“The Southard:” Homeownership that is inclusive and sustainable
Patti Southard, a nationally-acclaimed pioneer in her field, as a Green Building Program Manager for King County Solid Waste Division in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks for 14 years, until she passed away in 2019. Homestead Community Land Trust held a ribbon-cutting event on Friday, June 28, 2024 to celebrate the completion of the Southard, named after Patti. Located in the Cascade View neighborhood of Tukwila, the Southard is Homestead’s latest net-zero energy, Salmon Safe, affordable homeownership development. June 28, also Patti’s birthday, was commemorated as Patti Southard Day by… Read More
‘A victory for regional trails, climate, mobility, and opportunity’: Executive Constantine thanks Sen. Murray, Sen. Cantwell for securing funds to help close a key gap for Eastrail
King County Executive Dow Constantine today thanked U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell for securing a $25 million federal grant administrated by the U.S. Department of Transportation that will help King County Parks close the final gap of the southern segment of Eastrail by crossing Interstate 90. King County Parks will use the funds to retrofit a steel bridge that spans 16 lanes of Interstate 90. It is the latest progress for Eastrail, an emerging 42-mile trail that will ultimately connect South and East King County communities to Snohomish County… Read More
Recipient of Best-Run Government Innovation Award helps Fall City community
The Fall City Waste Management System has been honored as the winner of the 2023 Best-Run Government Innovation Award for Climate and Environmental Stewardship. Congratulations to the Department of Local Services (DLS), Public Health – Seattle & King County (DPH), and all their partners for their commitment to Best-Run Government! “I was thrilled to learn that the Fall City Septic System project had won an Executive Best-Run Government Climate Award,” says John Taylor, Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) Director and former DLS Director. “It’s been a passion project of mine… Read More
Metro explores hydrogen fuel cell buses to reduce emissions
Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Metro will explore adding up to four hydrogen fuel cell buses as early as 2026 as part of a pilot project. These zero-emission buses provide extended range, run on hydrogen and emit only water vapor. Seeing how hydrogen fuel cell buses perform will inform if Metro uses them to complement its battery-electric and trolley buses. Metro is a global transit leader on sustainability and is moving toward a 100% zero-emission fleet. The hydrogen fuel cell bus pilot project has the potential to benefit riders, reduce local… Read More
New programs bring music, mentorship, and business skills to King County’s detained youth
By Christina Lorella Kuzu, Communications Specialist with the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention The end of May and early June marked the beginning of three new youth programs at the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center (CCFJC) in King County, expanding services to youth in custody and allowing a plethora of additional opportunities for residents to spend time participating in group activities together with their peers. Cocreative Culture On Friday, May 18, Providence Kamana and Grady Mukanya of Cocreative Culture visited each of the units at CCFJC, presenting information… Read More
King County adding Wilburton Trestle to Eastrail
A public-private partnership that includes Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, Amazon, the City of Bellevue, Kaiser Permanente, and the King County Parks Levy started transforming the 120-year-old Wilburton Trestle into a trail bridge that will be added to the emerging 42-mile Eastrail. “We’ve built strong partnerships to transform the historic Wilburton Trestle into a trail bridge for Eastrail,” said Executive Constantine. “Creating a regional trail that offers healthy, reliable, scenic connections to some of the world’s leading job centers, vibrant cities, and light rail service demonstrates what we can achieve when we align… Read More
Hazardous Waste Management Program’s Annual Report
The Annual Report highlights the Hazardous Waste Management Program’s services, accomplishments, and financial status for 2023. Read about how the Program reduced toxic exposures, held product makers and sellers responsible, and put innovation into action. Read the report here.
What’s on at City Hall Park this spring and summer?
City Hall Park, adjacent to the King County Courthouse, is offering movies, workshops, and more this spring and summer in addition to the daily buskers in the park. There will be three free movie screenings this summer starting at noon: The Bike Mobile truck is providing free to low-cost bike maintenance and bicycles at City Hall Park on select Tuesdays in 2024. Upcoming dates include: June 4, June 18, July 2, July 16, August 6, August 20, Sept. 3, Sept. 17, Oct. 1, Oct. 15 (all from 1 to 4 p.m.), Nov…. Read More
Danotra McBride receives 2023 Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the winners of the 2023 Best-Run Government Awards on May 9, with eight King County employees, leaders, and teams recognized for their outstanding performance, leadership, and innovation. In a surprise ceremony, Executive Constantine announced that Danotra McBride, Director of Jail Health Services, was the winner of the 2023 Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award, the awards’ highest honor. The Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award – named for former Deputy Executive Fred Jarrett, the driving force behind Lean and continuous improvement for nine years at the County –… Read More
How an award-winning approach to workforce development produced a new generation of wastewater talent
An award-winning approach to recruiting and training talent is providing King County with a new generation of skilled tradespeople to operate the region’s wastewater system and protect Puget Sound. The National Association of Clean Water Agencies honored the program with its National Environmental Achievement Award for “initiatives that have made a remarkable impact on environmental protection, the advancement of the water sector, and the betterment of their communities.” Read more and watch the video.
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