This just in (well, sort of): Burien adopts Complete Streets!

As our Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) efforts continue around King County, we are excited to announce a recent success from the City of Burien – the first of the six CPPW communities to put Complete Streets into law! CPPW – funded by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and ultimately Sea-KC Public Health – has effectively brought together local advocacy organizations, cities, private consultants, and community members – to focus on achieving common policy goals, like Complete Streets.

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Here's an example of a Complete Street, that is designed to accommodate all roadway users. (Photo from Complete Streets photostream.)

On Oct. 3, the City of Burien, a CPPW community, adopted a Complete Streets ordinance—calling for inclusive transportation planning and projects.  From this point forward, transportation projects and plans in Burien will need to consider and accommodate all modes of transportation – bikes, pedestrians, transit, freight and automobiles. The adoption of this ordinance is a reflection of the dedication and commitment put forth by the City of Burien, key stakeholders and community members, and Sea-King County Public Health and the CDC.

It was less than a year ago that Cascade Bicycle Club conducted a Complete Streets training in Burien, and we’re happy to see the momentum that was carried forward by staff, community activists and the City Council to bring to fruition an adopted ordinance.  We look forward to seeing the transformation of Burien’s streets in the coming years, as a network of Complete Streets unfolds.

While Burien receives the spotlight for today, we haven’t forgotten the other CPPW communities, where Complete Streets ordinances are in the works – specifically Des Moines, Federal Way and Snoqualmie.  We anticipate a new batch of Complete Streets ordinances from these communities in the coming months.

Meanwhile, at the State level, HB 1071 (our first state-wide Complete Streets bill) was signed into law in May, creating a Complete Streets grant program within the state department of transportation.  The details of the funding behind this grant program are still being worked out, but in essence, it is designed to encourage local governments to adopt Complete Streets ordinances.  Under this program, jurisdictions with established Complete Streets ordinances will be eligible to apply for funding of Complete Streets projects.

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So far, an impressive 15 jurisdictions (see map) in Washington state have adopted Complete Streets policies, and those with ordinances will be eligible for funding under HB 1071. So, if your community’s not on the map – and you’re wondering how to receive funding for multimodal projects, encourage your City Council to adopt a Complete Streets ordinance!  Here’s a comprehensive Complete Streets Guide with all the information you need to get you started.

All in all, 2011 has been a great year for Complete Streets: a National Safe and Complete Streets Act was introduced and continues to gain sponsorship in both chambers of Congress; the Washington State Legislature adopted HB 1071; and one-by-one communities in our own backyard are adopting Complete Streets ordinances.  Stay tuned as we report more successes from our partner CPPW cities!