Purchase of 26-mile easement authorized for interim trail to promote dual use

Options for both a public trail and a rail line will be preserved with unanimous approval last week by the Metropolitan King County Council of an agreement with the Port of Seattle that will bring the BNSF Eastside Rail Corridor into public ownership.

“When we began this journey, I saw the benefits of bringing this regional asset into public ownership,” said Council Chair Julia Patterson, sponsor of the legislation and chair of a study by the Puget Sound Regional Council that first studied the use of the corridor. “I look forward to the dual use of the corridor for a trail and high-capacity transit. It is important that we proceed with a regional planning process with the Port that is as inclusive as possible so that everyone can help determine the specifics of this regional asset.”

“The citizens of King County will become the proud owners of a transportation and recreational corridor connecting some of King County’s fastest growing cities,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “By working closely with Port over the past three years, we secured public ownership of the corridor without trading away valuable County assets or losing the potential for immediate rail use. I look forward to working with the public and the Port to determine the best use of this promising asset for the benefit of families and rail and bike commuters.”

“The County and Port have teamed up to realize the vision of a dual-use, publicly owned Eastside corridor,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson. “This acquisition will be treasured by many generations of King County residents who will use the trail and rail corridor that will eventually be established.”

Under an agreement that caps three years of public debate, the Port of Seattle will pay the below-market price of $107 million to BNSF Railway to acquire the 42-mile Eastside Rail Corridor, and King County will pay the Port $1.9 million for a 26-mile easement that runs from Renton to Woodinville and includes the segment known as the “Redmond Spur.” As agreed by the Port and the Council, the existing railroad tracks will remain in place while a public process is conducted to evaluate the best use for the corridor, including the location and size of a public trail to run alongside the rail line.

“As we plan for population increases, we need to look at new and innovative ways for people to commute, recreate and do errands,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, who represents Northeast King County. “For economic sustainability, we need to continue using this resource both for transportation and for freight traffic. It is exciting to see the bicycle, trail and transportation communities come together with a multimodal vision for this corridor.”

“We must have a responsible voice for those who live and work along this corridor,” said Councilmember Jane Hague, who represents District 6. “The Port and King County have a rare opportunity to earn public trust and to ensure uses that enable the region.”

“The Council’s action today helps bring an irreplaceable asset into public ownership and creates a valuable new trail corridor, while preserving the option for future rail service,” said Council vice chair Dow Constantine. “I look forward to a comprehensive, public planning process that gives all parties a voice in the outcome.”

“This is a historic day for the future of the Eastside,” said Council vice chair Reagan Dunn. “We had an opportunity to keep the corridor in public ownership and with final action by the Port we will have done it. At the same time, we were able to maintain our commitment to rails and trails.”

“It is a great achievement that the Port and King County government have been able to save the Eastside rail corridor and put it under public ownership and use it for generations to come for rail, hiking, jogging and biking use,” said Councilmember Larry Gossett.

The legislation approved last week calls for a multi-agency regional process to plan and recommend appropriate uses of the corridor, at the conclusion of which the County and the Port will make a joint decision on the size and location of the trail. Over the next two months the Council and Port will decide the timeframe, agency participation and resources for that public process, for adoption by Council ordinance by July 15.

Under this ordinance, the County will retain the right of first refusal for the purchase of parcels within the corridor if the Port ever decides to sell them. The County also retains an escape clause under which its $1.9 million would be returned if no agreement can be reached after five years on the size and location of the trail. The legislation notes King County’s appreciation of the Port’s efforts to bring the corridor into public ownership.

The agreement is the culmination of a process that began in 2003 when BNSF announced its intention to sell the corridor.

In partnership with the Port, King County acted to prevent the corridor from being broken up and sold for private development.

While the original proposal in 2005 called for the County to trade ownership of King County International Airport (Boeing Field) and the Fisher flour mill property in exchange for the corridor, the Council worked closely with the Port to partner on the new arrangement approved today by the Council.

Final approval of the acquisition is subject to action by the Port of Seattle Commission.

If approved, the purchase and sale agreement is set to be closed by the end of this year, after which the County and Port have 18 months to determine where the trail should go.

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH systemat http://mkcclegisearch.metrokc.gov/legistarweb and type in “2008-0226.”