Council prepares legislation to ensure public ownership and dual use of Eastside BNSF rail corridor for rail and trails

Four members of the Metropolitan King County Council today announced they are preparing proposed legislation for action on Monday that will ensure public ownership of the Eastside BNSF rail corridor, and preserve the opportunities for its use as both a recreational trail and a transportation corridor.

Four members of the Metropolitan King County Council today announced they are preparing proposed legislation for action on Monday that will ensure public ownership of the Eastside BNSF rail corridor, and preserve the opportunities for its use as both a recreational trail and a transportation corridor.

Councilmembers Dow Constantine, Bob Ferguson, Kathy Lambert, and Larry Phillips had what they called “a productive meeting” this afternoon with Port of Seattle Commission President John Creighton and Port CEO Tay Yoshitani.

Under proposed legislation that will guide the County Executive in negotiations with the Port, the Port would purchase the entire Eastside rail corridor from BNSF by December 31. King County would waive its exclusive right to negotiate with BNSF in favor of the Port, and retain an option to purchase part of the corridor. The Port would conduct a public process next year to determine the best allocation for the dual use of the corridor for rail and trails.

Should the Port decide to sell any part of the corridor, King County would be given 120 days in which to acquire the property, or the Port would thereafter offer the right of first refusal to any other public agency that provides recreation or transportation.

The proposed legislation will be introduced on Monday for consideration by the Council at its Committee of the Whole meeting starting at 9:30 a.m.