toward the land use committee.
After attending QACC meetings and receiving encouragement from members to run for council, Prouty decided he would go for it as a step toward a long-term commitment to his community.
"We want to put our roots here. We would like to raise a family here and the QACC is a part of that," Prouty said. "I'm interested in how I can invest in the community long-term and the QACC is a place where I think I can be effective and spend my time well."[[In-content Ad]]
