Dear Neighbors:

As you may know, every position on the King County Council is up for election this fall, including my own. Candidates for public office, such as myself, are limited in how they may spend public money in election season. Because of this, I am restricted by law in how I can communicate with you. Until the fall elections, I will be unable to use County resources to send out print newsletters, host town meetings, or walk your neighborhoods on Council business. I will, however, still be able to continue my outreach efforts by distributing my e-newsletter and attending community events. I wanted to let you know of this temporary change. Please be in touch!

It is an honor to serve you on the King County Council. Please contact me with any questions or comments. To unsubscribe, please see directions at the end of this newsletter.

Southwest Airlines at Boeing Field?

I have received many emails relating to the potential move for Southwest Airlines from Sea-Tac International Airport to Boeing Field. I share your concerns and I am particularly interested in the impacts on neighboring communities and how this potential move could financially impact both passengers and other carriers who operate out of Sea-Tac. The King County Council will address this issue and I welcome your feedback.

Update: Preserving the Waterfront Streetcar

I have a great interest in preserving the waterfront streetcar and have spent time this spring working on the Transportation Committee to find solutions. The Seattle Art Museum plans to develop the land that currently houses the streetcar maintenance barn. The City of Seattle, King County, and the Port of Seattle have worked to create a plan to relocate the maintenance barn and ensure that the Olympic Sculpture Park and waterfront streetcar co-exist.

Bob supports preserving the waterfront streetcar.

The Sculpture Park will be 8.5 acres, located directly on the waterfront and free to the public. The streetcar maintenance barn is in the middle of this area and must be relocated if the Museum's plan is to be fully realized.

King County Executive Ron Sims and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels recently unveiled a plan for construction of the new maintenance facility on the existing streetcar line in the Pioneer Square neighborhood at Occidental Avenue near Second Avenue. The new facility would replace a parking lot. The streetcar barn would be part of a block-long mixed-use building containing the facility at street level with housing above, parking underground, and a cafe offering views into the streetcar facility.

I am encouraged by this new proposal to relocate the streetcar maintenance facility and look forward to hearing more details on the cost and timing of such a project. In the meantime, I welcome your input on the proposal to relocate the facility to the Pioneer Square area and to keep our waterfront streetcar in service.

New Elections Facility Proposed

Currently, King County Elections uses three separate facilities for all election operations. In April, I co-sponsored legislation that asked the Executive to create a space plan to consolidate election facilities into one location to create a seamless election facility. Unfortunately, a space plan for King County Elections has yet to be distributed to the Council. Instead, Executive Sims recently proposed purchasing a site for a new elections facility. The projected cost is estimated at $23 million.

The County is already building a new downtown office building that could potentially meet the needs of our Elections department. I am working to see if we can consolidate our elections department in the new building to improve the department and save taxpayer dollars. I will work on the Budget Committee to ensure that the final decision is in the best interest of the Elections department and King County taxpayers. I will keep you posted as this issue is considered.

More Information:

Sims wants $23 million building to house King County elections
The Seattle P-I – July 6, 2005

North Lake Union Update

In May, two proposals were received for the potential sale of the Metro-owned property known as the “tank farm” located in Wallingford, one block away from Lake Union and Gas Works Park. The two proposals received include Touchstone Corporation, which proposed a replacement facility and $3.05 million, and Renova, which proposed $4.4 million. The evaluation committee recommended Touchstone Corporation as the selected bidder. This comes as no surprise to myself and those in the community who have followed this issue closely—the potential sale of this property was instigated by an unsolicited offer by Touchstone in 2003.

The Council wants to sell this publicly owned Lake Union view property.

In February, the King County Council voted to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the eventual sale of the view property. The Wallingford Community and a County-appointed stakeholder group opposed this sale. Unfortunately, I was the only Councilmember to vote against issuing an RFP, the first step towards selling the property. I continue to support the community view that we should keep this parcel in public hands for the eventual use as a community park or center.

The Council must approve the Touchstone proposal before the property can be sold. I am waiting to see a space plan for this property, promised by Metro Transit, before we vote to approve the sale. I expect the proposal to be transmitted by the Executive in July, with action by the Council in August. I will keep you updated on how you can participate once we know the committee and public testimony schedule.

More Information:

County takes step to sell land near Gas Works Park
The Seattle Times—February 8, 2005

County votes to sell land near Gas Works Park for possible development
The Seattle P-I—February 8, 2005

County seeks to sell property near Gas Works for $11 million
The Seattle Times—February 2, 2005

Bob donated a van to Seattle Youth Garden Works last year to support homeless youth.

Does Your Non-Profit Need a Van?

I am pleased to announce that I will be able to donate two retired Metro Van Pool vans this fall. If you know of an organization located in Northeast Seattle with 501(c)3 status that could benefit from a van, please ask them to contact my office for an application. The van must be used to address the mobility needs of elderly, disabled, low-income, or young County residents. If you have questions, please contact Doug Hodson of Council staff at (206) 296-1668 or my office.

Walk for Rice

On Saturday, June 18, 2005, I had the pleasure to send off the runners and walkers at the 2.5 mile Walk for Rice at Seward Park. The 15th annual Walk for Rice is a fundraising event to benefit the food bank operated by Asian Counseling & Referral Service (ACRS). I served as honorary co-chair of this event that raised valuable dollars to help feed thousands of people in our community. To volunteer or find out more information about ACRS, please contact volunteer@acrs.org or (206) 695-7600.

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Phone: (206) 296-1002 | Fax: (206) 296-0198 | TTY/TDD: (206) 296-1024 | Toll Free: (800) 325-6165
Mailing Address: King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Room 1200, Seattle, WA 98104-3272