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The original Sound Move plan, as presented to voters would collect about $100 million from Renton taxpayers and spend about $100 million in Renton on HOV direct access ramps and express bus service on and off I-405. The spending didn’t happen.
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In recent blog entries I’ve discussed the high cost of Sound Transit service to Renton residents, around $1000 per year per family. Renton taxpayers have paid about a BILLION dollars so far for just five stops by two bus lines in our city and about $20 million in capital improvements to Rainier Ave. Other cities have received multiple Link light rail stations, Sounder heavy rail service, parking garages, and even expensive artwork paid for in part with Renton’s money. This topic is important now because Sound Transit is breaking commitments to Renton again, and we need to act to fix it. Over the next week I intend to go deep into the history of how we got to this point.
It’s a 26 year history that takes us from the original Sound Move, to Sound Transit 2, to Sound Transit 3, and all the discussions and promises that went with each. It may get a little complex as there were countless discussions over many decades, and it is important that Renton residents understand as much as possible about the background and details.
For my introduction into the topic, I’ll ask you to read my first post on this topic in 2007, where as a 14-year council member at the time I recounted the work Renton had done to maintain our promised fair-share of Sound Transit funding, and the ways that had been taken from us. In entries later this week I’ll pick up the story from 2007 until the present, using letters and exhibits that many people have never seen before.
Here is my 2007 post. Please read it, remembering that when I speak of now, I’m talking about 2007.
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