Sound Transit recommendations could save taxpayers hundreds of millions
As we all patiently await the July 18 opening of Sound Transit’s Link rail line, I have some very good news regarding the future of light rail.
The Sound Transit Operations Task Force, which I chair, has forwarded recommendations to the full Sound Transit Board of Directors that could save the regional transit agency from $300 million to $463 million over the next three decades.
Among the proposals are expediting construction of a maintenance facility for Sounder commuter rail trains (thus allowing Sound Transit to move this service in-house) and the adoption of a revised board policy to ensure that new Sound Transit facilities are designed with standardized parts that are low in cost to maintain and repair, and that will last for many years before replacement.
This task force was charged by the full Sound Transit Board to find ways to increase productivity and service while holding down costs. I think we have done the job well.
Downtown Burien moves into the future with Town Square opening
I was honored to join Congressman Jim McDermott, a host of local officials, and about 200 city residents at the June 13 opening ceremonies for the Burien Town Square project.
The ceremony marked the formal grand opening of the building that houses the new Burien City Hall and Burien Library, along with a neighboring condominium/retail project, park and plaza, and transit center. I was pleased to join in the ribbon cutting (but am still wondering why I got the smallest pair of scissors!).
King County Metro was a major player in this project: the new $12.5 million transit station features six bus bays and a 340-vehicle parking lot. It also takes bus loading off surface streets to increase rider safety.
Most of all, it was a proud day for Burien residents. As I told the audience that day, Burien has shown other communities interested in redevelopment that “this is how you do it."
Whistleblower ordinance will protect County employees who report wrongdoing
Enlisting the help of our front-line employees in cutting costs and reforming King County government has always been one of my goals as a Councilmember.
One of the best ways we can encourage more accountability and transparency is to create the safest environment that we can for employees to come forward when they suspect governmental wrongdoing.
My ordinance to strengthen King County’s protections for employee “whistleblowers” was unanimously approved by the Council on June 29. It expands protections for the reporting of more types of governmental misconduct and broadens the definition of what is considered a retaliatory action. Claims of retaliation will also now be investigated by the County Ombudsman, instead of by supervisors in the department within which the alleged retaliation occurred.
This proposal would give King County one of the strongest whistleblower codes in the state. As the state’s most populous county, we have set an example by passing this ordinance and I hope that other counties will follow our example.
Water Taxi sets June ridership record
The King County Water Taxi had another record month in June, with a total of 33,865 riders carried by the popular West Seattle-to-downtown passenger-only ferry.
The ridership represents an increase of 12.7 percent over June 2008, in which 30,046 passengers rode the Water Taxi. The year-to-date Water Taxi ridership is 85,784, as compared with 59,386 at the end of June 2008.
The Water Taxi also continued its MVP role for Mariners baseball fans returning home after games—a total of 410 people rode the four boats from Pier 55 to West Seattle’s Seacrest Park following the Mariners’ matinee (1:40 p.m. start time) win over the San Diego Padres.
Mariners’ fans are a big part of our loyal Water Taxi ridership and we are happy to give them the opportunity to skip the traffic jams and take a relaxing ride home after the game. We will work to replicate the success of our West Seattle route as the King County Ferry District adds demonstration service on other routes on Puget Sound and Lake Washington.
For more information on the King County Water Taxi, call (206) 553-3000 (TTY 206-684-1739) or go to www.kingcounty.gov/metro. Riders can check on the operating status of the Water Taxi by calling (206) 205-3866.
Seahurst Park science center groundbreaking
I was a featured speaker at the June 23 groundbreaking ceremonies for the Environmental Science Center’s new $1.2 million building in Burien's Seahurst Park.
Construction will begin immediately and the new learning center will be completed early next year.
During 2008, the ESC taught more than 10,000 children and adults—mostly K-12 students from South King County’s public schools—about the natural world around us. Most of these students come from schools where more than 75 percent of the student population qualifies for a free or reduced lunch program. South King County has the most kids, the most diversity, and the most poverty of any part of the county.
Funding the center has been provided mainly by private foundations, corporations, and governmental entities, including King County, the city of Burien, the State of Washington, and the King Conservation District. Former state legislator Georgette Valle and Burien Mayor Joan McGilton have been among the stalwart supporters of this worthy project.
We want your opinions on King County’s future
What could be done to best serve your needs as a King County resident? How should we prioritize scarce resources in tough economic times? What values should guide county decision-making?
King County wants your opinion on these and other issues. A series of public workshops will be held in July to shape a vision and direction for the future of King County government through the creation of a countywide strategic plan.
The meetings will be held on:
• July 14 at the Shoreline Center, 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline;
• July 16 at the Preston Community Center, 8625 310th Ave SE, Issaquah;
• July 28, at the River Rock Grill and Ale House, 4050 Maple Valley Highway, Renton; and
• July 30, at the Hall at Fauntleroy, 9131 California Ave SW, West Seattle
All meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m.
For more information and directions to the workshop locations please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/strategicplan.
King County scores big in stimulus money chaseKing County has been awarded nine federal economic stimulus grants totaling almost $79 million, funds which will be used to create or retain 192 jobs, according to a report issued by the County Executive’s office.
The report results from my successful legislation to maximize the benefits to King County from federal stimulus funding that the King County Council unanimously approved on May 11.
Another 22 county stimulus applications—totaling $78 million and creating another 602 potential jobs—are pending and King County has also worked with regional and national partners on preparing another nine grant applications.
By adopting an organized game plan for pursuing federal stimulus funds, King County has already realized significant benefits, especially in job creation and retention. In these tough economic times, it is imperative we focus significant effort on bringing job opportunities to the citizens of King County.
A new Web site has been established to keep the public apprised of King County’s progress in applying for and accepting stimulus fund grants – visit recovery.kingcounty.gov.
White Center Square project will create 60 jobs
The revitalization of the White Center community received a major boost with the May 28 groundbreaking for an $11 million retail plaza in the neighborhood’s business district that utilizes a $6.25 million federal loan.
There is very tight competition for these federal funds. This project won support from a review panel that includes representatives from across King County because it will create new retail space and new jobs, while providing a new home for a longtime community business, the Vong family’s Asian market.
This retail project will bring 60 new jobs to White Center.
We have seen major public investments nearby—most notably in the form of Greenbridge project, White Center Heights Elementary School, and White Center Heights Park. King County has been a big part of this effort. I am proud to celebrate another step forward for the White Center neighborhood.
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If you have any questions or comments, please email me, dow.constantine@kingcounty.gov.