Gov. Gregoire signs funding bill for viaduct replacement
I was honored to join Governor Chris Gregoire on May 12 for the signing of Senate Bill 5768, the legislation to fund the replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a deep-bore tunnel and surface roadway improvements.
I am proud to have helped negotiate this solution. I made many trips to Olympia over the last year to meet with Governor Gregoire, former County Executive Ron Sims, Mayor Greg Nickels and legislative leaders as part of the Viaduct Oversight Committee.
The viaduct plan represents a creative solution to a longstanding problem. The Alaskan Way Viaduct has long been an ugly, noisy wall separating downtown from the waterfront. The deep-bore tunnel and a surface boulevard—combined with Spokane Street Viaduct improvements and a new stadium interchange for State Route 99—will maintain access for West Seattle and South King County residents to and through downtown Seattle. And, critically, because the tunnel will not share the alignment of the old viaduct structure, we also have the opportunity to maintain traffic on the SR 99 corridor during construction.
Working with community to keep Evergreen Pool open
I am currently working with members of the North Highline community to find ways to keep the Evergreen Pool in operation.
Funding for the pool runs out at the end of June.
I had a very good meeting on May 19 with pool supporters. They spoke of the many user groups—including veterans in rehabilitation, school swim teams, seniors, and kids—who would be displaced by the pool’s closure.
Their proposal is to keep the pool open by shifting the operation of the facility from King County Parks to an outside agency or non-profit. The pool costs roughly $190,000 to operate for six months.
I will join the 34th District state legislators to convene a strategy meeting soon to discuss short-term and long-term funding solutions.
Burien annexation of North Highline on August ballot
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| On this map, the proposed Burien annexation area is shown in yellow. |
Residents of unincorporated King County who live in the southern portion of the North Highline community will vote on a proposal that they join the city of Burien on the August 18 primary ballot.
We have discussed and debated governance issues for this area since I joined the King County Council in 2002. This will finally give voters the opportunity to weigh in on the future of their community.
This proposal is the product of a lot of hard work by the city of Burien, the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council, King County, and many citizens in the annexation area. The proposal has been approved by the Washington State Boundary Review Board of King County, and negotiations have been completed regarding the continued provision of fire protection services in the area.
Constantine, Ferguson want higher-paid, non-union employees to pay part of health premiums
King County employees who earn more than the county’s mean income would be required to pay for part of their medical coverage under an ordinance I introduced on May 11. Council Vice Chair Bob Ferguson co-sponsored this legislation.
The spiraling cost of employee health benefits is a major cause of financial stress for King County and other employers. The total cost of benefits for King County employees rose 35 percent in the last five years—from $158 million in 2005 to $214 million in 2009.
The ordinance proposes a formula for sharing the cost of medical benefits under which non-represented employees would contribute 2 percent of the amount by which their annual income exceeds the King County mean income. It is estimated that this step alone could save as much as $1 million per year.
Especially in these tough economic times, King County needs to show taxpayers that we are working to cut costs, just like families and businesses.
Constantine ordinance designed to help county better compete for federal stimulus money
On May 11, the King County Council unanimously adopted my legislation to help King County and local cities better compete for federal economic stimulus grant funding.
In mid-February, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) – the largest single infusion of stimulus funding ($575.3 billion) and tax cuts ($211.9 billion) into the economy in American history.
Federal stimulus funding is estimated to create or preserve some 75,000 Washington state jobs—by population, King County’s share would be about 23,000 jobs. The size and scope of this federal funding package constitutes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for local jurisdictions.
April showers can’t dampen spirit of King County Water Taxi riders
The King County Water Taxi braved April showers to give the West Seattle-to-downtown passenger ferry a successful month in its first full April in operation.
This answers the question of whether the Water Taxi can thrive during cooler weather—and that answer is an emphatic ‘Yes.’ These numbers bode well for a successful move to year-round Water Taxi operation next year.
A total of 20,361 passengers rode the Water Taxi during the sometimes-stormy month. This includes the Sunday, April 5, opening day on which 3,429 passengers took advantage of free rides to set a one-day Water Taxi ridership record.
Around 59 percent of the weekday ridership came during peak hour runs, showing that the Water Taxi’s regular summer-season commuters wasted no time getting back on the boat.
Comment on Duwamish Waterway Cleanup study
The draft Feasibility Study for the cleanup of the Duwamish Waterway, which identifies and evaluates alternatives to clean up 5 miles of the river, is out for public review.
Information on the document and how to comment is available at http://www.ldwg.org. Comments will be accepted through June 22nd.
Council program provides vans for non-profit groups
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I visited Highline West Seattle Mental Health last year for a van presentation ceremony. |
On May 26, the King County Council voted to approve the distribution of three retired vans from the King County fleet to the Vashon School District, Providence Elizabeth House, and the White Center Community Development Association (for use by the Got Green/SWITCH project).
This program isn’t a giveaway: the recipient organization must sign a contract stating that the van will be used to provide transportation to people traditionally underserved by public transit, including children, seniors, low-income people and the disabled.
Since 1996, the King County Council has distributed over 250 retired vans to various non-profit organizations or governmental entities. King County vans are retired and prepared for donation after eight years in service.
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If you have any questions or comments, please email me, dow.constantine@kingcounty.gov.