Preserving, renovating, and building veterans and heritage facilities in Shoreline and Kenmore

King County Councilmember
Rod Dembowski

King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski secures Building for Culture grants 

Projects in Shoreline and Kenmore will receive funding to help build, maintain, and preserve arts, heritage, and cultural facilities in these communities.

“This was a unique opportunity to make game-changing investments in our arts and heritage organizations,” said Metropolitan King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski. 

“Building for Culture dollars will make possible long desired capital investments in the Shoreline Historical Museum, fund completion of the Shoreline Veterans Memorial, help preserve the Richmond Masonic Center, and continue renovation of the Kenmore Community Club.

"These organizations have a tremendous impact on our community, and these grants will ensure they continue to serve our residents for years to come.”

Rod Dembowski and Dwight Stevens, Chair of the Shoreline Veterans Association, at the construction of the Shoreline Veterans Memorial Plaza, outside of Shoreline City Hall.

The funding to build, maintain, expand, preserve, and improve new and existing cultural facilities was allocated from the Building for Culture program and was unanimously approved by the County Council. Building for Culture is a partnership between King County and 4Culture, King County’s cultural services agency, using bonds backed by the hotel-motel tax.

“Thanks to Councilmember Dembowski’s continued advocacy, we are able to complete the Shoreline Veterans Memorial,” said Dwight Stevens, WWII Veteran and Chair of the Shoreline Veterans Association.  

“The late Frank Moll and I conceived the idea for the Shoreline Veterans Memorial six years ago, as a way to honor the men and women who have served our country. It’s heartening to know that the $20,000 grant from King County will make this dream a reality.”

Dembowski has secured a total of $40,000 in County funding for the Shoreline Veterans Memorial. 

Shoreline Historical Museum expansion plans

“The Shoreline Historical Museum is thrilled to receive a $250,000 grant – about 25 percent of our construction project budget – from King County,” said Vicki Stiles, Executive Director of the Shoreline Historical Museum. 

“We thank Councilmember Rod Dembowski for supporting this critical funding. Our new building will allow us to continue our mission of preserving, recording, and interpreting the rich heritage of the Shoreline area.”

In addition to the funds supporting projects in District 1, Councilmember Dembowski worked to ensure a $200,000 grant for Seattle Repertory Theatre was included in the final project list.

“I would like to extend my appreciation to Councilmember Rod Dembowski and the entire County Council for their support of Seattle Repertory Theatre,” said Jeffrey Herrmann, Managing Director of Seattle Repertory Theatre. “The funds will go to needed renovations, that all of King County will be able to enjoy.”

Richmond Masonic Lodge in Shoreline
will receive funds for renovation
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The facilities receiving funding in District 1 are:

Agency/Government/Organization	Project	Grant Award
City of Shoreline Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services	Shoreline Veterans Recognition Plaza	$20,000
Kenmore Community Club	2016 Kenmore Community Club Interior Rehabilitation	$10,000
Richmond Masonic Center Association	Foundation and Kitchen Renovation	$14,000
Shoreline Historical Museum	New Collections Facility and Research Center	$250,000

The bonds supporting these projects are made possible by early retirement of the Kingdome debt. State law requires that hotel-motel tax revenues King County collects this year after repayment of the Kingdome debt be directed to arts and cultural programs.