Businesses wary of proposed LID

Enthusiasm was in short supply at the Kent Chamber of Commerce’s special meeting Wednesday to discuss the city’s proposed Local Improvement District that would be created to help pay for railroad grade separations.

Enthusiasm was in short supply at the Kent Chamber of Commerce’s special meeting Wednesday to discuss the city’s proposed Local Improvement District that would be created to help pay for railroad grade separations.

“If you don’t have the money to do it, just don’t do it. Seeking 80-percent funding from business owners in that area is exceedingly high,” said Nick Dhami, whose son, Harmon, owns the Arco AM/PM station on 212th and 84th Avenue.

Jeff Ficks, with Skis Painting, echoed his sentiments.

“You don’t have the money, so you scale back,” Ficks said.

The taxes, he continued, never stop. “You’re hurting small businesses in Kent. It’s hard enough for us to make a living.”

The three proposed grade separations, which would include 212th Street and 228th Street, are estimated to cost $80 million, of which $20 million have been acquired through various grants, the largest being a $13 grant through Washington’s Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB ) in 2004.

But recently, city planners and engineers discovered that the board had voted to pull the grant funding if the city couldn’t produce a funding package by November. One of its first plans was to appeal to business owners in the area while still seeking grants.

New contracts with BNSF and Union Pacific are estimated to vastly increase the volume of trains running through Kent. Among the coal and oil carrying impacts that the trains will generate, commute and wait times at train tracks will be increased. Currently estimated to be two hours of stalled time each day, the trains (some of which could run 1.5 miles long) are expected to add another hour to that time.

Other members of the chamber were more open to listen.

“What about doing a single critical grade separation?” asked April Sta Rosa with Valley Floors.

Engineer Chad Bieren responded that they considered that in the past, but the FMSIB grant applies the $13 for all three and prohibits them being rolled into a single project.

Kent Public Works Director Tim Laporte said that this is the first part of several grants the city is pursuing, explaining that “a lot of people want to be the last man in,” which gives them both prestige and leverage.

The city has acknowledged that it’s a sudden and uncomfortable reality to request $60 million from business owners, but the FMSIB has forced its hand. Laporte hopes that, with the inclusion of a LID agreement, more grant agencies can see that there is serious interest and investment in the area and will be more receptive to offering funds.

 


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Kent police investigate fatal two-vehicle collision

The collision killed a woman and left a 45-year-old Tacoma driver, suspected of intoxication at the time of the crash, hospitalized.

Competing for the 8th Congressional District: Carmen Goers, left, and Kim Schrier. COURTESY PHOTOS
Adam Smith and Kim Schrier will retain Congress seats | Election 2024

Smith represents the 9th Congressional District and Schrier represents the 8th Congressional District.

Courtesy of Democratic Caucus
Pictured left to right: Sen. Bob Hasegawa (D), Rep. David Hackney, and Rep. Steve Bergquist
Democratic incumbents in lead for 11th Legislative District

Bob Hasegawa, David Hackney and Steve Bergquist have strong leads, with Hasegawa and Hackney running unopposed.

Debra Entenman and Kyle Lyebyedyev. File photos
Entenman and Stearns lead in 47th District | Election 2024

The district includes Kent, Covington and Auburn.

File photo
Kent School District levy is failing at the polls | Election 2024

Early election results show voters rejecting the proposed Capital Projects and Technology Levy.

Larry Best, a customer coordinator for quality assurance who has worked at Boeing for 38 years, stands outside of Angel of the Winds Arena with a “vote no” sign on Monday in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists approve contract, ending 52-day strike

After voting no twice, 59% of union members approved the latest contract.

Photos from the United States Attorney's Office Western District of Washington press release.
Kent man arrested in connection to violent drug trafficking gang investigation

Law enforcement seized more than 20 kilograms of fentanyl, 60 firearms, and more than $130,000 in cash.

Courtesy Photo, King County
Son accused of fatally shooting mother’s boyfriend in Kent back in jail

Dondre Butler has 3 violations in 13 months of electronic home detention after charged with murder in 2022

t
Kent Police targeted street patrols result in arrest of two felons

One driver spotted in a vehicle with no plates; another driver reportedly in a stolen vehicle

t
Kent cold case murder suspect back in state after governor’s warrant | Update

Kenneth Kundert fought extradition from Arkansas after August arrest in 1980 killing of Dorothy Silzel

t
City of Kent eyes November opening for Reith Road roundabouts

Two more roundabouts will bring total in city to six; three more in future plans