The Voice for Industry
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Inflation and the failure last fall of the regional Proposition 1 funding measure have blown a half billion dollar hole in the city's transportation construction budget, imperiling projects closely connected to future plans for the Alaskan Way Viaduct and State Route 99.
Those are among the pieces of a huge financial puzzle that the Seattle City Council is attempting to solve over the next few weeks, with a final decision scheduled for mid-May.
The issues impact three major projects: widening the Spoken Street Viaduct in the Duwamish, construction of the Lander Street Overpass in SODO and developing a two-way system for Mercer Street in South Lake Union.
The projects now require at least $431 million in new funding just to get started, according to the city transportation department, and more money would be needed to finish them. To put that figure into context, the city's entire transportation construction budget for the next seven years is about $1 billion.
All three projects have been touted as potential alternative routes for traffic displaced by disruptions to SR 99 during construction related to the Alaskan Way Viaduct.
The existing plan for Mercer would not help much, if at all, but city transportation director Grace Crunican told the City Council's Transportation Committee on Tuesday that the state may now support an expansion of the Mercer project to create a link between Interstate 5 and Elliott Avenue, an improvement that could support freight service to and from Ballard and Interbay.
To address the growing cash shortfall, the Mayor is proposing that the city shelve the Lander project to free up cash for the other two projects. That money would come from funds raised through the city's $365 million Bridging the Gap street maintenance and construction levy approved by voters in 2006. The Mayor is proposing to provide additional money for the projects from some of the bonding capacity created through the BTG levy.
Members of the council transportation committee expressed concern Tuesday about how much more money is needed for the projects and the use of maintenance resources to pay for construction. One reason for the 2006 levy was the City's past failure to budget adequately for street maintenance.
The Council hopes to vote on the final funding plan May 12.
Next MIC Meeting
MOVED
The next MIC Executive
meeting will be on April 29th NOT April 22nd. We
will host new City Councilmember Bruce Harrell at our April 29th meeting,
who will be interested to hear from MIC members about City Light electric
rates.
NOTE TO ALL MIC MEMBERS: the MIC gathers monthly at its
Executive Committee meeting (usually) the fourth Tuesday of each month at
3:30-5:00 pm in our office on 1st Ave S. Every member of the MIC is
invited to these meetings. A typical agenda includes updates on
organization programs, speakers (including elected officials and
governmental project or department leads) on topics of current interest
and discussions about where and how the MIC should be advocating its
positions. This is your opportunity to keep abreast of topics of concern
to your industrial business, to provide direction for the organization,
and to determine how or if you would like to get involved
Are you in the
Fold?
If you are a private
business owner or manager who finds the Seattle Industry eBulletin
information useful (not just interesting) then you're the kind of business
who should be a MIC member. The MIC is a non-profit association of
industrial business owners and managers who are dedicated to improving
government services and public sector decision making for the greater
Seattle industrial business community. We are engaged in a membership
drive this year to expand the scope of industry segments and areas that we
represent. We are only as strong as our membership. In 2008, our members
will be working with the Mayor, the City Council and the Port of Seattle
to develop an "Industrial Action Agenda" that will identify specific,
realistic actions that the city, the Port and other public agencies can
take to better support the industrial base of our city. Becoming a member
today adds your voice and concerns to this important work. Click here
for more information on how to join, or call us at (206)
762-2470.
Earth Day - Duwamish
Alive!
Join the Fun! Restore
the River!
Come join us as hundreds of volunteers roll up their sleeves
to work on multiple simultaneous habitat restoration projects along the
Duwamish River.
Duwamish Alive! is a chance for people to reclaim
the river by weeding invasive plants, planting native species, mulching
the planting areas, and picking up debris from the riverfront
sites.
From 9:30-2:00 we will be working. Then from 2:00-5:00 we
will spend the afternoon enjoying FREE food, performances, nature hikes,
environmental education, and giveaways!
Sites include: Duwamish
Waterway Park in South Park, Gateway Park North/8th Ave. S. in Georgetown,
Hamm Creek in South Seattle, Codiga Park in north Tukwila, Duwamish
Riverbend Hill Park in north Tukwila, Pigeon Point in West Seattle,
Roxhill Park in West Seattle. Brandon Street Natural Area in West
Seattle.
For more information go to: http://www.pugetsound.org/events/duwamishalive
www.seattleindustry.org
Past eBulletins
Alaska Pipeline Progress
A Rubik's Cube in a Rubik's Cube
No Korry for Seattle and Landmarks
Nucor Steel Growing
Ballard Brass on the Move
Next MIC
Meeting
New
Date
April 29, 2008
3:30-5:30 PM
MIC
Conference Room
5509 1st Ave S, Ste B
Seattle, WA
98108
We Need
You
Do you
like what you are hearing from us? The Manufacturing Industrial Council is
a member based, non-profit organization that advocates for manufacturing
businesses, and we need you! To become a member click this link.
Renewed
Members
Starbucks Coffee
Rainier Cold Storage
Commercial Floor
Distributors
Salvin Drapery Manufacturing
Nucor Steel -
Seattle
Somerset Properties
B&G Machine, Inc
ECOSS
SODO
Business Association
Washington Lift Truck
WEDFA
Ballard Transfer
Co
Manson Construction
New
Members
Ocean Beauty
Proto-Design (T2K)
GM
Nameplate
Questions, Comments, or suggestions about the Seattle Industry eBulletin are always welcome. Your input will make the bulletin a more successful product. Contact us at (206)762-2470 or fax (206)762-2492.