February 2017
Welcome to Community News! You can find the newsletter online with links to program details, at the UA News website. To see previous versions of the Unincorporated Area Community Newsletter visit the archives.
Learn what King County is working on in your community. The Community Service Areas (CSA) website includes descriptions of King County projects underway or planned for 2017, in the seven unincorporated CSAs. Work plans detail the projects and identify the King County staff contact .
Engage with King County
White Center family shelter meeting
King County is hosting a community meeting to discuss the proposed temporary family shelter at the former White Center Public Health Building. The meeting is set Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Seola Gardens Community Center, 10821 8th Ave. S.W. in Seattle. Mary’s Place, the shelter operator, will discuss the shelter program. Visit the King County White Center Shelter webpage for more information, including the community agreement crafted by King County, the White Center Community Group and Mary’s Place. If you wish to submit comments on the community agreement, email Valerie Kendall or call 206-263-9076.
Black Diamond Area stewardship planning and public meeting
King County Parks is developing a stewardship plan for three open space properties in the Black Diamond area, including Black Diamond Open Space, Ravensdale Retreat Natural Area and Henry’s Ridge Open Space. The focus of the plan will be forest health and include some recommendations for public use. A public meeting will be held on Feb. 8, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., in the Commons at Tahoma Junior High School, 25600 SE Summit Landsburg Rd. in Ravensdale. For more information about the stewardship planning process, upcoming meetings and a link to sign-up for updates, please visit the project website.
Grant funding available to preserve historic barns
King County’s Historic Preservation Program is announcing the second round of its Barn Again Historic Barn Preservation Program, providing up to $250,000 in funds for stabilization and rehabilitation of historic barns and agriculture-related structures. Last year, nine properties were awarded funding totaling more than $235,000. Funded projects ranged from window and electrical repairs to new foundations and roofs. Grant guidelines and applications are now available and are due April 21. Grant workshops are scheduled for Black Diamond, Vashon and Carnation.
News
Sign up for health insurance
The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, may be repealed and replaced under the new federal administration, but there’s still time to take advantage of it. In fact, if you sign up by Jan. 31, you should feel confident that your coverage will remain intact for the rest of 2017. Learn how to get in person help signing up at the Public Health Insider.
King County Parks commemorates 25 years of serving White Center youth with teen program
 Since its start in 1991, King County Parks’ White Center Teen Program has given White Center youth a safe, positive place to get involved in year-round recreation and educational programs and activities. The ultimate goal is to reduce youth involvement in violent, criminal or gang-related activities and increase young people’s connection to community through civic and volunteer opportunities. To date, the program has reached more than 26,000 participants and currently serves 1,200 young people age 12 to 19 years old annually.
LUZIA by Cirque du Soleil returns to Marymoor Park
 LUZIA is a poetic and acrobatic ode to the rich and vibrant culture of Mexico. Like in a waking dream, LUZIA takes you to an imaginary Mexico, where light quenches the spirit and rain soothes the soul. Opens March 30, under the Big Top, at King County’s Marymoor Park. Tickets are on sale via the event website.
South Star Lake Road
Drainage improvement work is happening on South Star Lake Road near Kent and Auburn from South 277th Street to 600 feet south. Expect daily closures from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Feb. 3.
 Don’t Drip and Drive!
Mechanics at over 200 shops throughout the region are helping drivers fix car leaks and keep Puget Sound clean. Find a shop near you and get the $50 coupon off leak repairs at participating shops. Visit the website for the coupon, tips on how to diagnose leaks, or find a mechanic.
Community Service Area news
Bear Creek/Sammamish Area
Upper Bear Creek Community Council
For more information about the community council, visit the Upper Bear Creek Community Council website or the the Upper Bear Creek Facebook page.
Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain Area
Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meeting
Feb. 15, 7 - 9 p.m., at Eastside Fire & Rescue Station 78 at 20720 SE May Valley Rd. in Issaquah. Visit the Four Creeks UAC website for the latest information.
Community Alliance to Reach Out and Engage
Feb. 27, 6:30 - 8 p.m., at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church at 12819 160th Ave. SE, in Renton. For more information, visit the website.
Southeast May Valley Road closures
Drainage improvement work on Southeast May Valley Road, about 1/4 mile east of 150th Place Southeast near Newcastle and Renton, has been extended. Daily closures will run through February 3.
Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River Area
Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council meetings
Feb. 6, 7 - 9 p.m., at the Fire Station, 231st St and SR-169 in Maple Valley.Check the Greater Maple Valley UAC website for details.
This item submitted by the GMVUAC.
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Issaquah-Hobart Road
In response to Hobart residents’ concerns about speeding in areas where the posted speed limit is 40 mph, the King County Department of Transportation has agreed to install two temporary “Your Speed” electronic boards. The area council will monitor the effectiveness of the use of electronic boards on traffic speed.
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Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Area
 Tolt-MacDonald Park barn rehabilitation update
Installation of new windows and the painting of the siding and trim at the barn were completed in early January. Additional work, including the roof replacement of the barn, is planned for this year. The barn will remain closed during repairs and is expected to reopen this summer.
Fall City Community Association meeting
Feb. 10, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., at the Fall City Fire Station, 4301 334th Place Southeast in Fall City. Monthly board meeting, open to the public. For more information visit the Fall City Community Association website or contact Ashley Glennon.
Southeast King County Area
Southeast Green Valley Road closure
From Feb. 6 through March 17, Southeast Green Valley Road between Southeast 354th Street and 240th Avenue Southeast near Black Diamond will close for a roadway improvement project. The construction will require a 24/7 road closure.
Green Valley/Lake Holm Association
Jan. 25 and Feb. 22, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., at the Black Diamond Library, 24707 Roberts Drive in Black Diamond. The January meeting agenda includes a discussion with Rick Brater, King County Department of Transportation Road Services Engineer, regarding options for local residents to maintain the rural travel environment of their area in the face of development, and updates on current and future road projects and needs in the vicinity. Open to the public. For more information, or to subscribe to our mailing list, email the Green Valley/Lake Holm Association. Follow us on Twitter.
This item submitted by the Green Valley/Lake Holm Association
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The Green Valley/Lake Holm Association would like to thank Fauna Nopp, Porter Levee Setback and Floodplain Restoration Project manager and King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) employees. They informed us of a local fish habitat improvement project and, at our urging, stayed in communication and worked to arrange funding and coordination for DOT assistance to eliminate a historical road flooding problem in the same area. The DNRP project goes forward this year on the Green River.
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Vashon/Maury Island Area
Maury Island Natural Area restoration update
The restoration work at the Maury Island Natural Area is almost complete. Contractor crews removed invasive vegetation and replanted three acres of the park in the area south of Southwest 260th Street. In early 2017, contractor crews will finish off the project by restoring the trail to its original pre-construction condition. King County Parks is doing this work in order to comply with their agreed order with the Washington Department of Ecology to clean up contaminated soil at the site. For more information and to sign up for updates, visit the website.
West King County Area
Steve Cox Memorial Park rehabilitation update
 Rehabilitation work Mel Olson Stadium at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center is underway. Netting has been removed and the demolition of the existing lighting system has taken place. The project is on schedule to be completed by the end of February, in time for the start of baseball season. Overall work includes structural seismic upgrades, metal roof panel replacement, concrete patch repairs, wall surface treatments, power washing, painting, backstop pad replacement and lighting upgrades.
North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting
Feb. 2, 7 - 9 p.m. at the North Highline Fire District Training Center, 1243 SW 112th Street in Seattle. Monthly board meeting of residents in the North Highline area, regularly features guest speakers, in addition to community reports and information from a variety of local organizations. For more information, check the North Highline UAC website or contact Liz Giba.
West Hill Community Association Board meeting
Feb. 8, 7-9 p.m. at the Skyway Fire District 20, 12417 76th Ave. So. in Seattle. Monthly board meeting of residents in West Hill, often features guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from a variety of local organizations. Open to the public. Check the West Hill Community Association website or Facebook for details. For more information contact Sonja Bowden.
West Hill Business Association meeting
Feb. 21, 9 a.m., Skyway VFW, 7421 S 126th St., in Seattle. A monthly meeting of the business community of West Hill. Open to the public. For more information contact Cynthia Lamothe.
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