Youngstown Cultural Arts Center

The Historic Cooper School was transformed from a neglected, boarded-up eyesore in the Delridge community to a vibrant center for the arts and home to working artists. The $11.9 million project included state and local housing subsidy, low income housing and historic tax credits, and nearly $4 million in private foundation and individual funding. The building contains 36 affordable live/work studios for artists on the upper floors in the old classrooms and attic. The cultural arts center on the lower floor has a theater, movement studio, recording studio, workshop, classrooms, and offices for arts non-profit organizations. Parie’s contributions to the project included:

• Working with SMR Architects on the design of the project
• Working with Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association on the development of the project
• Planning and leading community design meetings
• Establishing the building as a City of Seattle Historic Landmark
• Registering the building on the National Register of Historic Places
• Successfully applying for historic tax credits
• Meeting an aggressive budget and schedule for construction, culminating in a successful grand opening in February 2006