Dow Constantine

Dow Constantine

King County executive says Green River Road homeless clearing helps ensure safety

Dow Constantine says camps led to ‘an increase in unlawful behavior’

With King County Department of Local Services on Monday, Nov. 7 launching the project to clear, clean, and secure the roadway around Green River Road near Kent and Auburn, King County Executive Dow Constantine issued the following statement:

“During the beginning of the pandemic, a large number of cars and campers gathered along Green River Road, in the unincorporated area just outside of Kent and Auburn. Per public health guidance, the group was allowed to stay during the pandemic, but this year it has grown, with an increase in unlawful behavior and expanding dangerously close to the roadway.

“Allowing the situation to persist would further jeopardize the safety of the individuals, and the neighboring public. That’s why we proposed – and earlier this year the County Council approved – funding for cleaning and securing the area and today, after providing notice and offering a temporary alternative site for the vehicles being relocated, the King County Department of Local Services began that process. Following the cleaning of the site, we will enforce no parking in the area, and vehicles will not be allowed to return.

“The allocation of resources and the months of planning have helped to ensure the safety of all the individuals involved, our staff, and the public. This project is only possible through the collaboration of Local Services, the King County Sheriff’s Office, service providers and the King County Regional Homelessness Authority to help the individuals make connections to shelter and other resources.”

King County announced Nov. 3 it will close portions of Green River Road and 94th Place South Nov. 6-22 in the unincorporated area to clear, clean, secure and enforce no parking along the right-of-way areas, according to a County news release. All vehicles will be required to permanently move.

Project location

Work zone with full closure Nov. 6-22:

• Green River Road from 259th Street (near Kent city limits) to slightly south of the Green River Park (soccer field and P-Patch) parking lot.

• 94th Place South from the intersection of Green River Road (aka the Triangle) to approximately one third of a mile to the south. The closed segment does not include any adjacent private residences.

Work zone with intermittent closures/restrictions Nov. 6-22:

• The project also extends approximately 1.5 miles south along Green River Road to the Auburn city limits. This portion of the work will require only intermittent road closures or restrictions.

• Temporary lighting will be in place at the three full road closure barriers. The lighting will be on during all hours of darkness and is powered by generators, so some small engine noise should be expected.

• Work hours will be from approximately 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, including weekends.


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

t
SeaTac man, 21, fatally shot in vehicle in Kent on West Hill

Someone ran up and fired multiple shots into vehicle Nov. 21 at Veterans Drive and Military Road

Kentwood High School, 25800 164th Ave. SE, in Covington, remained without power Thursday morning, Nov. 21, according to Puget Sound Energy. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Kent schools remain closed due to windstorm damage, power outages

Second consecutive day of closures Thursday, Nov. 21 across the Kent School District

t
Kent-based Puget Sound Fire calls windstorm ‘one for the ages’

Agency responds to 308 calls in 12-hour period, including 245 for storm-related issues

Crews clear trees from State Route 18, which the Washington State Patrol closed in both directions Wednesday, Nov. 20, from Issaquah Hobart to I-90 over Tiger Mountain because of fallen trees during a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Washington State Patrol
Windstorm closes Kent schools, roads due to fallen trees

Many without power in areas of Kent and beyond

t
“Prolific” vehicular theft suspect arrested in Renton

Kent man holds 13 prior convictions and 41 arrests.

tt
Green Kent volunteer program wraps up season at city park

Volunteers remove invasive species, plant native trees and shrubs at Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks Park

t
Copper-wire thieves damage Kent Senior Center roof refrigeration unit

Facility temporarily loses commercial kitchen refrigerator but staff, community keep meals going

t
16-year-old girl dies in Covington single-car crash

Teen was driving when car crashed into a tree Nov. 15 along SE 256th Street just east of Kent

t
Kent Police Blotter: Oct. 24-Nov. 7

Incidents include carjacking, juvenile fight, stolen vehicle pursuit

t
State Patrol catches a pair of motorcycles going over 100 mph on I-5

See a video of their arrest. Agency uses air surveillance to pursue from Federal Way to Renton

Photos by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing
Official ribbon cutting for the Kent Valley Bezos Academy, which is still accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year.
Kent Valley Bezos Academy offers student-driven preschool experience

New school offers free enrollment to children of income-eligible families