What's Happening in District Four--March 2009

Councilmember
Larry Phillips
Council District 4
516 Third Ave., Rm. 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206-296-1004
Toll Free: 800-325-6165
TTY/TDD: 206-296-1024
Fax: 206-296-0198

Serving the communities of Belltown, the Denny Triangle, South Lake Union, Eastlake, Uptown, Queen Anne, Interbay, Magnolia, Ballard, Crown Hill, and the western portions of Fremont, Phinney Ridge, Greenwood, Broadview, First Hill and Capitol Hill.

Light Rail Tunnel Bid Comes in Under Budget

Sound Transit opened good news when the agency unsealed two bids for the largest contract on the University Link light rail extension. The apparent low bid to dig twin tunnels from the University of Washington to Capitol Hill was more than $86 million below the Sound Transit engineers' estimate. Read more.

Phillips Proclaims "Week of the Uninsured" to Raise Awareness

With 65,000 kids uninsured in Washington state, the King County Council advocated for the need for all uninsured children to have access to the State Children's Health Insurance Program by proclaiming March 23 to 27 "The Week of the Uninsured." Read more.

Council Seeks Efficiencies through Expanded Performance Audit of Metro

An ongoing audit of King County Metro Transit was expanded today by the King County Council to examine the agency's management and operations, in order to find the most efficiencies to keep the most buses on the street. Read more.

Sound Transit Plans for Transit-oriented Development at Capitol Hill Light Rail Station

After listening to suggestions from the Capitol Hill community and the city of Seattle, Sound Transit has adjusted the design of its Capitol Hill light rail station to create more opportunities for nearby housing and shopping. Read more.

Phillips Urges Passage of Domestic Partnership Rights

Councilmember Phillips praised the Washington State Senate for taking an important step toward marriage equality by passing Senate Bill 5688, which extends to domestic partners the same right married couples have under state law. He urged members of the State House to follow suit. Read more.

Councilmembers Encourage Metro to Continue Enhancing Communication

After hearing a briefing on Metro's snow response report in the Council's Physical Environment Committee, Vice Chair Phillips said Metro Transit is making progress, but that more needs to be done to ensure that bus riders aren't left stranded in the cold. Read more.

Sound Transit Breaks Ground on University Link Light Rail

Councilmember Phillips was on hand to celebrate the groundbreaking for construction of University Link light rail. As Chair of the Central Link Oversight Committee, Phillips will oversee construction of the 3-mile extension which will support over 22,000 regional jobs and serve 70,000 daily riders by 2030. Read more.

Phillips Sponsors Legislation to Streamline County's Flood Response

In the wake of winter storms that are still being felt as the region prepares for spring, the King County Council unanimously adopted a series of measures co-sponsored by Councilmember Phillips that will improve the county's response to future flooding. Read more.