(WSB photo from 2009)
When Dakota Place Park was dedicated two years ago, it was acknowledged that the old substation building at the site – a city landmark – still needed to be renovated. It was going to be used as extra space for Hiawatha Community Center programs, we were told.

Right about that same time, the Parks and Green Spaces Levy Oversight Committee voted to put money toward the project. But now, two-plus years later, with the city cutting back on community-center hours, and even changing one West Seattle community center to another function, you might think the project has gone on indefinite hold. It hasn’t – and in fact, this week, the call for bids appeared online, for about $350,000 worth of work. (See the call for bids here.) So we asked Seattle Parks what the building would be used for, now that the community-center system has been somewhat reorganized. Spokesperson Dewey Potter provided the reply:

Parks will use the Dakota Place building as a location for classes and programs as an annex of Hiawatha Community Center. Classes and programs held there will be for registered participants (no drop-in). Staffing for the facility will be included in the cost of the class or program. The space will open only when a class is scheduled. Programs will be offered Monday through Thursday.

The building will also be available for private and community rentals on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. That will probably be handled through our event-scheduling office but that arrangement is not set up yet.

Another fact: The Hiawatha Community Center Advisory Council has contributed up to $170,000 to help Parks with the interior renovation and to buy equipment and furnishings.

We’ll be following up on the expected construction timetable.