Balanced You Mindfulness: 2025 winter schedule
Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged with whatever we are doing at the moment—free from distraction or judgment. It is a proven method to reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being. Balanced You partners with mindfulness providers CuriosityBased, SolJoy, and Mindfulness Northwest to offer classes to King County employees. The classes are open to all employees and each class is a one-time event. You can find the 2025 winter mindfulness schedule here. Supervisors: Here is a printer-friendly PDF with the Mindfulness winter 2025 schedule to post at your worksites for… Read More
King County Historic Preservation team earns national recognition
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green Homes built in King County neighborhoods during the post-World War II housing boom have long been dwindling in number – cleared to make way for newer homes that better fit current families and lifestyles. “Our region’s soaring property values and its rapidly growing population have led to losing many of these homes,” said Jennifer Meisner, King County Historic Preservation Officer. “Because they are typically smaller than current standards, but often have desirable views and mature landscaping, these homes are vulnerable to demolition for larger developments.” Read more.
King County Metro Vanpool to add 120 more electric vehicles
Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Metro is taking another step toward a more sustainable future by adding 120 electric vehicles to our vanpool fleet. The new seven-passenger vehicles will join our nearly two dozen electric compact vanpool cars already on the road. Following this procurement, almost 10 percent of Metro’s vanpool fleet will be electric. What is a vanpool? Vanpooling is similar to carpooling. Commuters share the driving and have a common schedule and route to work. With a Metro Vanpool, all costs are included in one low monthly fare. This… Read More
Storm damage? You may qualify for a low interest loan
Crossposted from KC Emergency News If your home or business was damaged between Nov. 17 – 25 due to the bomb cyclone, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, or mudslides, you may qualify for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience low-interest loan. These loans cover disaster losses not fully covered by insurance or other sources. Proceeds from insurance coverage on home or property may be deducted from the eligible loan amount. Interest on the loan does not begin to accrue nor do the repayments start until 12 months after receiving the… Read More
Update: King County programs helps a young person secure his dream job
Crossposted from Best Starts for Kids In the span of a little more than a year, 19-year-old Jordan Kinney shifted from feeling hopeless to securing a dream job, with help from King County youth programs. Earlier this year, we shared Jordan’s story, just after he had landed an internship with King County International Airport with support from the King County program, Career LaunchPad. Since then, he’s managed to achieve another goal, getting a full-time permanent position at the airport as a Utility Maintenance worker. “This job is a dream come true for… Read More
Smooth sailing: 15 years of the King County Water Taxi
Cross-posted from the Captains Blog In 2009: This year marks the 15th anniversary of King County providing passenger-only service to the residents of Vashon Island and the beginning of the King County Water Taxi. “The water taxi is a vital part of our regional transit system,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “The enthusiastic response to regular midday service for both West Seattle and Vashon is no surprise. Here’s to many more years of smooth sailings and happy Water Taxi passengers.” Read more.
DCHS in 2024!
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections As the year comes to a close, the Department of Community and Human Services is taking stock in progress we’ve made throughout a year filled with both challenges and opportunities. This year was full of milestones and celebrations, and we look forward to building on these accomplishments for the people of King County in 2025. Read more.
A new landmark rises: Beacon Pacific Village opens on the historic Pacific Tower campus
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections Last month, the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Beacon Pacific Village, a new affordable housing community offering a blend of residential, mixed-use, and critical on-site services. Between 2016 to 2020, King County’s Housing Finance Program (HFP) awarded nearly five million dollars to SCIDpda, the owner and developer of Beacon Pacific Village, through Transit Oriented Development funding and other awards. Recognized by developers for its innovative design and sustainable architecture, Beacon Pacific Village provides connection to wellness, community, and healing for communities fragmented… Read More
King County Metro signs landmark deal to welcome new bus manufacturer to North America, expand zero-emission fleets
Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Metro has contracted with European bus builder Solaris to buy up to 16 zero-emission buses. This marks Solaris’ first contract with a U.S.-based transit agency and represents the company’s effort to expand its presence in the North American market. The partnership also reflects a broader push to diversify the number of transit suppliers in the region. Metro’s procurement will help increase the bus manufacturing competition in the U.S. market, where bus manufacturing shortages have created supply chain challenges for all transit agencies. Read more.
Wishing all employees a joyful holiday season
Happy Holidays to all our employees and their loved ones. May you enjoy time together with joy and laughter. A special thank you to our employees who are working over the holiday. King County is grateful for your service.
Employee News 