Mayor Greg Nickels has awarded over $281,000 in matching funds to 24 neighborhood projects in Seattle, including three in the Ballard area.

The money is going toward the support of Seattle neighborhoods who proposed projects depicting public art, race and social justice, youth development and climate protection.

The three Ballard groups, the Seattle Housing Authority Residents Preparing, Olympic Manor Community Club and Friends of Salmon Bay Park, took the awards because their projects support building stronger bonds in the community.

Since 1988, the Small and Simple Project Fund Awards, under the umbrella of the Neighborhood Matching Fund, have been given to community group projects that can be completed in six months, four times a year. These groups show their commitment to building a better community.

The funding is matched by groups locally raised money, donated materials and volunteer labor.

"These awards recognize our neighborhood's commitment and creativity in tackling a wide range of challenges, from protecting our climate to opening the doors of opportunity for all people in Seattle," said Nickels in a news release. "These projects will truly make a difference in people's lives."

Awards for the Small and Simple Project Fund range from $2,100 to $15,000. This year the city's $281,000 contribution will be matched by communities resources valued at about $420,000.

The Olympic Manor Community Club was awarded the maximum amount of $15,000. The groups' neighborhood improvement project is to enhance the median strip at the intersection of 85th Street Northwest and Northwest 23rd Avenue by adding drought tolerant vegetation, providing a low water drip system and improving traffic and pedestrian safety.

"We will be upgrading the entrance and have plans to beautify our neighborhood as a whole," said Jamison West, president of Olympic Manor Community Club. "This award was granted to us based on our community involvement and volunteerism."

Seattle Housing Residents Preparing was awarded $12,000 for their project that will enable Seattle Housing Residents, their neighbors, especially the disabled, to form neighborhood disaster response teams. These teams will specifically be centralized in Ballard and Lake City and will enable the trainees to train others in basic emergency preparedness.

Friends of Salmon Bay Park was awarded $7,000 for its project that will support the design and construction of a traffic circle at the intersection of Northwest 70th and 19th Avenue Northwest.

"Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and over the years the Neighborhood Matching Fund is responsible for 3,500 projects," said Peter McGraw, senior public relations officer of the Department of Neighborhoods Matching Fund.

"These projects have been completed throughout the city of Seattle," he said. "Since its inception we've made strong efforts to involve underrepresented communities. Projects are truly a reflection of the community that completes them."

For more information on how to apply for Small and Simple Project funding or any other type of neighborhood funding offered under the Neighborhood Matching Fund visit www.seattle.gov/neighbohroods/nmf/.

Allison Espiritu may be reached at 783-1244 or allisone@robinsonnews.com.