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New Options for Replacing the Youth Services Center
In 2008, King County’s dilapidated Youth Services Center was identified as our highest priority capital project. The facility provides juvenile justice services and family support for those navigating the legal system. It has significant maintenance needs and many of the building’s major systems are beyond the end of their useful life. There are a number of potential safety and health concerns, and the facility lacks adequate space for attorneys and caseworkers to meet privately with client families and children. You can read more about the condition of the Youth Services Center here.
Bob and Superior Court Judges at the Youth Services Center last year
I continue to search for a solution to replace the Youth Services Center. Given King County’s continued budget shortfalls in this tough economy, financing important major capital projects is a challenge. That is why Executive Dow Constantine and I recently called for a new approach to replace the Youth Services Center.
The County is asking private developers to offer ideas for creative, cost-neutral solutions for a new juvenile justice facility. Ideas could include a potential transfer of property or a public-private development project. The County Facilities Management Division recently issued a Request for Qualifications/Concepts asking private developers to submit their ideas.
As Chair of the Council’s Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee, I recently held a briefing on corrections officer safety within the County detention facilities. The context for the discussion included the tragic death of a guard at the hands of an inmate at the state’s Monroe Correctional Complex and two significant disturbances in King County correctional facilities in the last year:
Last March, there was a mass disturbance at the King County Correctional Facility in downtown Seattle when a group of inmates disobeyed orders and destroyed jail property. Assistance from outside law enforcement was required to quell the incident. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured.
Earlier this year, an inmate assaulted a correctional officer at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. The officer sustained very serious injuries and three other officers were injured in the process of restraining the inmate.
The committee heard from Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention officials about procedures and trainings implemented to improve the safety of jail guards and other staff working at the King County Jail, the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, and the King County Youth Detention Facility. A video of the briefing is available here.
I take the safety of officers, inmates, and staff in our correctional facilities very seriously. I will continue to work on this issue and will hold follow up briefings in the coming weeks.
New Bus Service on State Route 522
Bob regularly commutes by bus on the 41 between downtown and the Northgate Transit Center
With tolling scheduled to begin on SR 520 this spring, traffic is likely to increase on SR 522 (Bothell Way/Lake City Way) when people choose to drive around Lake Washington rather than pay the toll. To mitigate the increased traffic, I sponsored legislation to increase bus service along the SR 522 corridor.
This new commuter service is now up and running. The new Metro Route 309 provides weekday peak-period express service from Kenmore to South Lake Union and First Hill employment centers. It starts at the Kenmore Park & Ride and travels along SR 522 to the I-5 express lanes, exiting at Mercer Street and continuing to First Hill. There are three morning southbound trips and three evening northbound trips.
I take the bus to work and realize that there are additional service needs in your neighborhood. While King County’s budget situation remains challenging, I am committed to improving bus service in North King County.
Update: Veterans & Human Services Levy Renewal Takes a Big Step Forward
In my previous e-News, I detailed my proposal to renew the King County Veterans and Human Services Levy. Since then, regional leaders have weighed in on the proposal with the Regional Policy Committee recently voting unanimously to support levy renewal. You can read more about this exciting development here.
The next step for the proposal is consideration by the Council’s Budget Committee. For the levy to continue, the County Council must vote to place renewal of the levy on the ballot in 2011 and a majority of King County voters must support it.
Scheduled Burke Gilman Trail Closure
This spring, King County will begin a safety improvement project along the oldest and narrowest section of the Burke Gilman Trail. The County will redevelop the deteriorating two-mile trail segment through Lake Forest Park from NE 145th Street to Logboom Park in Kenmore. The project is funded by the voter-approved Parks Expansion Levy.
During redevelopment, the trail will be temporarily closed to protect the safety of trail users, homeowners, and construction workers. To reduce the impacts of the closure on trail users, King County is planning a potential detour route and providing additional bike lockers at the Kenmore Park and Ride. Construction is anticipated to be completed by October 2011.
I recently met with the Defender Initiative project at Seattle University School of Law to debrief on its first annual Defender Conference. The Defender Initiative plans to establish this conference as an annual gathering of defenders and others committed to improving public defense, and the meeting was to discuss how the inaugural conference went.
I attended the “Kids are Our Business” breakfast hosted by the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center. The event celebrated 35 years of hope and healing at the center and brought people together who share the goal of ending sexual assault in King County.
Last week, I spoke at a meeting of the Shoreline Council of Neighborhoods to provide an update on a number of County issues. Among the topics discussed were the County budget, the Veterans and Human Services Levy renewal, Point Wells, and Metro Transit.
King Conservation District Election – Deadline March 15
The King Conservation District plays an important role in environmental protection by providing technical assistance and funding for stewardship efforts by landowners in our area. The District is holding an internet-based election for its Board of Supervisor position (#2). You must complete the registration process and vote by March 15. As an alternative to voting online, the district is also providing a one-day, “in-person” voting option at its Renton office on Tuesday, March 15, between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
As a separate government agency, the King Conservation District is not part of King County government and the election is not run by King County Elections. Visit the District's website at http://www.kingcd.org/new_ele.htm for more information and details. For additional information, contact Susan Wermus at 425-282-1900.
North King County Green Business Conference
The Shoreline Green Business Program is organizing a conference about green business, “Going Green to Save Green: Getting More Bank for Your Buck.” The conference will provide small business owners with information on ways to increase profits and reduce costs and environmental impacts. The conference is on Wednesday, March 23, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Shoreline Community College. Get more details here.
Representatives of 25 nonprofit agencies serving the downtown area (and beyond) will be available to describe their programs and volunteer needs. From 3 to 4 p.m. there will be a presentation by Alison Eisinger, Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness.
For information, click here or call (206) 448-8226.
In my 
This spring, King County will begin a safety improvement project along the oldest and narrowest section of the