Council selects “The Chinook Building” as name for New County Office Building

A name suggested by an 8th grader from Kirkland was unanimously selected today by the Metropolitan King County Council for a 13-story facility in downtown Seattle that until now known only as the “New County Office Building.”

Councilmember Bob Ferguson with Megan Drews whose idea was selected for the new name of the county office building.

“The Chinook Building” is the entry chosen by the Council from 140 entries submitted earlier this year by middle school students from throughout King County. The name was submitted by Megan Drews, who was a student at Holy Family School when she entered the contest. Drews was presented with a special recognition from the Council after they endorsed her selection.

“It is an important name to me and my family because it celebrates our Northwest native heritage,” said Megan, who is now a freshman at Eastside Catholic High School in Bellevue. “Along with our heritage, it is a great fish to eat!”

“This building now has a name that reflects the natural heritage of our region,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson, sponsor of the naming contest and today’s ordinance. “My goal was to encourage our young people to examine Northwest history for ideas, and we received a tremendous response. I congratulate all of the boys and girls who participated.”

Earlier this year the Council conducted a contest asking 7th through 9th graders from throughout King County to submit potential names for the building that reflect broad citizen values as well as county issues, persons, or symbols, along with essays explaining their suggestion. This approach was a unique opportunity to engage young persons and give them a greater sense of connection with local government.

“I’m proud that young people throughout King County took pride and ownership in their government by participating in the contest to name the new county office building,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “These bright young citizens are our future, the Chinook Building is theirs, and both King County government and Chinook salmon will need their participation and efforts to thrive.” Councilmember Phillips led the effort to build the county’s Chinook Building to consolidate county agencies currently renting in leased space, saving King County millions of dollars in lease costs over time. The savings can thereby be diverted into county services, not landlord profits.

“The threatened Chinook or ‘King’ salmon is the subject of extraordinary rescue efforts here in King County, and this ‘green-built’ structure can daily remind us of the challenge of restoring our region's environmental legacy,” said Councilmember Dow Constantine.

“When the King County Council engaged children in our schools to name the new county office building, we also gave them the opportunity to better understand the history of our region and the legislative process that governs it,” said King County Councilmember Julia Patterson. “Today, we not only named a government building, but we did so in the spirit of civic engagement and the democratic process.”
Another student essay submitted to the Council suggested that significant names be used for physical amenities of the Chinook Building. The Council legislation honors that idea by providing for the naming of each of the floors of the building. The Council will select names of floors 1-9; the executive will select the names of floors 10-13.

Seven County agencies are now housed in the building at 5th and Jefferson, which opened this summer. Its tenants include Public Health, the Department of Community and Human Services, the Office of Information Resource Management, and the Finance Division.

A formal dedication ceremony will be scheduled.

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system. Type in “2007-0330”

Councilmembers with Megan Drews and her family after adopting Chinook as the name of the new county office building.