• Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg to Lead PSRC
  Auburn Mayor Pro Tem Sue Singer Elected Vice-President
• PSRC Presents Congressman Norm Dicks with the President's VISION 2020 Award For Sustained Leadership
• 2005 VISION 2020 Award Winners
• Back Issues

The General Assembly of the Puget Sound Regional Council voted unanimously to elect Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg as its President and Auburn Mayor Pro Tem Sue Singer as Vice-President.

"I am pleased to have the opportunity to lead such an excellent organization. PSRC brings the region together to make essential decisions with lasting impact," said Ladenburg. "The elected leaders at PSRC are among the most effective in the state. They understand the challenges we're facing aren't confined by city borders or county lines. Only by working together will we overcome the problems facing our economy, transportation system and other challenges that affect the growth and vitality of this region."

Executive Ladenburg has served as the PSRC Vice-President since 2002. He also serves as the President of the region's Economic Development District, which joined forces with PSRC in 2003 and as the Chair of Sound Transit.

Mayor Pro Tem Singer has served on the governing board of the PSRC for seven years as the delegate for suburban cities in King County, representing 743,000 people. She is an active member of the Suburban Cities Association and serves on the PSRC Operations Committee.

In another unanimous vote, the General Assembly adopted the 2006-07 Budget and Work Program. The Assembly also adopted a plan amendment to Destination 2030, adding three new candidate projects to the region's long-range transportation plan. The three projects are the expansion of SR 167 between Sumner and Renton, an additional southbound ramp between I-5 and SR 525 in Lynnwood, and enhancements to SR 302 near Gig Harbor.

Julia Patterson, Councilmember - King County; Chair, Transportation Policy Board

Patty Lent, Commissioner - Kitsap County; Vice Chair, Growth Management Policy Board

The General Assembly of the Puget Sound Regional Council includes elected representation from all 82 members of the PSRC, including counties, cities, towns, state agencies, transit agencies, ports, and Tribal Governments. The Assembly meets at least annually to vote on key issues regarding the PSRC work program and its leadership.

First I-Corps Command Color Guard, Fort Lewis -- Specialist James Marrs, Specialist Donald Hanks, Sgt. Crystal Cabido, Specialist Alfredo Gomez, Sgt. Joseph Stancil

PSRC Presents Congressman Norm Dicks with the President's VISION 2020 Award For Sustained Leadership

The Puget Sound Regional Council honored Congressman Norm Dicks with a special VISION 2020 Award for his achievements in revitalizing downtown Tacoma and Bremerton, his ongoing work to protect the Hood Canal and his sustained leadership toward implementing the region's growth strategy throughout the region. The award represents the region's highest honor in demonstrating outstanding leadership in enhancing the region's quality of life and economic vitality.

"Congressman Dicks has provided extraordinary sustained leadership in achieving the region's goals to enhance our quality of life and provide economic opportunity for all of us," says former PSRC President, Seattle Councilmember Richard McIver. "His work to champion the redevelopment of the Bremerton waterfront is just one example of the ways his leadership is making the region a better place to live, work and raise a family. And his leadership in other areas is making a big difference in places throughout the region, including the city I represent."

"Norm has been a huge asset to Tacoma's revitalization and Pierce County as a whole," says PSRC President, Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg. "He helped us secure the University of Washington's branch campus in Tacoma and was the energy behind the historic preservation of the Union Station courthouse - cornerstone projects that were key to bringing in new development into the city. When it comes to sustained leadership and energy, Norm has been a constant."

Tukwila Councilmember Pam Carter, Chair of the VISION 2020 Awards Selection Committee, honored nine other regional projects that are superb examples of the innovative work being done to provide affordable housing, revitalize urban centers, provide infrastructure, and enhance the region's environment.

"The winners highlight the strengths of our region -- natural beauty, community spirit, vibrant business centers and neighborhoods as well as diverse housing choices," said Councilmember Carter.

Bremerton Community Renewal Project -- This project revitalized the downtown core of Bremerton beginning with public investments in the Norm Dicks Government Center and the Kitsap Conference Center. Over $400 million in public projects are scheduled for the first phase of the plan. Private interests have responded quickly, retail space is full, the conference center is busy, and $19.3 million in private developments are in the works.

Redevelopment of the former Coast Guard property in Redmond -- A site created on surplus land including a mix of very low income family emergency shelter and transitional housing for formerly homeless individuals, low income ownership housing via Habitat for Humanity, and housing for median income households. The site includes a park.

YWCA Opportunity Place -- A new seven story region facility in Belltown offering 145 units of permanent housing for low-income individuals, comprehensive services for homeless women, and an employment and training center.

Everett Events Center -- The new mixed-use center has exceeded community expectations for events, attendance, community support, and economic stimulus. The Events Center is easily accessible by transit, offers good pedestrian facilities, and is revitalizing nearby developments with new retail and employment facilities.

Renton Airport Compatible Land Use Program -- The City of Renton's work to ensure incompatible land uses are not located near the airport, which is especially innovative because the airport is in the city center.

Mill Creek Town Center -- The town center includes nearly 500,000 square feet of office, entertainment, and retail space as well as 1200 new residential units in five compact neighborhoods surrounding the center. The Design Guidelines ensure pedestrian and transit friendly streets as well as quality construction.

Hillside Gardens Apartments & Eliza McCabe Townhomes -- A redevelopment in downtown Tacoma offering 36 units to families earning between 30 to 60% below the median income, 18 units of transitional housing for previously homeless families, and 13 units for disabled persons.

Tashiro Kaplan Artist Lofts -- An efficient redevelopment in Pioneer Square offering artists and their families who are earning below the median income permanent live work space.

Back Issues
March 2005 | February 2005 | December 2004 | November 2004 | October 2004 | September 2004 | August 2004 | July 2004 | June 2004 | May 2004 | April 2004 |