Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) announced the passage of several Community Project Funding (CPF) requests that will deliver federal investments to support transportation connections, public facilities, emergency services, workforce training, and community infrastructure across South King County.
“These projects reflect the priorities of our cities, colleges, and first responders, and while not every request was funded at the full level, these investments represent meaningful progress for communities that have long been under-resourced,” said Rep. Smith. “I will continue working with our local partners to build on this funding and ensure these projects move forward.”
Transportation and Community Infrastructure
- City of Bellevue — Bellevue Grand Connection: I-405 Crossing (Downtown to Eastrail)
Federal Funding Secured: $2,000,000
The City of Bellevue is requesting $3 million to support final design and community engagement for the Grand Connection I-405 Crossing project—part of a broader pedestrian-oriented corridor stretching from Lake Washington through downtown Bellevue to the regional Eastrail in Wilburton. The funding will support outreach, engineering, and environmental review work during the 30% to 100% design phase of this transformative crossing, which will connect people walking, biking, and rolling across I-405 to jobs, transit, and housing. - City of SeaTac — Airport Station Area Pedestrian Improvements Project
Federal Funding Secured: $250,000
The City of SeaTac is requesting $4 million from the DOT’s Transit Infrastructure Project account to fund construction of the Airport Station Area Pedestrian Improvements Project. This 1.3-mile multimodal project in the City Center Urban Village will improve access to transit, schools, and the airport by enhancing pedestrian safety, lighting, and mobility infrastructure—particularly for low-income and underserved residents living in dense multifamily housing. - City of Des Moines — Midway Park Construction
Federal Funding Secured: $850,000
The City of Des Moines is redesigning and expanding Midway Park, located in the Pacific Ridge neighborhood. It is not easily accessible, has outdated lighting, temporary porta-potties, and often has many abandoned cars parked along its frontage. The design improvements to the existing Midway Park, including expanded park area, will provide increased opportunities for park visibility and physical activity, with durable, functional yet aesthetically pleasing amenities that promote for a healthier lifestyle and family gatherings. The proposed design will improve usability as well as safety throughout the park and create more cohesive and inclusive opportunities for recreational activities within a currently underserved community area.
Public Facilities and Community Spaces
- City of Tukwila — Tukwila Community Center HVAC Replacement
Federal Funding Secured: $850,000
The Tukwila Community Center (TCC) is a recreation center serving intergenerational program participants from across all of Tukwila and King County that has an aging heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system that is at the end of and past its useful life. Original to the building from 1997, the HVAC system needs to be replaced with a new, more energy efficient system before the old system fails completely. The center is critical for community recreational activities and also as a resource during natural disasters and extreme weather events. It has been used as both a healing and cooling center. - Highline College — Soccer and Sports Complex Rehabilitation
Federal Funding Secured: $1,200,000
Highline College is renovating and turfing their soccer fields in order to improve community access and fill a critical gap in recreational infrastructure in South King County. The new complex will directly address the long-standing lack of adequate recreational facilities highlighted by the community, including youth who often express their disadvantage compared to peers in more affluent areas like Seattle. - City of Seattle & Seattle Public Library — Columbia Library Seismic Retrofit
Federal Funding Secured: $1,145,444 The Columbia Branch Library is one of Seattle’s three unreinforced Carnegie libraries. It is at high risk for damage and loss of life in the event of an earthquake. The Seattle Public Library is working on a comprehensive structural upgrade to significantly increase the safety of the building during an earthquake.
Workforce Development and Clean Energy Training
- Green River College — Electric Vehicle Automotive Center
Federal Funding Secured: $250,000
Green River College offers a National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)-certified Automotive Technology department. With the goal of creating a regional hub for EV maintenance technician training, Green River College is renovating and equipping an instructional facility that can accommodate an EV-focused curriculum in development. As the demand for EVs grows, the workforce trained to repair them is lacking.
Public Safety and Emergency Response
- South King Fire — Firefighter PPE CO₂ Decontamination Unit
Federal Funding Secured: $850,000
The South King Fire Training Consortium is acquiring a machine that uses liquid CO2 to decontaminate clothing and equipment that comes in contact with the many carcinogenic materials (e.g. PFAS and asbestos) that firefighters are exposed to when responding to fires and other emergencies. - City of Federal Way — Day Center Relocation Project
Federal Funding Secured: $250,000
The City of Federal Way is requesting $2.5 million from the HUD Economic Development Initiative (EDI) account to support the relocation and renovation of the Federal Way Day Center, which serves individuals experiencing homelessness. The new site—a repurposed pool building at the Red Lion Hotel property owned by King County—would co-locate the Day Center with an emergency shelter, improving service delivery, operational efficiency, and community support. The facility will offer hygiene services, case management, and other essential supports.
Community Project Funding allows Congress to support locally driven projects with clear public benefits. Rep. Smith will continue advocating for additional federal resources to help these projects reach completion and meet the needs of South King County residents.
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