The King County Council has approved a 30-year lease with non-profit Technology Access Foundation to construct a $13 million community learning center in White Center's Lakewood Park.

"This is another step forward for a project that will greatly benefit the White Center neighborhood," said Councilmember Dow Constantine. "Since Technology Access Foundation began its programs in 1997, every participant who has reached the senior year of high school has graduated and been admitted to college. The programs offered in this new building will not only aid local young people with their current school work, it will help them to succeed in higher education and in life."

The three-story, 26,000-square-foot structure will be located in the northeast section of the park. The center will house Technology Access Foundation's youth technology programs along with classes and activities offered through public school systems and non-profit partner agencies. The building will also contain meeting space and a commercial kitchen, allowing it to host a variety of community events.

The council is paying $2 million of the $13 million facility.

This project is a component of the County's White Center Community Enhancement Initiative, a series of effort aimed at the long-term revitalization of the White Center community.