After nearly a decade of work, King County is getting ready to finalize its purchase of about 19.2 acres on the Eastside Rail Corridor — the former Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) rail line — on Dec. 10.
The proposed land to be purchased stretches from Renton to Woodinville and from Woodinville to Redmond and is currently owned by the Port of Seattle.
King County Council Vice Chair Jane Hague said this is a historic opportunity for them, as once the sale goes through, the whole of the corridor will be under public ownership.
“We’re excited to see all of this land secured,” she said.
Portions of the rest of the Eastside Rail Corridor are owned by the cities of Redmond and Kirkland, Sound Transit and Puget Sound Energy (PSE).
“It’s very complex with how it fits together,” Hague said about the multiple owners.
Along with acquiring the land, the three proposed ordinances authorizing the county’s purchase would also authorize an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Redmond to coordinate future development for recreational trail and transit uses for the portions of the corridor within city limits. The ordinances would also authorize an agreement with PSE to coordinate future use of utilities.
Hague said the uses for the soon-to-be purchased land include trails and passenger rail, adding that with the corridor under public ownership, they will have the ability to connect with trails in the other jurisdictions.
“It’s a wonderful amenity and quality-of-life issue,” she said about providing this for the community.
The total cost of the 19.2 acres to King County is about $15 million and Hague said they have already paid the Port of Seattle $1.9 million. The county has two years to come up with a funding solution to pay of the remaining money.
Hague said the county is looking into various federal and state grants to help pay for the purchase, adding that the Puget Sound Regional Council has made $1.4 million available to them.
Once the purchase is finalized, the county will put together an advisory group of the corridor’s stakeholders to discuss the corridor’s future.
“There will be, probably in the next six months, a great opportunity to weigh in on how this corridor will be developed,” Hague said.
For those wanting to comment on this purchase, the King County Council will hold a public hearing on Monday to take testimony from the community. The hearing will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the King County Courthouse, at 516 Third Ave. in Seattle, in Room 1001.
“We would love to have people interested in the corridor show up, whether they support it or not,” Hague said.
Copies of the proposed ordinances are available upon request from the Clerk of the King County Council, Room 1200, King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 or by phone at (206) 296-1020. The ordinances are also available online at kingcounty.gov/council/clerk.aspx.
