In regard to the recent articles on Kent’s road projects and traffic impact fees (TIFs), there’s other projects that will improve congestion besides the railroad-crossing projects.
1) The “Y” intersection on Kent East Hill where Kent-Kangley Road/256th Avenue Southeast/104th Avenue Southeast intersect needs to be improved. The property that Dollarwise left vacant can be condemed to make room for widening that intersection. Those small businesses that are still there can be re-located nearby. There’s available space across the street in the plaza that’s by Old Country Buffet. On 104th Avenue Southeast near Walgreen’s and slightly north near Liberty Tax also has space. The Plaza across from McDonald’s on 256th Avenue Southeast is also available.
Kent City politicians shouldn’t be concerned about losing the property and business tax revenue because the economy is so bad that there’s always gonna be vacant space somewhere. Sales-tax revenue will actually increase when shoppers realize just how much more easier it will be to travel to that area of town.
2) Meeker Street/I-167 overpass. There’s enough room there to make a southbound-only exit ramp. This will allow travelers a direct path to the arena, courthouse, and playfields instead of having to use the Central Avenue exit or the Willis Street exit. This would ease the backups at the railroad crossings.
3) On Kent-Kangley Road across from Lake Meridian Park there’s a vacant, undeveloped lot next to the day-care. This lot can be converted to extra parking and a skybridge similiar to the one on 240th can be installed to link the parking lot with the park. This will ease congestion and make crossing the road much safer.
As it is now people must walk several blocks east to 152nd Avenue Southeast or several blocks west to 144th Avenue Southeast to use a crosswalk. All of these projects will cost much less than the big railroad crossing ones and can be completed in less time.
To help cover costs an internship program can be formed with university graduate-level students to fill the entry- and mid-level labor positions. This would look impressive on a resume when they graduate and go into that field of work. Taxpayer donations could also be accepted in a way that will allow them to be wrote off on their taxes.
If I was rich I’d rather donate my money toward something like that than to a charity that’s not trustworthy or to a cause that’s already receiving plenty of revenue from other donators. City of Kent should hold an open-house event so people can present ideas and opinions on these issues.
Eric Thornton
Kent
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