Followup: Delridge Neighborhood Service Center closure plan

On the ground floor of Brandon Court, just north of the Delridge Library, the former DNDA offices are vacant – since they consolidated operations at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – and now there’s a proposal for the city to clear out of the Delridge Neighborhood Service Center next door.

We first reported this yesterday, when Mayor McGinn, Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, and acting Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams came to High Point to unveil their vision for how city-run community centers will operate next year. As part of that plan, the Delridge NSC – the only one left in West Seattle, after the Junction NSC closed in June – would close and move into the Southwest Community Center in Westwood. There were no Department of Neighborhoods reps available at the High Point media briefing to elaborate; the Delridge closure wasn’t even confirmed until more than an hour after our followup question at the briefing. But today, DON director Bernie Matsuno sent a followup note to Delridge Neighborhoods District Council chair Mat McBride and Southwest District Council co-chairs Susan Melrose and Tony Fragada. Through McBride, it was shared with us to publish publicly:

Yesterday morning, the Mayor and Councilmember Bagshaw held a press conference announcing recommendations for community center operations in the City’s 2012 budget. Among the recommendations presented, there was discussion on how community centers could be used in different ways, specifically noting the Southwest Community Center. In essence, it was proposed that the upstairs area of the Southwest Community Center serve as the home of the Neighborhood Service Center (NSC) serving West Seattle residents.

As you know, DON, as well as all other city departments, was asked to take budget reductions for 2012. Because of our economic reality, the Mayor wanted to look at how the City can do business differently while still preserving city services. By using an existing city-owned facility (in this case, the community center) for an NSC instead of renting a space, it makes the City more efficient and accessible, while saving the City money. And the assistance and support that our Neighborhood Service Center provides to West Seattle residents will remain intact at this new location.

However, opening this new location will mean the closure of the Delridge Neighborhood Service Center. While this proposed new location is further south, no reduction in Customer Service Representatives will occur. It will also not affect our Neighborhood District Coordinators; Steve, Yun and Ed will continue to support the West Seattle community.

I know this is yet another change for West Seattle, but this recommended model will save money while preserving services and is part of a longer-term vision of using city facilities to provide multiple services and activities for our community members. The Mayor will share the details in his proposed 2012 budget to be presented on September 26.

The community-center proposal also will be discussed when the City Council’s Parks Committee meets at 9 am September 15th (at City Hall downtown), and when the city Parks Board meets at 7 pm September 22nd (at Parks HQ downtown).

10 Replies to "Followup: Delridge Neighborhood Service Center closure plan"

  • ketchup September 13, 2011 (6:28 pm)

    I always thought this place was a boon to the neighborhood. I love the easy access of paying my bills here. So long.

  • Mel September 13, 2011 (7:33 pm)

    More McGinn legacy – moving city services to less-accessible places for no other reason (let’s face it) than to save a buck.
    .
    What I worry about most, however,is DNDA, who seem to be in a bit of financial hard times already. They can’t rent the commercial space they’ve got (and somehow we think DESC will?) and now this. Very neighborhood-unfriendly from the mayor.

  • CB September 13, 2011 (10:08 pm)

    McGinn could save the taxpayer’s some money by resigning… Reality is the City Council runs this town. He is nothing more than a rubber stamp figure head. A waste really.

  • coffee September 13, 2011 (10:33 pm)

    From what I can read they are saving money on rent by moving into a city owned space that they will not have to spend a monthly payment on. Or am I missing something? Also its only about 14 blocks to the north and on the same bus lines. Where is this really a problem? It sounds like a smart idea to me.

  • visitor September 14, 2011 (12:14 am)

    It’s kind of unbelievable that no one at the conference knew whether the Delridge NSC would close, I mean….come on. The mayor is the boss, or is the boss really the city council as CB states? Anyway, the bosses of the city were there. Didn’t they discuss the NSC closure before they decided to open one at Southwest? Are they really so OUT OF TOUCH? Do they just read off prepared statements from the people in the budget office when they do these little photo ops. Friggin unbelievable!

  • metrognome September 14, 2011 (12:56 am)

    CB — that’s kinda funny cuz Nickels was criticized for returning to the ‘strong mayor’ form of gov’t (after a few weak mayors ceded a lot of authority to the Council) and retrieving those lost powers (for instance, he told the Council to stop calling individual depts under the mayor for information and to call the mayor’s office instead. And yet all it took was an unexpectedly strong snow storm to run him out of office so a novice (either McG or Malahan) could be elected. I guess you get what the majority of voters in an election vote for …

  • Mel September 14, 2011 (1:09 am)

    “Only 14 blocks to the north.” That almost makes it sounds walking distance, until we remember those aren’t city blocks and it’s actually 2 miles and out by the City limits (i.e., more accessible from White Center than from most of the actual neighborhood it serves).

  • Been There September 14, 2011 (7:42 am)

    coffee – Did you mean 14 blocks to the south?

    • WSB September 14, 2011 (7:58 am)

      Google Maps puts it as 2.2 miles’ distance between the Delridge Neighborhood Service Center and the Southwest Community Center. Also, I believe Chas pointed out in the original story’s comment thread that the only bus line serving SWCC is the 22 – TR
      .
      This takes you to the Google Map showing the line and distance between the two: http://is.gd/MEGORP

  • I Wonder September 14, 2011 (11:32 am)

    From what I’ve heard, the Mayor’s office is quite disconnected from everyone else, and very few in his administration knows whats on his mind. Seems to like blindsiding people rather than communicating. How can he close the WS Junction branch, then close this one a short time later. smh.

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