Magnolia and Queen Anne residents have until March 30 to have their votes counted as to which community project Umpqua Bank would offer volunteers and $10,000 to complete.
This is the last stage of the “Build Your Block Challenge,” in which three neighborhood enhancement projects have been identified for both communities. Earlier this year, Magnolia and Queen Anne were among five communities that won the right to have a community project supported by the bank with $10,000.
Now residents have to choose the project. The one that receives the most votes from the local community will receive $10,000 worth of support from Umpqua Bank, as well as volunteer coordination and work from the bank’s employees.
In Magnolia, the three project finalists are:
1) Magnolia p-patch tool shed and supplies. The new Magnolia p-patch being developed on 28th Avenue West will receive a secure tool shed and a supply of garden tools.
2) Public art and seating area at 32nd Avenue West and West McGraw Street. The project is to add benches, planter boxes and public art on the southwest corner of 32nd Avenue West and West McGraw Street. The project will beautify the area and encourage residents to spend time there.
3) The “Welcome to Magnolia” signage beautification. The money will be used to provide a more attractive and eye-catching entry into magnolia through enhanced landscaping and revised signage.
The Queen Anne project finalists include:
1) Revitalizing Queen Anne’s public stairs. More specifically, to improve public stair no. 564, located at the corner of 14th Avenue West and Ray Street. Funds will be used to conduct repair, restoration and beautification on the stairs highlighting safety, aesthetics, and use of native plants.
2) Welcome banner installation and signage enhancement. This project includes installation of colorful banners to line Queen Anne Avenue North, from the bottom of the hill to the top, welcoming visitors and residents to the neighborhood.
3) Forest restoration in the southwest Queen Anne greenbelt. This project calls for planting 500 native conifers, such as Noble Fir, Western Cedar and Douglas fir, in the 70-acre greenbelt along the southwest side of Queen Anne. The area is threatened by invasive plans, such as English Ivy and blackberry bushes.
Residents can vote for the project they would like to see win by visiting the Umpqua Bank’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UmpquaBank and clicking on the “build your block” application. You can vote online only once.
However, neighbors can come into the bank branches in Magnolia and Queen Anne and vote once a day for the project of their choice. The reason for the voting restrictions are to make sure that local residents truly decide which projects win the bank’s support.
According to Nicole Stein, vice president of community responsibility for the bank, Umpqua will announce the winning projects during the first week of April. Bank officials will help organize and coordinate the projects.
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