Exhibit A
Exhibit A Port Commission Special Meeting of February 28, 2012 AOlympia Office LABOARD > 620 Boundary Street Southeast WASHING 0T N Olympia Washington 985011636 Phone: 360.943.8333 - Email: washarp@q.oom February 28, 2012 Honorable President and Commissioners Port of Seattle PO Box 1209 Seattle, Washington 98111 Dear President and Commissioners, An original intent, as expressed by then Port Commission President John Creighton was to have the corridor be, "home to dual uses rails and recreation." We at All Aboard Washington are not so much concerned with which public entity or enties own the corridor, but that it is: 1. Kept intact throughout its length; and, 2. Developed for both Rail and Trail purposes and uses throughout that same length, with no single use precluding the potential of other uses. All Aboard Washington and the Cascadia Center for Regional Economic Development have developed a concept we've dubbed the Eastside TRailway (sic) that fulfills the original intent Creighton expressed of rail and trail development together, and have attached several sketches of what a TRailway could look like through Kirkland with this letter. We see the Eastside Rail Line as a unique and irreplaceable resource and opportunity to create a world-class transportation, recreation and even utility corridor that could serve not only residents, commuters and recreational users, but tourists and travelers as well. Why couldn't people bike one way, and train back along the corridor even go by train all the way to Snohomish to enjoy the scenic rural Centennial Trail there? Why couldn't Eastside visitors and even residents enjoy attractions like Woodinville's wineries by train as they can in California's famous Napa Valley, and soon the neighboring Marin-Sonoma region as well? Or why couldn't Kirklanders eventually take trains to Vancouver BC, Portland, Oregon or even SeaTac Airport right from Kirkland, instead of having to drive or bus into or through Seattle? And what might happen to the tourism industry of Kirkland and the rest of the Eastside if visitors could arrive in comfort and style by train? All this could be possible if the rails are kept. But all these possibilities could well be lost if they are removed. As resolutions from Woodinville, letters of support from major employers like Google, and even a Statement of Principles for Dual Use signed among King County, the Port of Seattle Kirkland Hearing 2 February 28, 2012 Cascade Bicycle Club, Cascade Land Conservancy and Transportaon Choices, have all stated along with All Aboard Washington and the Cascadia Center, rails and trails should go together. But All Aboard Washington and the Cascadia Center recognize and caution that of the 4,400 miles of railroads that have been railbanked and converted to what is called 'interim' trail use in the United States, only some three percent (3%) have been returned to even freight rail use, according to an assessment by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. While SR522 through Kenmore and Bothell is increasingly congested, no one is even suggesting that the Burke-Gilman Trail become a rail line again, even though a single line of track with passing sidings could easily carry an additional 10,000 people or more per day. With the Cascadia Center's assessment that this Eastside Rail Corridor is 100 feet or more wide in many places, why can't we get going and develop trail secons now where tracks do not have to be taken up? The photo attached of construction of the Dartmoor Cycleway in the UK shows that rail lines, even primitive ones, can be useful in construcng trails, allowing large quantities of both equipment and materials to be brought in potentially faster and cheaper with less disruption to surrounding neighborhoods than bringing it all in by road might. We can have a world-class and peoplepleasing rail and trail corridor right on the Eastside, with station and u'ailhead facilities shared, reducing and sharing development and operating costs between both train and trail uses. All Aboard Washington and the Cascadia Center stand ready to work with the Port of Seattle, the City of Kirkland, and other interested stakeholders and citizens to make it happen. Sincerely, Mr Loren A Herrigstad President, All Aboard Washington Attachments: Eastside TRailway Totem Lake Station Cascadia Center Eastside TRailway Kirkland Station Cascadia Center Eastside TRailway South Kirkland Transportation Hub Concept Cascadia Center UK Dartmoor Cycleway Construction from Rail Dartmoor Railway via All Aboard Washington City of Woodinville Resolution 384 Google Letter of Support to City of Kirkland Statement of Principles for Dual Use use! HHDFFwZ mmHZmo<_Q-H>OUW~D 25.35 2.2 o ku :h .9. F a: .av; \g d E . M \ . J uz . .. x . . ' .22 a , =3 .3: r. 10 . ; .39 all ..'\H' 4E? . . 2.. . .. 1 V ' \ mMmu \- ...x\|U._ H I. \l. R 1P; .L, xxw;W.w1 '.. ,. his. wan"Ex zah M. , .. ., :55 5:55.52. 4.5. .m niacin-3 35 3.5 583.... \d ZOHH H>00mmn 4 88 0 4 IIIIII in: 1mg 328 EA ChmEm Q 325m ZOHHHw Ea. 032:2 m2 was; iammozoo as .2 .805 SERGE Ea F58 25:: QZDOm 3-N mix... @2283 303$. mince=80 .8 =8... HmODm - - -msionm a to transit. transformation local HUB canopy) to of Center a side z TRANSPORTATION south Telcwork corridor 5< (on and Ride panels Vandals solar a E Parking Confemncing Rcmil trail E > .J Zipcur Adjustable Video Typical & a: S e - - - - r; Park B u: D and 0 Z O 8 Tmin U \ (DMU) cc Stalls rail Kirkland Unit Service Serv Coach Vehicle Multiple eastside Molar Electric Diesel "Connector" morlClieck-ln Expms 2-cnr AHybrid Swiss Microso Sen-Ta: m. Adv Plug-in South BNSF ..... the of the vision linking er Cascadia's (' hub, In. MbyCau-ull transportation DIM WWW.CASCADIAPROJ'ECT.ORG mm C rpc of noun-.31} rendering C a is This multimodal RESOLUTION NO. 384 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF WOODINVILLE, WASHINGTON SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING DUAL RAILS AND, TRAILS USE OF THE EASTSIDE RAIL CORRIDOR AND SPUR. WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle has purchased the 42-mile Eastside Rail Corridor, previously owned by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway; and WHEREAS, the highest and best public use of the corridor is dual "rails and trails", which could include commuter rail, excursion rail, and freight rail; as well as recreational trails for pedestrians and bicyclists; and WHEREAS, dual use of this rail corridor, including the main line from Snohomish in the north, through Woodinville, to Renton in the south; as well as the spur between Woodinville and Redmond; is in the best long term interests of the region to ensure the quality of life for generations of citizens; and WHEREAS, a number of independent studies have shown the such dual use of the corridor is nancially and practically feasible in the very near terrn;.and WHEREAS, communities along the Corridor should support dual use of the main iine and the spur as a practical and cost-effective way to address our regional transportation and recreational needs. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WOODINVILLE, WASHINGTON, DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Support of Dual Rails and Trails Use of the Eastside Rail Corridor. The Woodinville City Council supports dual rails and trails use of the entire Eastside Rail Com'dor, including the main line between Snohomish and Renton; and the spur between Woodinville and Redmond. Section 2. Su art of Dual Rails and Trails Use b All Communities. The Woodinville City Council encourages all agencies and communities along the Eastside Rail Corridor, including the mainline and the spur, to actively support dual rails and trails use of the corridor. RESOLVED this 6*" day of April 2010. / / Charles E. Price, MAYOR ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED: sZA/ Je Ifer L. K hn City Clerk/CMC (30+ 9316l LETTER OF SUPPORT Mr. Bob Ferguson, Chair Metropolitan King County Council 516 Third Ave. Room 1200 Seattle, WA 98104 Dear Mr. Ferguson; We at Google Kirkland are proud to be a new resident of Kirkland, King County and the Sound Transit District. We have been steadily hiring in and populating our new Kirkland facilities; and look forward to being a productive corporate citizen. We believe firmly in sustainable growth and environmentally sound facility development. We have corporately encouraged the use of transit, bicycling and the use of hybrid and alternatively fueled and propelled vehicles. To that end we applaud the region's public purchase of the Burlington Northern rail corridor here on the east side of King County. The corridor and rail right-of-way form the west property line to our Kirkland campus. An affordable commuter rail & trail conversion of the existing tracks provides attractive eco- friendly alternatives to individual cars on l-405. We want to voice our support behind the rail & trail development option. Sincerely, W W Chee Chew chee@google.com Engineering Director Google, Kirkland CO i. ")3 6 LETTER OF SUPPORT Ms. Joni Earl, Chief Executive Ofcer Sound Transit 401 South Jackson Street Seattle, WA 98104 Dear Ms. Earl; We at Google Kirkland are proud to be a new resident of Kirkland, King County and the Sound Transit District. We have been steadily hiring in and populating our new Kirkland facilities; and look fonivard to being a productive corporate citizen. We believe rmly in sustainable growth and environmentally sound facility development. We have corporately encouraged the use of transit, bicycling and the use of hybrid and alternatively fueled and propelled vehicles. To that end we applaud the region's public purchase of the Burlington Northern rail corridor here on the east side of King County. The corridor and rail right-ofway form the west property line to our Kirkland campus. An affordable commuter rail & trail conversion of the existing tracks provides attractive eco- friendly alternatives to individual cars on l-405. We want to voice our support behind the rail & trail development option. Sincerely. w/w Chee Chew chee@google.com Engineering Director Google, Kirkland C04. )8 6 LETTER OF SUPPORT Mr. Dow Constantine, County Executive Metropolitan King County King County Chinook Building 401 5th Ave. Suite 800 Seattle, WA 98104 Dear Mr. Constantine; We at Google Kirkland are proud to be a new resident of Kirkland, King County and the Sound Transit District. We have been steadily hiring in and populating our new Kirkland facilities; and look fonlvard to being a productive corporate citizen. We believe firmly in sustainable growth and environmentally sound facility development. We have corporately encouraged the use of transit, bicycling and the use of hybrid and alternatively fueled and propelled vehicles. To that end we applaud the region's public purchase of the Burlington Northern rail corridor here on the east side of King County. The corridor and rail right-of-way form the west property line to our Kirkland campus. An affordable commuter rail & trail conversion of the existing tracks provides attractive eco- friendly alternatives to individual cars on l-405. We want to voice our support behind the rail & trail development option. Sincerely, ww Chee Chew chee@google.com Engineering Director Google, Kirkland Cot. gilt); LETTER OF SUPPORT Ms. Joan McBride, Mayor City of Kirkland 123 5th Avenue Kirkland. WA 98033 Dear Ms. McBride; We at Google Kirkland are proud to be a new resident of Kirkland. King County and the Sound Transit District. We have been steadily hiring in and populating our new Kirkland facilities; and look forward to being a productive corporate citizen. We believe firmly in sustainable growth and environmentally sound facility development. We have corporately encouraged the use of transit, bicycling and the use of hybrid and alternatively fueled and propelled vehicles. To that end we applaud the region's public purchase of the Burlington Northern rail corridor here on the east side of King County. The corridor and rail right-of-way form the west property line to our Kirkland campus. An affordable commuter rail & trail conversion of the existing tracks provides attractive eco- friendly alternatives to individual cars on l-405. We want to voice our support behind the rail & trail development option. Sincerely, ag/ow Chee Chew chee@google.com Engineering Director Google, Kirkland C0. 7818 LETTER OF SUPPORT Mr. Aaron Reardon, Sound Transit Board Chairman c/o Snohomish County 3000 Rockefeller Ave. MS 407 Everett, WA 98201 Dear Mr. Reardon; We at Google Kirkland are proud to be a new resident of Kirkland, King County and the Sound Transit District. We have been steadily hiring in and populating our new Kirkland facilities; and look fonlvard to being a productive corporate citizen. We believe rmly in sustainable growth and environmentally sound facility development. We have corporately encouraged the use of transit, bicycling and the use of hybrid and alternatively fueled and propelled vehicles. To that end we applaud the region's public purchase of the Burlington Northern rail corridor here on the east side of King County. The corridor and rail right-of-way form the west property line to our Kirkland campus. An affordable commuter rail & trail conversion of the existing tracks provides attractive eco- friendly alternatives to individual cars on l405. We want to voice our support behind the rail & trail development option. Sincerely, WW Chee Chew chee@google.com Engineering Director Google, Kirkland Connections for Our Future Statement of Principles for Dual Use WHEREAS, we agree that this priceless corridor must be preserved in public ownership; and WHEREAS, we agree that the future of this corridor is as a dual use transportation corridor that should ultimately be rails with trails; and WHEREAS, we agree that any trail use, whether paved, gravel or other surface, before rail use is interim; and WHEREAS, we agree that any trail before rail must be publicly marked as interim including with signage that clearly designates the corridor for future rail use; and WHEREAS, we agree that when sufficient resources are found to fund modern rail use in the corridor, the trail shall be rerouted within the ROW to accommodate rail use; and WHEREAS, we agree that while the Wilburton Tunnel must be removed to accommodate the widening of Interstate 405, a replacement structure sufficient to support rail with trail use across Interstate 405 should be restored; and WHEREAS, we agree to advocate for funds for rail use at the local, regional, state and federal levels to accomplish these principles of dual use; and WHEREAS, we agree to reflect these principles of dual use in our future actions including legislative agendas, legal documents, MOUs and budgetary requests; NOW, THEREFORE, we the undersigned do hereby commit to this statement of principles on this the 32 day of June. 2007. ________"4% scade Bicycle Club ' e Devernoy Paulo Nunes- eno, Board member scade Land onservancy Transportation Choices Coalition ABOARD WASHINGTON ALL wwwallaboardwashinatonora UK) (Dartmoor, trails. Construction building in useful Cycleway be even Dartmoor can Rails
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