The Executive Board identified funding for projects on the prioritized contingency list in the 2005-2007 Regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

The Board proposes $28.8 million more for transportation projects in the region in 2005 than previously anticipated. The new funding comes from higher than expected levels of federal funding available through the PSRC. The additional funding would go to projects previously identified on a contingency list, an idea advanced by Tukwila Councilmember Pam Carter last fall to expedite projects if additional funds became available. The projects were previously assessed on their merits in regional competition last year. The list of projects is available online at psrc.org. The projects will go through air quality analysis and be released for public comment this fall.

For more information, contact Karen Richter at 206-464-6343 or krichter@psrc.org.

The Executive Board approved funding for seven projects via the Rural Town Centers and Corridors program.

PSRC issued a call for projects for funding available through the Rural Town Centers and Corridors in February 2005. After technical evaluation and scoring, seven projects emerged as the most effective use of this funding. The projects are Enumclaw's SR-410 Corridor Study, SR-203 Duvall Center Project, SR-305 Kingston to Agate Pass Bridge Study, SR-161 Eatonville Town Center, SR-162 Orting Rechannelization and Streetscape Improvements, US 2 Snohomish to Skykomish Corridor Study and SR-9 Operations Improvements Study. The projects will go through air quality analysis and be released for public comment this fall.

For more information, contact King Cushman at 206-464-6174 or kcushman@psrc.org.

The Executive Board designated Downtown Burien as a Regional Growth Center.

PSRC received a request from the City of Burien for Regional Growth Center designation in April 2005. The City of Burien's application was evaluated pursuant to the Designation Criteria for Regional Growth and Manufacturing Industrial Centers, adopted in June 2003 by the Executive Board. Downtown Burien meets all minimum eligibility requirements as well as PSRC's adopted criteria for center designation. The proposed center is appropriately sited with respect to existing regional growth centers and transportation facilities. It also meets standards for employment and housing concentration, has demonstrated capacity for growth, and a commitment to human-scale urban form.

For more information, contact Yorik Stevens-Wajda at 206-389-2158 or ystevens@psrc.org.

The Executive Board amended its structure in response to State Legislation.

The Legislature included a proviso in the transportation appropriation that required PSRC to make adjustments to the voting structure of the Executive Board in order to continue to receive state planning funds. PSRC must review its membership criteria to ensure that jurisdictions of significant population within the region are represented, which at this time requires that the City of Federal Way receive a voting seat. The Legislature also required that the Port of Bremerton receive a voting seat. The Executive Board will now be comprised of 32 members. Over the next several months the Operations Committee will review the membership criteria to ensure jurisdictional representation. This work will be brought forward to the Executive Board for consideration prior to the next legislative session.

For more information, contact Robin Rock at 206-464-7091 or rrock@psrc.org.

In other business, the Executive Board: