Des Moines Memorial Drive Corridor Management Plan

Rehabilitation and Enhancement Guidelines

Download the Des Moines Memorial Drive Corridor Management Plan:

• Full report (14MB .pdf)
• Executive summary (545KB .pdf)

Rehabilitating and enhancing the "Living Road of Remembrance"

The Des Moines Memorial Drive Corridor Management Plan provides a framework for rehabilitation and enhancement of the "Living Road of Remembrance" established in 1921-22 to honor and memorialize men and women from Washington State who gave their lives during World War I. The original memorial, consisting of approximately 10 miles of elm tree-lined brick road, has experienced many changes and challenges since the 1920's. Many trees have been lost due to disease, road and utility projects or improper pruning, and the remaining trees are reaching the end of their natural life span.

World War I Veterans plant a Memorial Elm tree. Enlarged view, 414KB .jpg

About the Advisory Committee

The Des Moines Memorial Drive Advisory Committee was created in 2000 by an interlocal agreement between King County and the cities of Burien, Normandy Park, SeaTac, and Des Moines to advocate for preservation of the Drive and to serve as the oversight entity for preparation of this plan. In addition to the five jurisdictions, the committee includes representatives from other agencies, advocacy groups, and citizen activists dedicated to achieving memorial rehabilitation. View a list of Des Moines Memorial Drive Plan Advisory Committee members. (164KB .pdf)

Goals of the Des Moines Memorial Drive Plan

The Des Moines Memorial Drive Plan has three goals: To establish guidelines for comprehensive rehabilitation, enhancement and promotion of the original living road of remembrance; To comprehensively identify and document all intrinsic qualities located in the study area; To establish and implement a long-term management plan. In addition, the plan is designed to meet the special requirements of national and state scenic byway and heritage corridors programs and to provide the basis for nominating Des Moines Memorial Drive to national, state, and local historic registers.

Plans for the new Memorial Marker. Enlarged view, 102KB .jpg

Next steps

The partner jurisdictions are currently in the process of presenting the plan to their respective Councils. The next steps required to implement the corridor management plan include pursuing "Heritage Tour Route" designation for the drive, developing a capital funding strategy and applying for grants, and incorporating the memorial rehabilitation guidelines into upcoming road projects. In 2005, King County will construct the first road improvement project (located between South 99th Street and South 128th Street) to utilize the plan's recommendations.

For more information

For more information, please contact:

Ruth Harvey
Project/Program Manager IV
CIP and Planning Section
Road Services Division
201 S. Jackson Street
MS: KSC-TR-0137
Seattle, WA 98104-3856

Updated: Oct. 5, 2007