 Two Flood Reduction Grant projects at apartment buildings located along Kelsey Creek will help reduce flooding
Every year, the King County Flood Control District (FCD) awards grants to projects designed to reduce flooding around King County. Because the climate is changing and storms is becoming more intense, we are experiencing increased flooding in our urban and suburban neighborhoods and often in low-income areas where residents cannot afford to protect their property against flooding.
As a member of the Board of Supervisors for the FCD, I am pleased that the King County Housing Authority received two Flood Reduction Grants this year totaling $590,000 for projects at apartment buildings located along Kelsey Creek in Bellevue. The Illahee Apartments provide homes to very low-income residents, and vacant units are dedicated to house homeless families who have children in the Bellevue School District. The Sandpiper East Apartments provide below-market workforce rental homes for low and moderate households.
These Flood Reduction Grants will be used to replace aging and undersized culverts, restore two failing roadway bridges and improve fish habitat at the sites. A damaged public sewer line crossing over Kelsey Creek will be improved as part of the work. Both projects will help to reduce flooding and risk to infrastructure from storm damage, improve residents’ ability to access the buildings safely during storms and enhance fish passage.
“These grant funds will help King County Housing Authority protect the safety of the residents and preserve these housing assets for the long term in Bellevue. We are also proud to make improvements to benefit endangered salmon and other species that depend on the health of Kelsey Creek,” King County Housing Authority Deputy Executive Director and Chief Development Officer Dan Watson said.
Help plan for East Link Light Rail in 2023
 Last weekend’s opening of light rail to Northgate is just the beginning of major transit expansions across our region, including East Link Extension in 2023 and Downtown Redmond Link Extension in 2024. I had a great time visiting each of the three new stations. It gave me a better sense for how transformational light rail will be to the Eastside.
 Click on the image to watch the video of the Northgate Link Extension grand opening
New light rail isn’t the only transit service that will be changing in 2023. Bus routes across the Eastside will be modified to take advantage of the fast, frequent and reliable transit service that light rail brings. Right now, King County Metro and Sound Transit want your input on their draft bus network map. Check out the online resources, or attend the next virtual open house on Saturday, October 16 from 10am to 11am here:
Celebrating Disability Employment Awareness Month
 On Tuesday, I joined my King County Council colleagues in declaring October National Disability Employment Awareness Month. I am proud of King County’s Supported Employment program, which ensures that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can use their skills and abilities to help provide King County residents with the services and programs they rely on while earning a fair wage.
Let’s take this opportunity to celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities and recommit ourselves to educating ourselves on the barriers, prejudices, and attitudes that still exclude people with disabilities from fully participating in the workplace. Learn more from AtWork!, a Bellevue-based organization that empowers people with disabilities to be productive, integrated, and contributing members of their communities:
You can also visit the Office of Disability Employment Policy for ideas about how to observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month and help make workplaces more inclusive and accepting for everyone in our community:
Spread the word!
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Sincerely,
 Claudia Balducci
King County Council
District 6
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