Explaining the necessity to support, fund our roads | GUEST OP

By Elizabeth Albertson
For the Kent Reporter

At the beginning of the 19th century when automobiles first began using the nation’s system of dirt and cobblestone roads, cities were tasked with improving these roads so they’d be passable by automobiles.

It wasn’t a surprise that when these same dirt roads were improved with concrete or asphalt there was a corresponding increase in the property values of the adjoining properties.

Arterial streets such as Highway 99 became a thoroughfare that attracted gas stations, motels and other high-density uses including apartments. These properties profited from the increased value brought by the road improvements, and they were assessed to help pay for the road improvements that brought them a special benefit.

This is the fundamental purpose of a road Local Improvement District (LID), and they are not a new concept.

In fact, everyone who drives in Kent drives on streets that were partially paid for by an LID. Since 1909, 200 LID’s have been formed to help pay for road construction projects. And, more than 25,000 property owners have specifically contributed to their costs.

One of the most recent LIDs formed was to help improve 116th Street from Kent Kangley to 256th Street. It was widened with new curbs, sidewalks, storm drains, underground power and new street lighting, making it a safer and more attractive area for residents and commuters. This improvement is right around the corner from the proposed LID for 256th Street.

The hundreds of school children and other pedestrians who walk on the side of the road between Kent Kangley and 116th Street deserve to be safe like their neighbors around the corner.

The out-of-area owners of five major apartment complexes with more than 1,100 units would have paid $1.335 million toward this improvement in front of their complexes. The average home or condominium owner would have paid $235 per year.

Kent has been recognized by a national expert in the efficient use of LIDs to fund transportation projects. That expert also noted it was because of the use of LIDs Kent was able to get grant dollars where other communities have failed.

I understand no driver enjoys paying for the roads they use, that’s exactly why road projects have to be funded in a variety of ways.

Besides a local improvement assessment, which is usually a smaller portion of the total cost, (in the case of 256th Street it would have been about 28 percent) the remainder is usually paid with gas taxes.

New business or housing developments also pay a small percentage through impact fees, spreading the cost to the local beneficiaries as well as the drivers just passing through.

This is how local governments have paid, and continue to pay for expensive, but needed, road improvements.

When a project includes a combination of funding sources, such as an LID, the public endeavor becomes more likely to receive grants to help pay for their construction. These grants are awarded on a competitive basis and they’re difficult to get.

And the end of the day, we need to remember these grants include state and federal taxes we’ve already paid that can be kept here at home. It is a win win.

The apartments, businesses and property owners profit by having higher values for their customers, tenants or occupants, and drivers benefit by having their state or federal tax dollars used for a safer, smoother commute.

Ultimately, our community as a whole benefits by having a safer, well-lit transportation and sidewalk system for school children, bus patrons and drivers.

So, when the funding partnership is not realized, we can’t complete the work. Essentially, we hand those state and federal dollars over to another community. I don’t believe that’s what anyone wants.

Reach Kent City Councilmember Elizabeth Albertson at 253-856-5712 or ealbertson@kentwa.gov.