SEATTLE—Seattle Councilmember Richard J. McIver was unanimously re-elected president of the Puget Sound Regional Council on March 20. The Regional Council coordinates regional growth and transportation planning for King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties.
McIver was re-elected at the annual General Assembly meeting of government leaders representing the region's counties, cities, ports and transportation agencies. The Assembly re-elected Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg to serve as vice president.
"I'm honored to lead the Regional Council for another term and work with leaders throughout the region to make progress on transportation, economic development, and growth planning," said McIver.
At the General Assembly meeting, McIver presented Snohomish County Executive Bob Drewel with a "President's VISION 2020 Award," recognizing Drewel's sustained regional leadership. Drewel is the Regional Council's longest serving board member, and a past president of the Council.
The Assembly members also honored the 2003 VISION 2020 Award winners. This annual awards program recognizes visionary projects, programs and plans that are helping to achieve the goals of VISION 2020, the region's united growth management and transportation strategy. The award winners are:
Car Smart Communities Challenge Grants (Seattle) - Grant program to empower Seattle residents to develop ways to reduce traffic in their neighborhoods
Chihuly Bridge of Glass (Tacoma) -- Pedestrian bridge featuring hundreds of pieces of glass artwork that connects a redeveloping waterfront to downtown Tacoma.
Community Conversations -- Kirkland 2022 -- Community outreach program for the city's 10-year update of its comprehensive plan, to encourage public involvement in changes to the city's vision and key goals.
Everett Station - A new transportation hub in downtown Everett that also serves as a important civic building with a higher education and career development center and a gathering place for community events.
Mukilteo Village Center - A new pedestrian-friendly development with housing, shopping, employment and recreation in a small town village setting near downtown Mukilteo.
Natural Drainage System (Seattle) - Innovative approach to reduce stormwater runoff and protect water quality by redesigning streets with diverse plants and trees, narrow, curved streets, open drainage swales, and street gardens.
Pay-Per-Use Parking Program (University of Washington) -- Program allows university employees to be electronically charged each time they park (rather than paying a flat monthly fee), rewarding them for leaving their vehicles at home. Users also receive free bus pass and Flexcar membership.
Talus (Issaquah) - A new development in Issaquah that balances new housing, environmental protection and public infrastructure improvements. Only 25 percent of the site will be developed - the rest will be left in a natural state.
Special RecognitionRedmond RiverWalk -- Habitat restoration and trail enhancements along a 1.3-mile segment of the Sammamish River in downtown Redmond.
Sultan Industrial Park Master Plan - An ambitious plan for an industrial park along SR 2 designed to create local, family-wage jobs in a small community.
3rd Street SW Grade Separation Project - A FAST Corridor project that built an over-crossing of a rail line and other improvements, allowing for quick, safe movement of auto and train traffic through downtown Auburn.
The Regional Council develops policies and coordinates decisions about regional growth and transportation planning in King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties. The Council is composed of over 80 county, city, port, transit, tribal and state agencies serving the region. It coordinates the distribution of about $100 million in Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transportation Administration funds each year. The Regional Council sets priorities and evaluates the most efficient ways to target those funds to support state and local transportation and growth management plans.
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