Healthpoint Services has announced plans to construct a new clinic at the corner of South 146th and Tukwila International Boulevard in Tukwila. This weekend, community members gathered for an official groundbreaking ceremony. I was pleased to join as I had advocated for this project during my 16 years on the Tukwila City Council.
As you may know, Healthpoint is a community-based network of non-profit health centers providing services ranging from primary care to dentistry to pharmacy and behavioral health services as well. This new clinic will transform a block that had been riddled with crime for decades.
Golden shovels commemorate the groundbreaking of the site for
the new Healthpoint Center on May 31, 2025.
Previously on the site were three notorious motels associated with drugs, prostitution, theft and other horrible and violent crimes. The Tukwila police department fought crime at these motels for decades, but the problem had taken root in the 1970’s.
In 2013, the Tukwila City Council approved purchasing the high crime properties. On a separate and confidential path, the Tukwila Police Department partnered with other law enforcement agencies including the US Attorney General, US Marshal, and the US Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). Together, these agencies completed a year-long undercover operation that culminated on August 27, 2013 with over 400 law enforcement officers descending on the three motels at 6 AM. On that day, Tukwila shut the motels down and boarded them up for good.
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Following this effort, Tukwila hosted a community potluck called “Come Sit at Our Table” which was an event designed to bring neighbors together to reactivate and reclaim this space for community. To move this space from “Harm to Health”.
Tukwila Mayor Tom McLeod and CM De’Sean Quinn
speaking at the Healthpoint Groundbreaking on Saturday, May 31
Healthpoint is building this clinic with two guiding principles that will shape not only the experience of patients but also will help transform our entire community moving forward. The first principle is to be Restorative: having the ability to restore health and well-being. The second principle is to be Regenerative: the process of renewing, restoring, and growing again.
The design for the new Healthpoint Medical Services Center in Tukwila.
Restoring and regenerating community space in Tukwila!
Tukwila Mayor Tom McLeod, Tukwila City Councilmember Verna Seal and
King County Councilmember De’Sean Quinn celebrate the groundbreaking
of the new Healthpoint Medical Services Center
The goal of the D5 e-news is to share information about council business, upcoming community events, access to services, opportunities, and ways for us to build an even better King County.
If you have something to share, please do not hesitate to contact me at desean.quinn@kingcounty.gov or 206 477-1005.
Last Friday, I met in Normandy Park with Mayor Eric Zimmerman. Mayor Zimmerman told us about work underway in Normandy Park to protect and improve public access to the shoreline. We also discussed work to reduce poverty and homelessness, to support public health and overall, the importance of finding ways for King County and Normandy Park to work together.
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Later that afternoon, I met at SeaTac City Hall with Mayor Mohamed Egal. Mayor Egal’s energy for his city is infectious. We discussed ways for King County and the City of SeaTac to work in partnership to support city residents including immigrants and seniors. |
On Saturday, I spoke at the groundbreaking for the new Healthpoint Center in Tukwila.
In the afternoon, I met with Mayor Armando Pavone at Renton City Hall (see the view from City Hall in the photo of Mayor Pavone below). We discussed public safety priorities, transit and plans for centralizing and improving services to help people facing homelessness.
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I then went to Des Moines and met with Mayor Traci Buxton at the Quarterdeck – a small coffeehouse and taproom at the marina. We discussed the new Marina Steps project which will create a family-friendly community gathering space, play-spaces, and easy pedestrian access from downtown Des Moines to the waterfront. We also discussed local non-profit organizations serving residents. Mayor Buxton was greeted by multiple constituents with smiles and hugs. |
On Tuesday, I attended the Housing, Health and Human Services committee meeting where we received a briefing from King County Operations Director Dwight Dively on what federal actions we can expect in the next weeks and months and how they may impact local services.
For example, if FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) funding is cut as anticipated, how can King County work with Pierce and Snohomish counties to prepare to respond to a natural disaster.
Much of the discussion focused on dramatic cuts to Medicaid funding as proposed by the U.S. House of Representatives. WA State has 1.8 million residents who receive support from Medicaid.
We also heard from panelists on the potential impact of Medicaid cuts. Representatives from Harborview Hospital spoke about how Medicaid cuts will impact not only the trauma hospital but rural hospitals potentially resulting in the complete elimination of services. I invite you to watch this presentation here.
Finally, we heard a report on ways to improve health care services in the King County Jail with the goal of reducing recidivism by addressing health needs.
At the afternoon council meeting, the Council presented a proclamation declaring June to be 2SLBGTQia+ PRIDE Month to multiple advocacy organizations which stand for civil rights and support families with gay, queer and trans youth.
King County Council proclaimed June 2025 PRIDE Month
Left to Right: CM Baron, Falefia Jr. Brandon Fuamatu, Development Director for UTOPIA WA , CM Quinn,
Jaelynn Scott, Executive Director of Lavender Rights Project, CM Zahilay, CM Mosqueda, Axron Burton, Executive Director of Pride Across the Bridge CM Balducci, Ken Shulman, Executive Director of Lambert House, xx, CM Dembowski
The council also presented a proclamation declaring June to be Ride Transit Month. The proclamation was received by Executive Director of Transportation Choices Coalition who spoke about ways to incorporate transit into daily life. For more information about Ride Transit Month BINGO, sponsored by the Transportation Choices Coalition, please scroll down.
The King County Council proclaimed June 2025 to be Ride Transit Month
Left to right: CM Zahilay, Kirk Hovenkotter- Executive Director and
Iz Berrang- Education and Engagement Manger, Transportation Choices Coalition,
CM Quinn, CM Balducci, CM Baron and CM Mosqueda.
The council interviewed candidates to fill the vacancy in the WA State Senate created with the passing of Senator Bill Ramos. The council voted in support of Representative Victoria Hunt for the Senate seat (5LD) and she was sworn in to fill the vacant position until voters take action at the next election.
This decision left open the house seat. In anticipation of this, the Council interviewed three candidates for the House seat and ultimately voted to appoint Zach Hall.
Newly Appointed WA State Senator Victoria Hunt and Representative Zach Hall
will represent the 5th Legislative District
Left to right: CM Balducci, CM Quinn, Rep Lisa Callan, CM Mosqueda,
CM Dembowski, newly appointed Senator Victoria Hunt, CM Zahilay,
newly appointed Representative Zach Hall and CM Baron.
CM Sarah Perry participated in the meeting remotely.
I was pleased to speak with two of the candidates in advance of the meeting and to ask a question of all candidates – Senate and House – regarding how they would plan to advocate at the state level to reduce greenhouse gases to address climate change.
The Council also considered a motion proposed by CM Balducci calling on King County Assessor John Arthur Wilson to resign. This motion was tabled until next Tuesday.
On Thursday, my staff met with the Government Relations Team on federal and state issues facing King County.
On Friday I spoke in support of gun safety at a Gun Lockbox event in Kent sponsored by Public Health – Seattle/King County.
King County Councilmember, District 5
Des Moines, Kent, Normandy Park, Renton, SeaTac, Tukwila
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