Executive Constantine and King County Metro announce fare-free New Year’s Eve in partnership with other transit agencies
King County Metro will join regional transit agencies to provide free rides to help people safely celebrate New Year’s Eve.

Upstream salmon habitat restored by King County this year, will soon begin a decade of projects to open 250 more miles of streams and rivers
Delivering on a direction by Executive Dow Constantine to restore access to the best habitat for the most fish as quickly as possible, this year King County completed seven projects and will soon begin a decade of new projects that will restore access to at least half of the habitat currently blocked by county-owned roads and trails.

King County and Chief Seattle Club announce first residents moving into new Health Through Housing building in Pioneer Square
King County Executive Dow Constantine and Chief Seattle Club announced the opening of Salmonberry Lofts, a new Health Through Housing building in partnership with the City of Seattle. The first residents to the 76-unit building will move in this month.

Executive Constantine and Sheriff Cole-Tindall announce recruitment for newly established King County Sheriff’s Office Community Advisory Board
Executive Constantine and Sheriff Cole-Tindall announced the launch of a new Community Advisory Board for the King County Sheriff’s Office that will support and advise on creating a just, dynamic, and responsive public safety system. Recruitment for the board is now open.

King County celebrates refugee resettlement efforts helping nearly 800 refugees in the region
In collaboration with the state, the City of Redmond, and community partners, King County celebrates the year-long program providing a place for people to stay during the refugee resettlement process.

Terry White retiring from King County Metro after more than 35 years, Executive Constantine nominating Michelle Allison to serve as next Metro General Manager
King County Executive Dow Constantine will nominate Michelle Allison to be the next General Manager of King County Metro. General Manager Terry White will retire at the end of this year after more than 35 years at Metro.

First community-vote funded investment will expand Cemetery Pond Open Space area in East Renton
The Cemetery Pond Open Space area in East Renton has received $50,000 as part of King County’s participatory budgeting process. This is the first of dozens of projects that voters chose earlier this year as part of the budgeting and will be used for acquiring critical green infrastructure.

Executive Constantine appoints experienced business leader as Chief Information Officer
Executive Constantine appointed Megan Clarke as King County’s new Chief Information Officer following a nationwide recruitment search. Clarke is set to step into the role in January 2023.

King County’s state-of-the-art station in Georgetown will be ready to protect the Duwamish River and Puget Sound from stormwater pollution this rainy season
King County’s new $275 million Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station will be ready for crews to operate this rainy season enabling better protection of the Duwamish River and Puget Sound from stormwater pollution during severe rainstorms, which are occurring more frequently due to climate change.

Fire-damaged land poses new threat from winter weather, Executive Constantine urges residents to be prepared
After a lengthy fire season this fall, looming winter weather could create flash floods and debris flows on scarred land and residents should be ready for any potential hazards.

Executive Constantine on adoption of $15.8 billion biennial King County budget: A road map to our values
King County Executive Dow Constantine released the following statement after the King County Council unanimously passed a $15.8 billion biennial budget that adopts major investments in his priority areas focused on battling the climate crisis and restoring our environment, ensuring every person has a home, ensuring a community where every person is safe, and uprooting racism and racial disparities.

King County and King County Police Officer’s Guild negotiate successful collective bargaining agreement, including full civilian oversight and use of body-worn cameras set to begin next year
King County and the King County Police Officer’s Guild have negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement including general wage increases, implementation of the authority of the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight, and future use of body-worn cameras.

People experiencing homelessness are helping King County restore Green River habitat, learn job skills
King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks’ second Jobs and Housing Program crew is helping maintain completed restoration projects and lay the foundation for future restoration successes.

Jails and youth detention end some COVID-19 disruptions, continuing commitment to improving conditions
A series of urgent actions to improve the conditions of people in custody and staff is taking place at King County’s adult jails, youth detention facility, and community corrections programs. The Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention (DAJD) is seeking to lessen disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, while also supporting frontline staff during a period of historically high vacancies.

Mayor Harrell and Executive Constantine announce new agreement on City Hall Park
Under new agreement, the City of Seattle will retain ownership of City Hall Park, and the previously agreed to land swap agreement would be cancelled.

King County will preserve existing SODO shelter, redirect Services Hub expansion funds toward other investments to house or shelter people faster
King County will maintain the current lease for the Salvation Army-operated shelter in SODO, preserving 24/7 enhanced shelter for 270 residents, while redirecting resources that were going to expand services at the site to invest in other projects across the region that can bring unsheltered people inside faster. King County will use remaining parts of the SODO property for other county purposes.

Executive Constantine launches ‘It’s a Great Day to Ride Metro’ rewards program
King County Executive Dow Constantine launched a rewards program for residents and visitors as part of the “It’s a great day to ride Metro” transit ridership campaign. New riders can earn points and then redeem them for discounts on future trips, and bike- and scooter-share services.

Executive Constantine announces launch of new Best Starts Child Care Subsidy – applications open now
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the Best Starts Child Care Subsidy program is accepting applications – a $160 million investment over the next six years that has the potential to reach 2,000 families annually across King County.

‘The clearest call ever for immediate climate action’: Executive Constantine announces new actions to rapidly reduce countywide greenhouse gas emissions
Executive Constantine’s proposed budget includes actions to decrease countywide greenhouse gas emissions at a faster pace as an analysis of the Puget Sound region shows an urgent need for collective action to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Outreach Team Selected to Support Local Small Businesses
In partnership with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and the Port of Seattle, King County announced a set of organizations that will serve local small businesses through the Community Business Connector program to ensure equitable economic recovery.