On July 26 King County and the city of Maple Valley entered a new chapter for Summit Place, also known as the Donut Hole. On that date King County received two submittals to its request for qualifications from two different developers for developing this unique 156 acre property.

King County representatives will review the qualifications packet, hold interviews with the submitting firms and make a recommendation as to who will have the chance to develop that site, all of this taking place by the end of August. This new chapter can serve as an exciting opportunity for the city.

YarrowBay, the development company with a long-standing purchase and sale agreement with King County, chose to terminate its deal with the county in February. Shortly after, the Maple Valley City Council, during its annual policy retreat, looked at this as a window of opportunity to work with a new county executive on promoting a concept of developing Summit Place for living wage jobs.

Our city manager, David Johnston, and I have met with county officials to promote this new concept. The county, to its credit, did present language in the RFQ that provided opportunity for a developer to submit a proposal that could include more commercial, living-wage and job creating development—a vision that is more flexible than the agreed-to “joint plan.” As I understand it, one developer, Powell development, submitted a development concept that supports the newer City Council vision of this property. This proposal makes sense on several fronts.

First, last fall, the city undertook a survey and asked a wide variety of questions of its citizens. One of the questions posed to our citizens asked whether or not they would trade a commute to work for a good-paying job locally. Approximately 84 percent of the respondents said that they would. The survey also showed that the average one-way commute was around 30 miles.

Second, this fact supports the regional environmental goals reducing traffic congestion and auto-producing pollution. Having jobs closer to home also reduces commute times. The City Council’s support of this proposal shows that we listen to our residents.

Furthermore, the current concept, as outlined in the joint plan, allows for 1,100 to 1,700 housing units. Southeast King County has plenty of new housing in the pipeline. Between Black Diamond, Covington, Maple Valley and unincorporated King County approximately 8,000 to 10,000 new homes are planned over the next 20 years. The housing supply in our area is substantial. We need jobs, not houses.

Finally, Powell Development has a strong track record of commercial development in the Puget Sound region.

The firm also has acquired a good understanding of the Maple Valley market and has developed an effective working relationship with the city due to its Maple Valley Town Square development, also known as the Fred Meyer/TRM project, here in town.

The Powell team, as presented in its RFQ, includes highly reputable local firms with established networks and access to capital.

The idea of creating an employment center, focusing on living wage jobs in a cutting edge industry, is exciting and is needed.

The RFQ review process is currently underway. The City Council expects the King County review team to do an exceptional job in reviewing the two proposals and to choose the firm that represents the vision and needs of the Maple Valley community.

The decisions made over the next month or so could lead to a development that serves as a shining example of what an effective intergovernmental partnership can produce.

Something truly special can be built on the Summit Place site.

Noel T. Gerken

Mayor

Maple Valley