 That's the first town hall of 2025 in the books! Thank you, West Hill, for coming out to Evergreen Heights last night (during a Mariners playoff clinching game no less!).
 Join us next Tuesday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Auburn City Hall Council Chambers to talk about anything and everything you want -- I'll be in attendance, alongside city leadership, to field any questions you may have about any topic. We want you to have answers to your questions. During the first round of community meetings last year, we heard from you that you wanted more of the meetings – we love them, too!
We'll have light refreshments, perfect for a dialogue. Can't make next week's? We've got several more town halls scheduled throughout the city.
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Tuesday, Sept. 30 – City Hall, Council Chambers | 6 - 8:30 p.m.
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Wednesday, Oct. 1 – Community & Event Center | 6 - 8:30 p.m.
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Wednesday, Oct. 8 – West Auburn High | 6 - 8:30 p.m.
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Wednesday, Oct. 22 – Green River College | 6 - 8:30 p.m.
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Wednesday, Oct. 29 – Auburn Riverside High | 6 - 8:30 p.m.
 UGGGHHH! Auburn friends, we are heading into (several more) busy weekends for road construction that will impact drivers across our region. I want to make sure you are aware of these closures so you can plan ahead and avoid unnecessary frustration (if possible), especially with the ongoing SR 167 northbound lane reduction.
SR 18 Closures – Westbound Sept. 26-29 | Eastbound Oct. 3-6
WSDOT crews will be replacing worn expansion joints on the C Street SW bridge over two consecutive weekends.
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Sept. 26-28: Right lane of westbound SR 18 closed from M St. SE to C St. SW. The Auburn Way/SR 164 on-ramp will also close -- detour signs will guide drivers to the 3rd St. SW on-ramp.
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Sept. 28-29: All lanes of westbound SR 18 closed near Auburn Way/SR 164. Traffic will be directed off and back onto SR 18 using local streets.
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Oct. 3-6: All lanes of eastbound SR 18 will close for similar work. The C Street SW on- and off-ramps will also be closed, with signed detours provided.
Please allow extra travel time, especially during peak hours, and check the WSDOT travel map or sign up for email updates for real-time information.
Bridge Repair Progress: SR 410 & SR 169
Crews are continuing seven-day-a-week work on the SR 410 White River Bridge, with reopening anticipated between Oct. 31 and Nov. 14. This week, workers are finishing sandblasting and heat straightening the bridge’s bent steel components -- critical steps toward restoring two-way traffic.
Meanwhile, on the SR 169 Green River Bridge, repairs are nearly complete at two of the five identified locations with steady progress continuing.
Due to both of these situations that are outside the City’s control, our team is working to adjust traffic signals to help as much as possible, but the amount of traffic is exceeding the capacity of the system and traffic delays are going to continue until WSDOT is able to open these bridges.
These projects are a huge team effort, and I am grateful to our partner agencies, emergency services, and all of you who have adjusted your commutes and routines to keep traffic moving safely.
Your patience is helping us get to the finish line!
I know how many of you are impacted by this and I wish I had better news to share, but we learned this week that our partners at the Washington State Department of Transportation anticipate an extended reduction of northbound lanes along State Route 167 after a truck hit a bridge Tuesday afternoon. While it’s all quite frustrating, I’m sure you agree that the imposition is better than the chance of a catastrophic accident because the damage wasn’t fixed properly.
On Thursday morning, the state agency reported that a girder would need to be replaced and that it would take months, not weeks. They are working on a plan at this moment and are working around the clock to provide an updated ETA for the repair and opening of the closed lanes.
 In the meantime, they recommend planning ahead as much as possible and expecting significant delays in the area.
For more information on the closure, follow WSDOT on X, BlueSky or Facebook.
Conceptual design of DRAFT theater and park.
It’s such an exciting time to be in Auburn! At Monday's City Council study session, our Parks, Arts, and Recreation and Public Works teams shared an update on two major projects that will shape the heart of our city for decades to come.
First, the Auburn Avenue Theater replacement project is moving forward beautifully. Most of you remember the beloved old theater, full of memories but limited by space and functionality. The new facility will be a true centerpiece for the arts in Auburn, with a larger footprint, seating for nearly 300 guests, and modern amenities like dedicated dressing rooms, a proper green room, and a concession area. These upgrades will allow us to host larger productions, traveling performances, and community events with the comfort and quality our residents deserve.
Right now, the design and permitting work is nearly complete, and the construction phase is scheduled to begin in early 2026 and wrap up by mid-2027. This $12.1 million project is being funded through a combination of developer contributions, state grants, park impact fees, real estate excise tax dollars, and American Rescue Plan Act funds -- a great example of how we leverage multiple funding sources to invest in our future.
Conceptual design of B Street Plaza next to (nearly) finished plaza.
But we didn’t stop at just rebuilding the theater. We are also creating a new Downtown Park right next door. This space will be a centralized green gathering area, connecting Postmark Center for the Arts, the theater, Main Street, and our newly completed B Street Plaza. The park will feature seating areas, open lawn space for picnics or casual hangouts, and an outdoor plaza at the east entrance of the theater that will be perfect for pre-show mingling, art installations, and community events. We’re even integrating stormwater facilities into the design so the park serves both a functional and recreational purpose.
And, yes -- there will be public art! The City’s Arts Commission has been working with a selection committee and artist John Flemming to create a signature piece that will highlight this area as a hub for culture and creativity.
DRAFT render of theater, NOT final design.
Finally, we're pleased to report that our Downtown Infrastructure Improvements project, which has had portions of Main Street closed for a portion of the year, is almost entirely complete. All roadways are now open, which means it’s easier than ever to shop, dine, and enjoy your favorite businesses downtown. Crews will return periodically to complete the final elements as materials arrive, but we expect all work to be fully completed by February 2026.
These projects are investments not just in buildings and streets, but in Auburn’s future as a thriving, welcoming, and walkable community. I can’t wait to see you downtown, enjoying all that’s coming to life!
 The latest issue of Auburn Magazine is in your mailbox, and don't miss it because it’s packed with stories that celebrate everything we love about this city.
Inside, you’ll meet the talented kids of Auburn’s Youth Theater Camp, get a behind-the-scenes look at the installation of our Downtown Sculpture Gallery, and read reflections on 60 years of Auburn’s Veterans Parade & Observance. You’ll also explore the grand opening of Auburn’s first indoor pickleball facility, Rally Pickleball Club, and take a deep dive into the history and community surrounding Emerald Downs, the “Jewel of the Northwest.”
 This issue also highlights important City programs like our Neighborhood Traffic Safety Program, Adopt-a-Drain initiative, and street sweeping operations that keep Auburn safe and beautiful. And don’t miss the “Main Street Stories” feature celebrating the businesses and people who keep downtown vibrant.
The magazine includes plenty of photos, and you can read it online (in English or Spanish) at auburnwa.gov, or scan the QR code on the front cover of your copy!
Who remembers our 2022 rally? Get your Mariners gear ready because we'll back next week!
I'm sure you're aware, but in case you've had a media blackout this week, your Seattle Mariners have officially won the American League West! Even better, last night they secured a first-round bye in the playoffs, meaning they can skip the wild card altogether. Where they go from here is anyone's guess.
It's been 24 years since we've experienced this much playoff baseball IN Seattle -- 2022 was fun, but we watched most of those games on T.V. as they played in Toronto and Houston.
I can't begin to tell you how excited we are for these Mariners to begin their 2025 playoff run in Seattle. We'll be rooting from the City of Auburn and who knows, maybe we'll hold another rally like we did in 2022???? You can count on it!!!
 Last night, Arts Program Supervisor Allison Hyde attended historic Seattle‘s 2025 Preservation Celebration. The City of Auburn’s Postmark Center for the Arts received a 2025 Preservation Award for Community Investment!
 We are honored to receive this award, recognizing both our excellence in historic preservation and the investment in the incredible community we serve.
The Postmark Center for the Arts is a treasure for our city and they recently began offering classes and programs on the first floor! I hope you can sign up for one of their many classes this fall.
 One of my favorite new ways to celebrate the season is by coming together as a community -- and our Multicultural Holiday Festival is the perfect opportunity to do just that!
This is Auburn’s 3rd Annual Multicultural Holiday Festival, and it’s truly a celebration of the rich diversity that makes Auburn such a special place to call home. You’ll find beautiful decorative displays showcasing traditions from cultures around the world, a red carpet fashion show featuring cultural dress, incredible performances from local cultural groups, and of course, delicious food trucks to enjoy.
This event is such a wonderful reminder that Auburn’s strength is in its people, and I can’t wait to see you there as we celebrate together.
And a special thank you to our sponsors, Wellpoint, the Blue Ribbon Committee, and of course, our Community Health Consultant Pat Bailey for helping make this event possible!
📅 Saturday, Sept. 27
⏰ 3 - 6 p.m.
📍 The Commons at Auburn High School | 711 E. Main Street
💲 Free
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