White Center Park goes wireless, $15 million economic redevelopment package announced today

"I am committed to revitalizing White Center and improving the quality of life of the residents there," said Executive Sims. "Our community partners, councilmembers and residents have been instrumental in making headway on a wide range of exciting redevelopment projects."

"We believe that White Center will become a model for the region, and will exemplify a diverse socioeconomic mix that is good for both residents and visitors to this neighborhood. Together we can build stronger communities by providing programs that empower our youth and provide services that are both affordable and accessible to anyone. Today we are taking a significant step forward in transforming that long-standing vision into reality."

"With a comprehensive package of improvements ranging from new sidewalks to new schools and housing to a technology education community center, the spotlight is now on White Center," said Dow Constantine, who represents the neighborhood on the King County Council. "We think these changes will open the door to new business and increased educational and economic opportunity for all."

The package of improvements will be submitted by the Executive to the County Council for full consideration.

Specific benefits of the White Center Initiative include:

• Greenbridge Hope VI Development
  King County has made a major investment in the Greenbridge Hope VI project, a King County Housing Authority development that will replace 569 units of severely distressed public housing with a model mixed-income community.
  
• New sidewalks in Central Business District
  King County will provide funding for existing sidewalks on both sides of 16th Ave. SW from Roxbury St. to SW 100th St. Approximately 60 pieces of community designed artwork will be integrated into the sidewalk along the length of the project.
  
• Façade Improvement Program
  King County is offering low interest loans to commercial property owners to restore and enhance their storefronts.
  
• Zoning changes to encourage redevelopment
  New zoning is in place that will revitalize the underdevelopment parcels on the east side of 15th Ave. SW, between SW 98th St. and SW 100th St., by allowing mixed-used development, housing, and more retail.
  
• White Center Bog/ Urban Connector Project
  King County is collaborating with the White Center Community Development Association to provide a safe and attractive pedestrian corridor between the new Greenbridge community and the Central Business District along 98th Street.
  
• Wireless Pilot Project in White Center Park
  A demonstration project of King County’s Public Access Network in White Center Park allows the public to access the internet free of charge with a wireless enabled laptop or PDA. The Executive will also demonstrate the new "MSN Wi-Fi Hotspot at White Center Park." MSN claimed the naming rights to Wi-Fi hotspots in King County's Parks with a sponsorship that contributes to parks maintenance and operations. White Center Park joins Marymoor Park and the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center as King County Parks’ wireless hot zones.
  
• Lakewood Park Community Center for the new millennium
  The Executive has proposed to contribute funding towards a partnership between King County and the Technology Access Foundation (TAF), a Seattle-based leader in technology education, to construct and operate a community center in the underutilized northeast corner of Lakewood Park.
  
• Flood reduction and water quality enhancements.
  King County has invested in a series of infrastructure improvements to reduce flooding. These enhancements will provide residents with greater opportunity to enjoy the natural environment in community parks and open spaces.
  
• Natural resource stewardship
  King County awarded grant monies for urban forestry projects. The funds support habitat restoration and tree planting in Lakewood and White Center Heights parks, provide summer jobs for White Center youth and engage adult volunteers and students from three local schools.

For more information about these projects visit www.metrokc.gov/exec/whitecenter.

King County is the regional and local service provider in our unincorporated areas, which includes the area of North Highline where White Center is located. When a community becomes part of a city, the county continues to provide regional services, but local services including roads and parks are provided by the city.