Kenmore City Council votes unanimously to support Sound Transit 3 ballot measure

All seven Kenmore City Council members voted to approve support of the Sound Transit 3 ballot measure, voting 7-0 to adopt Resolution No. 16-284. The Kenmore City Council recognizes the magnitude of bringing expanded transit through ST3 to Kenmore, including the long-term impact on the Northshore region and the number of citizens and businesses that will benefit from increased mobility. The City Council put strategic and focused resources into advocating for these projects.

June 30, 2016 3:37 pm
City of Kenmore - Contributed art
City of Kenmore - Contributed art

All seven Kenmore City Council members voted to approve support of the Sound Transit 3 ballot measure, voting 7-0 to adopt Resolution No. 16-284. The Kenmore City Council recognizes the magnitude of bringing expanded transit through ST3 to Kenmore, including the long-term impact on the Northshore region and the number of citizens and businesses that will benefit from increased mobility. The City Council put strategic and focused resources into advocating for these projects.

In 2015, the Kenmore City Council directed city staff to advocate for the inclusion of projects in the ST3 package that would expand transit services to Kenmore. The Sound Transit Board recognized the value of the projects, which were included in the final ST3 ballot proposal:

  • Bus Rapid Transit on Northeast 145th Street (SR 523) and SR 522 connecting with the Light Rail Station at Northeast 145th Street
  • Light Rail Study on SR 522
  • Structured Parking along the SR 522 Corridor

Bus Rapid Transit and structured parking would be among the earliest ST3 projects completed in 2024.

“The city of Kenmore continues its efforts to support projects that will help move people to and from Kenmore and around the region. We are pleased to have three projects along the north Lake Washington corridor listed in the ST3 plan,” said Mayor David Baker. “Thank you to the 522 Transit Now! coalition and our neighboring cities for working so diligently to set the awareness for a more efficient multimodal transportation and safety plan on 522.”

“It’s only through collaboration and a shared vision of Kenmore’s future as a keystone in our larger regional community that we’ll play a large role in helping our region grow and prosper,” said Councilmember Nigel Herbig. “ST3 is crucial to achieving that vision.”

The ST3 plan includes the expansion of mass transit in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties and will be considered by voters in November 2016. This measure would expand light-rail, commuter-rail, and bus rapid transit service to connect population, employment and growth centers.

The city of Kenmore worked alongside neighboring Lake Washington communities to align transit priorities. Together with the cities of Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Bothell and Woodinville, Kenmore submitted a joint letter to Sound Transit in support of the “draft” package which is now the final ST3 package.

The success of the inclusion of key projects in Kenmore in the ST3 project list is largely a result of the 522 Transit NOW! Coalition, which is comprised of business leaders and residents. Members of the coalition spent countless hours attending Sound Transit meetings and spreading awareness about the ST3 process around the community.

To learn more about the ST3 plan, view the June 23 news release here http://soundtransit3.org/news/board-approves-st3-plan-for-november-ballot.