By SUSAN PARK

You see them everywhere all over Seattle. Wedgwood has them, Wallingford just got them. And now, even Lake City has banners.

It's all a part of a beautification project designed to promote unity and pride in the neighborhood. The idea is that a neighborhood that works together is a neighborhood that promotes shoppers and discourages crime.

For Lake City, the battle has been all up hill. Despite a negative image, it is experiencing a rapid revitalization with new development, fully occupied store fronts, and successful new businesses.

About five years ago when the Lake City Chamber was wavering, Lake City Travel owner Suzy Smith decided to form the Lake City Task Force. Smith says she wanted to "blow some wind into the sails" of Lake City.

"The banners were one of my very first wish lists," says Smith. "I'd seen it up in Wedgwood and I really liked the look. It shows cohesiveness."

Smith says she set it in the budget from the very beginning. Frank Fadden of Clark Office Supply donated proceeds from recycled tonor cartridges. AA Rentals offered free use of equipment. After amassing enough donations, Smith was finally ready to order banners.

Enter Roy Ovenell, owner of Roy Ovenell insurance. "Roy coordinated the whole thing," says Smith. Ovenell applied for a small and simple neighborhood matching grant of $12,000 from the City of Seattle to pay half the costs.

The two browsed catalogs and settled on the design because it reflected Thornton Creek. Smith says they chose the colors of emerald green and royal blue because the green represents the "Emerald City" and blue reflects the creek. Also, it's the color of the Seahawks, jokes Smith, an avid fan.

Ovenell ordered the banners from Instant Sign in Maple Leaf, who gave them a discount. Last December, Ovenell, Fadden, Tom Payne of Watch and Battery, and Miguel Blanco of Alley Chevrolet installed the brackets.

In late April, Ovenell, Payne, and Nivek Gallacci of Cranium's Cool Collectibles spent 10 hours one Sunday hanging and tying the 60 banners. "It was a long day, but we got them all done," says Ovenell.

The banners can be seen flying in the wind along Lake City Way from NE 110th to NE 137th.

"Just another task completed by the Task Force," says Smith.