JUNE 2000

First incorporated in 1891, Auburn has evolved from a primarily agricultural area to a regional commerce and retail hub in southeast King County. Auburn's once vibrant downtown declined over the years due to growing competition from regional malls. In the last decade, however, the city has made substantial progress in promoting redevelopment downtown, and anticipates another big boost when the commuter rail and regional express bus station is operational.

Most of the actions outlined in the city's 1990 comprehensive plan have been accomplished, including sidewalks, street lighting and benches that make downtown a very pleasant place to be. Auburn is now in the midst of a downtown planning effort that will build on new transportation investments -- the Sounder station and the Third Street FAST corridor project, which will ease conflicts between rail and automobile traffic.

The new Auburn Station will include a large public plaza, a bus transit center, park-and-ride lot and drop-off areas for train and bus riders. Special concierge services are planned so riders can drop off their cars for repair at the station. Construction is underway and expected to be completed by February 2000. Sounder trains are due to start running in September.

Sumner

Through a long history of successful land use planning, Sumner has managed to preserve its small-town character. "Old-town" Sumner is full of well-kept, craftsman-style homes with manicured lawns within walking distance of downtown, which is still the focal point of the 108- year-old city.

The city wanted to accommodate new housing growth, but still keep the same small-town feeling and walkability of older neighborhoods in Sumner. In partnership with developers, the school district and rotary club, the city helped revitalize the Daffodil Neighborhood just east of the downtown core. The results include 65 neo-traditional, single-family houses on small lots, 42 cottage units, eight live-work units, and eight apartments in a mixed-use building. Other amenities include a new school specifically designed to be pedestrian-friendly, a new athletic complex, and a new church, St. Andrew's Parish, which is an important icon at the center of the neighborhood.

Sumner's future commuter rail station in downtown is designed to resemble a hops kiln reflecting the agricultural history and heritage of Sumner. When service starts, Sound Transit will provide covered platforms, parking, passenger safety and security, lighting, accessibility improvements and transfer areas to get on Pierce Transit and Sound Transit buses.

South Hill

Located just off SR 512 in Puyallup, South Hill contains a regional mall, suburban shopping, apartment complexes, office buildings, and a semiconductor plant and associated industries. Although it has been designated an urban center by Pierce County, the area lacks many characteristics of a walkable, compact center. The area is zoned "auto-oriented commercial" and includes stores such as Target, Office Depot, Lamonts, Home Depot, and a drive-through Starbucks.

Annexed by Puyallup just three years ago, the area has experienced more growth in the last 20 years than any other area in Pierce County. Residents are concerned about traffic, and are currently working on a community plan.

Lakewood

Incorporated just three years ago, Lakewood is characterized by suburban, single-family neighborhoods. The city is working hard to create a sense of place by establishing a central business district and a special district around the future Lakewood Sound Transit station to accommodate a dense mix of office, retail and high-density housing. The city also plans to improve conditions for biking and walking and improve aesthetics throughout the city.

An interesting aspect of Lakewood's planning effort is their designation of an "urban renewal district," which includes Lakewood Station and the central business district. This designation will allow the city to participate in land assembly in an effort to promote redevelopment. Potential zoning for this area would require minimum densities of about 40 units per acre.

Lakewood Mall, which in the past has suffered from high vacancies and poor highway access, may be purchased by a developer who plans to invest heavily in improving the property. This could include "de-malling" by opening up the property to the outside and putting a new public street through the mall. The city plans to build a new city hall near the mall as part of the redevelopment.

Sounder commuter rail service to the Lakewood Station will begin operating by late 2001. The station is planned to be located along Pacific Highway SW. The city hopes to maximize investments in the station with expanded park-and-ride lots and transit connections.

University Place

When University Place incorporated five years ago, the city had only five blocks of sidewalks, no bike lanes and just a handful of street lights. And the city was among the most densely populated areas in Pierce County.

One of the promises of incorporation was to begin to address the city's infrastructure deficit. Since then, the city has spent $20 million on new infrastructure, including a city hall complex. They've addressed safety problems by putting in medians to slow down traffic, added 6 miles of sidewalks and 4 miles of bike lanes, and constructed the state's first traffic "roundabout." The city has also acquired over 30 acres of park property and has plans to reclaim one of the largest gravel mines in North America for recreation and other uses.

The city is beginning the process of creating a town center around 40th and Bridgeport Way that currently includes the city hall, library, city park, and shopping areas. New sidewalks, bike lanes, landscaped medians, crosswalks and street trees along Bridgeport Way were added to promote private development in the surrounding center.

Tacoma

Redevelopment activities in downtown Tacoma are gathering steam. Over the past decade, the city has been successful in attracting significant reinvestment -- projects have included renovation of Union Station, the new Washington State History Museum, and the University of Washington Tacoma campus. In addition, the city plans to redevelop the former industrial area along the Thea Foss Waterway for public use. Plans are for construction of a pedestrian bridge housing five glass pavilions that will link downtown to the Thea Foss Waterway and the new International Glass Museum.

Additional redevelopment activities are planned along the 1.6-mile light rail segment between the Tacoma Dome District and downtown due to begin operation in 2002. Projects include a new boutique hotel, retail/office development, housing, and a new convention center.

Tacoma Dome Station will be a true transportation hub -- one of the largest in the state -- that will connect light rail, commuter rail, express and local buses, Amtrak, and Greyhound buses. The Dome District currently has a 1,200-stall parking garage; a second garage is under construction and will be completed this fall.

For more information about sites visited on the tour, or activities related to the update of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, please contact Norman Abbott, (206) 464-7134.

Local Experts Brief Board Members

Members of the Growth Management Policy Board heard very useful commentary on land use and transportation issues in south Sound cities from local experts along the tour. Thank you to the following elected officials and staff for their contributions: