Keeping neighborhood integrated may be challenge

By MARK HIGGINS
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

It was the area's ethnic and economic diversity that attracted Pacific Oakes to relocate its branch campus from Bellevue to Madrona in November 1996, says Sullivan, whose children attend school at nearby St. Therese, a Catholic school.

Pacific Oakes College -- founded by Quakers in Pasadena, Calif. -- has 160 full- and part-time students earning master's degrees in teacher education and human development.

Sullivan, who is black, says while it may be true that Madrona's ethnic mix is changing, "there is still a lot of diversity here."

One of her Franklin High schoolmates was Curtis Luke. He and his wife, Sharon, run Cool Hand Luke's Cafe a half-block from the college. The Lukes, who are Chinese, opened their restaurant six years ago. They live above it and have a 30-second commute to work, Sharon Luke jokes.

"I really envisioned a little Fremont. That is what I saw as the potential here, and this is a great neighborhood that is definitely changing for the better," Sharon Luke says, referring to the investment in homes and businesses.

Herman McKinney, vice president of urban affairs for the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, agrees. McKinney, who has lived in the same house in Madrona for the past 27 years, says the community remains a delightful, integrated place.

Its challenge and responsibility is to ensure it remains so, McKinney says.

"The thing we are trying to do is to encourage those African American families to stay in Madrona -- it is a wonderful place to live -- and to encourage those people moving into the area to purchase goods and services from the African American businesses that have been there for years and years. In that way everyone wins," McKinney says.

As much as any organization, Madrona's Community Council can help "lend some stability" in a time of social and economic change, says activist Maid Adams, who has lived in the same house for 38 years. "The community council has always been the body to pull people together," Adams says

The council has a long history of spirited involvement and support of Madrona's schools.

Continued:

• Community takes pride in diversity
• Prices of homes skyrocket as area goes upscale
• Fates of school and antenna tower among key issues
• Neighbors have worked together to build better, safer home