What's Happening in District Four--May 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.

Sound Transit 2 bus service increases begin

In June, Sound Transit began rolling out bus service increases as part of the Sound Transit 2 expansion package approved by voters last year. Also in June, the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel will begin staying open longer hours in advance light rail service arriving in July. Read more.

Phillips asks Metro to be more entrepreneurial

Facing a $168 million shortfall over the next two years, Councilmember Phillips said it's time for Metro Transit to expand entrepreneurial opportunities and develop collaborative partnerships as an alternative to reducing service. Read more.

Audit of Metro offers promising strategies for narrowing transit budget gap

An interim report on an audit of Metro Transit requested by Councilmember Phillips has uncovered a one-time reserve of as much as $105 million more than needed in a fund for replacement of Metro buses. Read more.

Metro bus service to be integrated around new Link light rail system

Bus riders will be able to take advantage of the new Link light rail system that arrives in July under service changes adopted by the King County Council that will feed buses into the new system and improve bus service within neighborhoods and between communities. Read more.

Council appoints Kurt Triplett as caretaker County Executive

Interim County Executive Kurt Triplett was unanimously appointed by the King County Council to serve as King County Executive. Triplett was the Chief of Staff to outgoing Executive Ron Sims and will serve until the results of the November general election for County Executive are certified. Read more.

East Link light rail preliminary alignment selected

The Sound Transit Board of Directors identified a preferred route for extending light rail to Mercer Island, Bellevue and Redmond, with both tunnel and surface options in downtown Bellevue. Read more.

Governor signs viaduct replacement bill

Councilmember Phillips joined regional leaders for the signing of a bill that marks the final agreement for replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a bored tunnel. Learn more. Read Councilmember Phillips' op-ed advocating for the bored tunnel solution.

Transportation grant opportunities a major step toward an "electric" future

A form of transportation that involves "plugging in" rather than "filling up" is just around the corner with the County's effort to become a hub of green vehicle technology. King County submitted three grant applications to the U.S. Department of Energy seeking a total of $425 million for transportation electrification projects. Read more.

Council extends homebuilding permits to aid struggling housing market

The King County Council extended the life of permits for stalled homebuilding projects by two years, providing some economic stimulus and relief to homebuilders struggling with financing and slowing demand due to the recession. Read more.

County Council seeks to get the most "bang for our buck" with federal stimulus funds

The King County Council ensured that the County is poised to capitalize on federal grant opportunities with passage of an ordinance ensuring transparency and accountability in the County's management of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. Read more.

Swine flu threat highlights the need for dedicated funding for public health

With swine flu threatening the health and safety of King County residents, Councilmember Phillips called on the state Legislature in its special session to reconsider giving local governments the tools to keep their public health systems intact. Read more.

Raging River Announcement. From left to right: Gene Duvernoy, Cascade Land Conservancy; Terry Lavendar, Conservation Futures Citizens Oversight Committee, Larry Phillips, King County Councilmember; Jim Ellis, environmental pioneer; Rod Brandon, King County Executive's Office; Peter Goldmark, Public Lands Commissioner

Council moves swiftly to fund protection of Raging River open space

The King County Council closed a gap in the region's "curtain of green" with its unanimous adoption of legislation to keep approximately 4,000 acres along the Raging River in unincorporated King County free from development, as part of a 7,000 acre acquisition by the State. Read more.

American Public Transportation Association President Bill Millar, King County Councilmember Larry Phillips, Department of Transportation Director Harold Taniguchi, and Acting FTA Administrator Matt Welbes inspect one of King County's new RapidRide buses.

Phillips advocates prioritizing RapidRide in balancing Metro's budget shortfall

With the news that RapidRide received a federal grant and the arrival of the first RapidRide branded buses, Councilmember Phillips announced that he will ask Metro Transit to prioritize RapidRide service when balancing the agency's projected $100 million annual budget shortfall in 2010 and beyond. RapidRide is Metro's new streamlined bus service that will provide frequent, all-day service in five major corridors throughout King County. Read more.

Council recognizes May as Arts Education Month in King County

The King County Council drew attention to the importance of arts education for the 300,000 students in King County's 722 schools and 18 school districts by declaring May as Arts Education Month in King County. Read more.

Phillips asks County Ombudsman to investigate complaint about unsafe trucks

Councilmember Phillips asked the King County Ombudsman to investigate the complaints of several county truck drivers who are concerned that they are hauling loads that exceed weight limits and may be putting the public's safety at risk. Read more.