“Preserving King County’s Legacy”: County Council Town Hall to focus on historic preservation

The “story” of King County can be told by the artifacts, landmarks and buildings from generations past. The cooperative efforts to preserve that history for generations to come are the focus of the next Metropolitan King County Council Town Hall Meeting on Monday, August 27.

The Town Hall will be at Sammamish City Hall, 801 228th Ave SE, Sammamish. All citizens are invited to meet face-to-face with King County Councilmembers at an informal reception starting at 6:30 p.m. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m.

“The Northwest has historic treasures far beyond what most people realize, and we need to ensure that generations to come are familiar with that heritage,” said Councilmember Julia Patterson, chair of the Council’s Committee of the Whole. “Our focus should always be on the future, but not at the expense of erasing the past. The structures we erect are a historical record, and we need to work with the public and private organizations to preserve that history.”
 
“Historical preservation means more than just protecting structures,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, whose District 3 is hosting the Town Hall. “Our landmarks – such as the Hailstone Feed Store and Gasoline Station marking Issaquah’s transportation history, and the Living Road of Remembrance along Des Moines Memorial Drive honoring those who gave their lives in World War I – celebrate the people who helped build King County. Preserving that heritage involves partnerships that cut across all jurisdictions. The Town Hall is an opportunity to see what is already underway and the cooperation taking place to ensure that the memories and lessons of our past won’t disappear.”

King County Historic Preservation Officer Julie Koler and Landmarks Commission Chair Lauren McCroskey will brief the public on the County’s major preservation projects and programs. The “Barn Again” Initiative, a new grant program to preserve historic barns, will be among the programs highlighted.

There will also be a panel discussion featuring current issues in preservation. Jim Kelly, Executive Director of 4Culture, King County’s cultural services agency, will discuss “heritage tourism”, Bellevue Community College Professor Leon Leeds will highlight the county’s innovative archaeology program, Des Moines City Councilmember Susan White, a board member of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, will touch on the Barn Preservation Initiative, and North Bend City Councilmember David Cook will discuss how historic preservation has revitalized the city’s downtown core.

The public will have an opportunity to question panel members and presenters. At the end of the program, the Council will take open public testimony on any issue.

Town Hall Meetings are part of Councilmembers’ initiative to “get out of the courthouse” and into the communities they serve, in order to enhance both local and regional representation on issues. In 2007, Councilmembers have met with the public and discussed issues at Town Halls held in West Seattle, Renton, Redmond, on the Seattle Waterfront, Shoreline and Maple Valley.

Each Town Hall is a special meeting of the Council’s Committee of the Whole, the only standing committee on which all nine members serve. It considers legislation and policy issues of interest to the entire Council.