PACE Capital Campaign Kicks Into High Gear with Announcement of Prominent Co-Chairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cheryl Engstrom, for PACE, 425.487.0682 or 
BELLEVUE, Wash. (Feb. 15, 2006) – The capital campaign for Performing Arts Center Eastside (PACE) takes a major leap forward today with the appointment of two prominent Eastside couples as co-chairs for the Center's $100 Million Capital and Endowment Campaign. Pioneers in the senior housing industry, Karen and Charles "Chuck" Lytle have taken on the challenge of leading the ambitious fundraising campaign, along with long-time PACE advocates and developers of The Bellevue Collection (Bellevue Place, Lincoln Square and Bellevue Square), Betty and Kemper Freeman, Jr. Both couples are notable for a long list of personal and professional achievements.
Karen and Chuck Lytle
Demonstrating their personal commitment to PACE, both the Lytles and Freemans have made significant gifts to the Campaign. In 2001, Kemper Development Company purchased and donated the property at the corner of NE 10th Street and 106th Avenue NE for the site of the new performing arts center.
The Lytles, with their acceptance of the role of co-chairs, also pledged the Campaign's first PaceSetter gift of $1M. "We have lived and worked on the Eastside for 40 years," said Karen Lytle. "It is exciting what's happening in Bellevue and what Kemper and others are doing to turn Bellevue into an important city. We are elated and excited to serve as Campaign co-chairs with the Freemans, and to make a meaningful gift, because we feel that PACE is a great addition to our community."
Chuck Lytle added, "The Eastside is no longer the stepchild to Seattle and should have a viable performing arts center. What excites us about this project is that PACE will offer the opportunity for the Seattle Opera, the Pacific Northwest Ballet and other regional arts organizations to perform for audiences on this side of the Lake."
Betty and Kemper Freeman
Kemper Freeman's contributions to the Eastside community are numerous, including serving on the board of Overlake Hospital, chairing the capital campaign for the Bellevue Arts Museum, serving as past president of Bellevue Rotary Club, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, and the Bellevue Downtown Association, and currently serving as President of the International Council of Shopping Centers. He is a driving force in Eastside economic development and transportation reform.
Betty Freeman has been active with the Overlake Hospital Foundation board, the Standing Ovation advisory board, Children's Hospital Guild, and the Seattle Junior League. Betty and Kemper are ardent supporters of the development of an Eastside performing arts center, beginning this quest more than two decades ago. Kemper is a founding member of the board of PACE and Betty is a founding member of The Act One Guild, a volunteer fundraising arm for PACE.
"They (the Lytles) are a perfect match for Betty and me," said Freeman. "They have similar passions and believe, as we do, that PACE is a vital part of the growth and development of our Eastside community. We look forward to working with them on this dynamic and important project."
The Lytles are active supporters of the arts and have served on many boards and campaigns to raise funds for worthwhile causes. Currently Karen Lytle serves as president of Seniors Making Art, a nonprofit organization founded by artist Dale Chihuly. Chuck Lytle has served on a number of boards including Swedish Medical Center Foundation and PONCHO, and is a Past President of Washington State Special Olympics.
In 1976, they formed Leisure Care and Lytle Enterprises, known for pioneering changes in the way retirement communities operate by focusing on the needs of residents. Lytle Enterprises sold its management company Leisure Care in 2003. Lytle Enterprises continues to develop and add new projects to its current portfolio of 29 properties that provide housing and related services to retirees. The Bellettini, a $63 million luxury independent living residence on the corner of NE 12th Street and 108th Avenue NE, is slated to open in summer of 2007.
The PACE Campaign co-chairs will lead the effort over the next several months to bring in many PaceSetter gifts of $1M and above during the pre-construction period of the Campaign. A gift of $20M will give naming rights to the Center.
"The size of this Campaign dictated the need for a co-chairmanship," said Skip Rowley, PACE chairman of the board. "This is the largest campaign in the history of the Eastside and, to be successful, we will need the caliber of leadership that these two 'superstar' couples have demonstrated in community, philanthropy, and business."
With groundbreaking planned for fall of 2006, the formation of the co-chairmanship at this time is crucial. "Our goal is to have a substantial portion of the $77M in estimated construction costs pledged by groundbreaking," said Rowley. "We are thrilled to have these two power-house couples leading the campaign."
Performing Arts Center Eastside is a 2000-seat premier regional center for the performing arts. Its mission is to enrich cultural life with a wide diversity of live entertainment, arts, and education. PACE will stimulate the arts region-wide; attract new audiences; heighten arts awareness and education; provide a performance home for select area arts organizations; and serve as a cultural center for the Eastside.
PACE plans to open in late 2008, and it will be located in downtown Bellevue on the corner of NE 10th Street and 106th Avenue NE. The $100 Million Capital and Endowment Campaign has raised $14M with 100% board participation and the gift of land valued at $8M.
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- Millions to spare? Big-name gifts await (Seattle Times, 2 Mar 06)