• When does the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) break ground?
   Spring 2006.

• When will NAAM open its doors to the public?
   Summer 2007

•When will Museum memberships be available?
   March 2006.

•What is the capital campaign target?
   The Capital Campaign target is $20 million.

•Where do I send contributions to NAAM?    
   Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
   ATTN: Urban League Village at Colman School
   105 14th Avenue
   Seattle, WA 98122

•How should checks be addressed in support of NAAM?
   Urban League Village/NAAM

•What are current volunteer opportunites?
   Current volunteer opportunities include:
      •Experienced grant writers.
      •Individuals who can work on call for large mailings.
      •Individuals who can carry out program research, i.e. identify and catalogue         resources in the region.
      •Individuals who can create contact lists and other needed compilations.

•Why isn’t the entire Colman School Building being utilized for the Museum?
   The two floors of affordable housing rental units are designed to address an Urban League goal of offering high quality, affordable housing for artists, historians, teachers, and others who would be attracted by the activities of the Museum. At 17,000 sq. ft., the Museum will be one of the largest community museums in the Puget Sound area.

•Why did the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle (ULMS) decide to renovate the Colman School Building rather than tear it down and build a new structure?
   The 1909 Colman School has received both state and city landmarks designation as a historic site. Local and state community responses support the positions of the Landmarks Boards.

•What is the target family income for potential renters of the housing units within the Urban League Village? The target rental rate?
   The target family income is between $24,000/yr and $42,000/yr, with target rents between $620/mo for studios and $940/mo for two bedroom apartments.

•Will there be an association for renters to set/maintain standards?
   Probably not. Standards will be maintained and enforced by the property management firm selected by ULMS.

•Why are rental units being constructed rather than condominiums?
   Projected sales price of condominiums would not cover the cost of developing the units.

•How will profits from rental income be used?
   No significant profits from the rental housing are projected. The modest cash flow will be used to pay off the tax exempt bonds issued to help cover the cost of constructing the housing.

•What is the total number of parking spaces for both the Museum and housing?
   There are 82 total parking spaces on Urban League property to be dedicated to Museum visitors and housing residents. In addition, there will be 35 spaces on the public park property to the east of the Urban League site that will serve as general public use parking.

•What plans provide for wheelchair accessibility to both the Museum and housing?    Plans surpass American with Disability Act (ADA) requirements.

•What types of retail services will be available in the Museum?    Museum Bookstore/Gift Shop and Café.

•What is planned specific to area school children?    Programming is in its earliest stages. The Museum Program Committee will formulate all education programs as well as create exhibition and program goals. Working with the region’s public schools and Boys & Girls Clubs will ensure proposals are appropriate and integrated with school curriculum.

•How does one contribute artifacts to the Museum?    The Museum Program Committee is scheduled to finalize its accession policy by Winter 2006.

•What will be the policy for rental of the Museum related to special events?
   Specific policy related to special events rental is targeted for the latter part of 2006. There will be opportunities for rental of spaces for special events.

•What are NAAM’s general plans for ensuring financial stability for the project once construction of the building is completed?
   NAAM has a Business Plan which was revised in September 2005 outlining funding & revenue options that will guide the Museum in creating a stable base for its operations.

•What is the minority group participation in the design/construction of the Urban League Village?
   Minority group participation in the Urban League Village/NAAM project includes the DKA architectural firm which is African American owned, Barrientos, Inc. developers which is Hispanic owned and General Contractor Leajak Construction Inc. which is African American owned. Target minority participation for construction of the project is 40%.

•What community outreach involvement has taken place since the inception of the project?
   NAAM has documented community outreach involvement beginning with the June 2001 Seattle City Council approval of a $400,000 feasibility study to current/ongoing project-related activity.

•What are NAAM’s plans for community outreach involvement in the future?
      •The development of a Community Awareness & Marketing Action Plan which will         interface with a broad base of community groups in the Puget Sound area         including: The Museum of History & Industry, the University of Washington,         Technology Access Foundation, Black Heritage Society, Historic Seattle, Seattle         Art Museum, Music Works, Experience Music Project, the Seattle Pioneer         Society, Nordic Heritage Museum and the Wing Luke Museum.
      •The development of a Museum Program Committee consisting of key community         contacts which will serve as one of the principal outreach vehicles for getting the         community involved in Museum programs.
      •NAAM website currently at the ULMS web address.