A queer focused poetry slam, improving a small urban park, and building safer paths for pedestrians and cyclists were just a few of the neighborhood project that will be getting a financial boost from the City of Seattle this year.

Mayor Ed Murray announced $501,415 in matching funds this month to support 24 neighborhood-initiated projects. District 3-based projects raked in at least $90,000 in the latest round of funding. One project will help fund a brand new poetry event on Capitol Hill, billed The Queer Resurgence on Capitol Hill Poetry Festival.

Citywide

• $25,000 to Casa Latina to engage the community in a series of conversations to help determine how Casa Latina can best continue to serve Latino immigrants. (Community match: $17,790)

District 3

• $25,000 to Friends of Safe Access: Street to Park to create a conceptual plan for a safe and accessible west entry to Mt. Baker Park. A design firm will work with the community in preparing conceptual drawings for the replacement of the steep path that currently exists. (Community match: $12,500)
• $25,000 to First Hill Improvement Association to continue the work of leading the community through final design and construction documentation for improvements to First Hill Park. This phase will build off of the approved Phase 1 concept plan. (Community match: $15,350)
• $15,000 to Seattle Poetry Slam to host an all-ages, three-day celebration of LGBTQ arts and community. The Queer Resurgence on Capitol Hill Poetry Festival will include panel discussions, workshops, and a poetry slam competition. (Community match: $7,200)

The Small and Simple Fund offers up to $25,000 in city grants to projects from neighborhood organizations “committed to fostering and building a better community.”

District 3 took home funding for three projects in March:

• $25,000 to Volunteer Park Trust to begin Phase II of the Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project which includes the concept design for a new performance stage. (Community match: $12,509)
• $8,348 to Friends of Yesler Terrace to collect stories of former and current Yesler Terrace residents and create a reunion celebration, a series of community conversations, and a scrapbook of stories and photos. (Community match: $12,420)
• $25,000 to Bego to organize the Little Ethiopia Music, Song and Dance Festival this summer to celebrate the Ethiopian community and the accomplishment of its business community. (Community match: $18,508)