The Phinney Neighborhood Association purchased the former John B. Allen Elementary School from the Seattle School District earlier this spring, becoming the official owner of the Phinney Neighborhood Center and they want to invite the community to celebrate that milestone with them on June 28.
The Phinney Neighborhood Center bills itself as an independent, non-profit community center run by and for the Phinney-Greenwood neighborhood.
On Sunday, June 28, the center will host a community party complete with live music, aerialists, jugglers, chalk art, the Bubble Man and more. The party begins at 2 p.m. in the center’s parking lot at 6532 Phinney Ave. N.
At 3 p.m., the festivities will move into the building where local dignitaries will “toast” the PNA and cake and cookies will be served. There will also be a photo display featuring the center and its programs and activities, as well as materials and information about plans for upgrading and improving the center buildings and site.
If it rains, activities will be moved inside.
The center buildings is located in the former John B. Allen Elementary School, which opened in 1904 and was named after Washington’s first senator. In 1918, the school population had increased enough to warrant the opening of a second building on the site.
In the early 1940's, the School Board started discussing the possibility of demolition of some of the oldest wood-frame schools, including the Allen School, but the building was spared.
Declining enrollment in the 1970's forced the School Board to close two high schools, seven junior high schools, and 20 elementary schools. In June 1981, the Seattle School District closed the Allen School and that August, the Phinney Neighborhood Association contracted with the district to manage the school buildings as a community center.
On Feb. 26, 2009, the Phinney Neighborhood Association purchased the site from the district for $3,050,000.
Current programs include three preschools, after school programs, more than 80 regularly scheduled educational classes per month, an arts program, two soup kitchens and much more.
Funding for the non-profit association comes from facilities maintenance, program and membership fees and fundraising events. Current membership is more than 5,000 people from throughout the Puget Sound, with an estimate of over 400,000 annual program visits.
For more information, call (206) 783-2244.
