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BUSINESS | Bellevue gun range commits to community, safety [7]
People | Rob, Marilyn McKenna to Community | Years after a tragic accident took the life of their son, a Newport Hills family co-chair fundraising for new Bellevue Downtown Park [13] FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013 finds solace in community response [14]
I-90 toll discussion draws plenty of debate BY CELINA KAREIVA BELLEVUE REPORTER
Eastside residents gathered Wednesday, Jan. 30 at Bellevue City Hall to share feedback on the possibility of instating an I-90 toll between I-5 in Seattle and I-405 in Bellevue. Though more tame than a meeting the previous night on Mercer Island, attendants resoundingly opposed the idea. Craig Stone, tolling division assistant secretary of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), told the crowd that unlike other major construction projects that require complicated impact assessments, this was a matter of “social standpoint.” The State Legislature requested that WSDOT consider the possibility of tolling, said Stone. With a $1.4 billion funding gap, the money raised would go toward completing the rest of State Route 520’s construction. It’s too early to determine rates, but approval of the plan could take place as soon as 2014. “Some people look at tolling as that the user, the region [should be] paying for it,” said Stone. “My opinion is that we have three Washingtons: the central Puget Sound region, the rest of Western Washington and Eastern Washington…We have dramatic needs here…It comes down to how does this
City considers land use change BY CELINA KAREIVA BELLEVUE REPORTER
Bellevue is considering amending land use codes to allow for more auto dealerships in certain pockets of the city. Retail auto sales account for about 14 percent of the city’s sales tax, says Senior Planner, Mike Bergstrom. “Because of the significant dollar amount and the difficulty we have had in finding relocation opportunities for SEE LAND CODE, 6
WSDOT Toll Division Director Craig Stone speaks to a crowd of local residents at the I-90 tolling meeting on Jan. 29, 2013. REBECCA MAR, Reporter Newspapers region pay for it?” A round-trip fare on SR 520, which began tolling last year, costs an average of more than $7 during rush hour. But more than it is to fund budgetary shortfalls, Stone said that tolls would help relieve congestion on I-90, which has seen 15,000 more drivers daily since 520 began its own program. Many in attendance felt disappointed with WSDOT, which they accused of mismanaging previous project funds. Robert Shay asked Stone how they could possibly ask the public to back tolling. “There’s a lot of mismanagement,” said another attendee, referencing media reports of leaking pontoons on the 520 project. “And now you’re asking us to cough it up again?” Many residents expressed contempt that legislatures were not present at the meeting despite being the ones to order the study. After taking several questions from the crowd, Stone encouraged attendees to leave comments online or with one of the many WSDOT staff present. He assured them that their words would be included in the final report. Informational boards were staged throughout the room. Outside, a group, self-titled “No toll on I-90,” passed out flyers and asked for signa-
tures. The site, managed mostly by Mercer Island residents, argues that tolling would have serious cross-corridor impacts: “Tolling I-90 amounts to a ‘penalty tax’ for living on Mercer Island, going to school there, working there, and doing business there. Mercer Island is a neighborhood community from which almost all trips necessary to maintain its residents’ quality of life -- employment, health care, shopping, after-school activities, charity, entertainment -- are to and from the mainland.” The tolling structure would likely follow that of SR 520. If I-90 is tolled, where will it end, asked one attendee? Another, an elderly resident from Mercer Island, said she crossed the bridge to volunteer on a weekly basis, and didn’t know if she would continue if charged for the crossing. Still more residents expressed concern for those whose work took them across the bridge. Stone said that while an environmental study would assess community impacts, it would be hard to track the micro level effects. WSDOT rationalizes that I-90 is part of the same corridor link as SR 520. More hearings will be held in November. If approved, tolls could start in late 2015 or early 2016.
Police looking for Munchbar witness The Bellevue Police Department is looking for assistance identifying a possible witness to the shooting death of DeShawn Milliken on Christmas Eve at Bellevue Square’s Munchbar. Identified as a black male wearing jeans and a white hat, the witness is believed to have been with the victim. Suspect Ja’Mari Jones, 19, pled not guilty to seconddegree murder in early January. At least five shots were fired into the crowded bar and one other Renton man was seriously injured that evening. Anyone with information has been asked to call 425452-6050.
Bellevue Police are looking for the man in the photo above. COURTESY PHOTO, Bellevue Police Department
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2012-12-06 9:47:50 PM