[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6304748,"mediaKeyId","2454486-a880fb0160471f75dab340b52910f59d","parentId",2454486,"title","Auburn projects housing, jobs and rapid-ride transit funding as part of growth plan","audioSeconds",198,"startMs",2974180,"endMs",3173010,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2454486-a880fb0160471f75dab340b52910f59d&start=2974&end=3173","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2454486-a880fb0160471f75dab340b52910f59d/thumbnail_2974180.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6304748/Auburn/King-County/Washington/Auburn-projects-housing-jobs-and-rapid-ride-transit-funding-as-part-of-growth-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304748-18787cf4bc9ad74158a89df4d54cd0b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432687&Signature=IXBesBn4SpWP2748h~gSGYXDuLzyQZrS8hq6SVNiCB19E0ykytoxNy4j~vT0I~OfBAYHpV0TdfXG7ByhkIz4ttW2viAvsLX60Uq2JFkZIFumjq6nPIROYU67BrI5CY0nsz5maspNUNNY4woLsvMF43~yVZ~fANaWerHwF7idcMdQ7AXwoe69zNd-ifpeb3HpM1bg4p5L7DWBqQ7nGzRaqTrBTEMzujUxuMHPNjo-FQ1GCguW1JaQB~fbUhLzqpUosOVeNBa0E-NRvCSjW5ySroeefBpd1QR6yhH4fvGHlZCmvpcLZM9Ye1i9yLEKlGCZwWeIYR-smR4NB5-bPR-1Xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Auburn City, WA","date","2025-02-28T20:18:08Z","article","Mayor Nancy Backus said Auburn is planning for significant residential and economic growth and highlighted recent funding wins and large proposed developments.

Backus said the city’s 2024 comprehensive plan plans for roughly 12,000 new residential units and 19,500 new jobs by the long-range planning horizon, and she described middle housing and accessory dwelling-unit policies intended to increase housing choices across the city.

She also announced nearly $80,000,000 in federal funding for the rapid-ride I-line expansion (an upgrade to Metro Route 160), which the mayor said will provide more frequent service, real-time arrival information and buses every 10 minutes at peak hours for about 14,000 daily riders.

The mayor described developments in planning stages: Copper Creek on Lee Hill could bring over 100 new homes; a large gravel-pit redevelopment near Game Farm Wilderness Park was described as a proposal that could add anywhere from 2,000 to 8,000 residential units plus commercial space and infrastructure; and an international building-products firm plans a 50-acre industrial site at the Auburn 18 Business Park (the former GSA site) expected to create multi-shift employment.

Construction for the industrial development was described as scheduled to start in the second quarter of the year mentioned in the address. The mayor emphasized regional coordination and incentives to attract businesses and noted the city rebranded its economic development division and launched a new website to attract prospective businesses.

The address did not include final approvals, detailed environmental reviews or the exact financing packages for the large proposed housing sites.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","State of the City 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Nancy Backus described Auburn's 2024 comprehensive plan adopted to plan for 12,000 new residential units and 19,500 jobs, cited nearly $80 million in federal funding for a rapid-ride expansion and previewed major residential and industrial development sites.","taxTitle","Auburn, King County, Washington","taxId",2616,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6304753,"Auburn outlines street projects, school-zone cameras and multi-year utility investment plans",369,1322750,1691815,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2454486-a880fb0160471f75dab340b52910f59d&start=1322&end=1691","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2454486-a880fb0160471f75dab340b52910f59d/thumbnail_1322750.jpg","/articles/6304753/Auburn/King-County/Washington/Auburn-outlines-street-projects-school-zone-cameras-and-multi-year-utility-investment-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304753-7584643f8d059e5d2ca6a7e91ddfe925/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432687&Signature=E5QnYrLuCkBD3F~yDxpl9SXrpVBAL~aBxVQTRRBrmznSyvDk5pHqCb5UHRO2HuqnLeNbknPZ8NDql5Lx9ePQzcGmLKvfYNd2YfUTvPp2yrSqIVLFBdIX4Qf1at9Y1PZa7P08MMkGGi3cBPYs0GTscuPPryzTpZ4BErRCTpwPnx~vx6vOnGnR~t~K43YCYPIo5F4iGgf3u4DGeKGDJEi56b9yjGF--3lLhoaaig2XneXZO8PCTkwtROGpd4Dmy-E3JDfuDVguIHpt7rh4m2ykFPFpbN8w65DGr3vS93r9om25ApswbqDzSgaDKmJh1hToTg4NhRDhd120kIiHVMqkfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Nancy Backus reviewed infrastructure work completed in 2024 and outlined planned transportation and utility investments intended to keep Auburn’s growth supported.

Backus said the city finished a downtown A Street loop linking Division and A Street SE and opened the Coal Creek pedestrian bridge (also called Game Farm Park Bridge), which replaced an aging water pipe and now connects two parks.

The mayor recapped the city’s photo-enforcement program launched in 2023: the first month yielded nearly 8,000 warnings and over 37,000 citations, and she said noncompliance fell sharply thereafter. Backus said the program was designed to be self-funded and stated the city is looking to expand speed-camera enforcement to three arterial locations.

On long-range utilities, Backus presented multi-decade plans and dollar figures: she said the water plan outlines $214,000,000 in investments over 20 years; the sewer plan allocates $59,000,000; and the storm drainage plan includes $39,500,000 for drainage improvements and water-quality work.

The mayor also mentioned the city’s transportation system plan update covering a 20-year horizon and noted the plan’s intent to integrate streets, transit, active transportation and freight movement to accommodate projected growth.

Specific project schedules and funding sources beyond the plan totals and the earlier-noted self-funded speed-camera rule were not fully itemized in the address.","The mayor reviewed completed and planned transportation projects, cited results from school-zone speed cameras and presented multi-decade utility investment plans including $214 million for water over 20 years.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6304759,"Downtown Auburn redevelopment to include new arts campus and rebuilt Auburn Avenue Theatre",1103,2894684,3997760,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2454486-a880fb0160471f75dab340b52910f59d&start=2894&end=3997","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2454486-a880fb0160471f75dab340b52910f59d/thumbnail_2894684.jpg","/articles/6304759/Auburn/King-County/Washington/Downtown-Auburn-redevelopment-to-include-new-arts-campus-and-rebuilt-Auburn-Avenue-Theatre","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304759-239791e318d2bd0e9e6972dc18d64cfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432687&Signature=cId48kBDNcBhpOPPiWvUU7SqgPJt7bUa6LZn~vNHrebGJB48NtKXD0Tq66dkDvzjWdzfZ4d~YwLj9WzYSFNwx0cMIqFMyxPU-eLtbqUSZ-tswEuvLSnHCfLyEP-n6hcEod1QlMdJZK~2TvdHtxr4GvwldPkmY-Do3d3nVRhSUh0e57NRbCIQeMj3cntdpj45tmnR6Gj4HaogxLCAAjko9bHiHGOfl7ip8oSmgmduUSKOK9hDYUsdlr7556q31WZ4grPhxkqwmBAgLmzzzu~JLXsuaHF8s94p6oXaypiyy1c6yzk-QS6DXO0kEizIm4HixnTmpeQL1fqGEzJ54MiBBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Nancy Backus said downtown Auburn will host a new arts campus, a rebuilt Auburn Avenue Theatre and public-space improvements intended to spur revitalization and walkability.

“By this time in 2028 and hopefully sooner, you should see a new state of the art theater in downtown,” Mayor Nancy Backus said, referring to plans to replace the former Auburn Avenue Theatre and to develop a connected arts district around the Postmark Center for the Arts.

Backus described the B Street Plaza improvements — lighting, seating and pedestrian enhancements — and said the city purchased a building (the Hills of Comics property) to be demolished and replaced with a downtown park that will connect to the arts facilities. Renderings shown at the address placed the Postmark Center, the new theater and Divine Court in a contiguous plaza design.

Speakers on stage and in recorded pieces emphasized the cultural value of the arts campus and the economic and community benefits of bringing a purpose-built performance space back to downtown. City staff and community members noted the longtime use of the old theater for local productions and performers and said the new venue will include amenities the old movie-theater-turned-performing-space lacked.

The mayor said walls and the ceiling of the old theater were demolished in late 2024 and that city leaders and arts advocates are working on design and funding for the replacement. The address did not provide a firm project timeline or a final construction budget.","Mayor Nancy Backus outlined downtown projects: a new arts and theater complex anchored by the Postmark Center for the Arts, B Street Plaza enhancements, demolition of the old Auburn Avenue Theatre site and plans for a new state-of-the-art theater.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6304763,"Auburn expands one-stop resource center and community court as part of homelessness strategy",103,4376040,4479685,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2454486-a880fb0160471f75dab340b52910f59d&start=4376&end=4479","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2454486-a880fb0160471f75dab340b52910f59d/thumbnail_4376040.jpg","/articles/6304763/Auburn/King-County/Washington/Auburn-expands-one-stop-resource-center-and-community-court-as-part-of-homelessness-strategy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304763-aa41ed76105addf29b74df0d7f8cac6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432687&Signature=eH8eI00~ggwxuJ5hRRexIL12L7JUxN9Hd76Pl9sGR3Lyn7pdCUFkNm95~gYyUJhX3XaoYjz2Yv64s2Kdbwh3JjOJdjAoqQHPqdoZuNiMuiabhOTT6hBmLVKNWRIY61SCXoXHyRNBsbgNbK7qt8tKqC539rAM5t0-TAe73Tk9cMrlVc0M28ih0af16WrkTQ0vscRgLeum3oZCtvWbwsv2RnvLoVPA5eDX0-P3i70jfnK8vyqWYSezufUcORRvUCWe4okVJOQjbiVxNj4vd1cesiTs7H3E~LExeDx-O8WpoKgV2eP1htIaKMMduGn1XeZCvi0fKFg47EVkhxvKTbhidg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Nancy Backus described expanded human-services operations in Auburn that pair outreach, shelter and court services under one roof.

“Last year, our team contacted 472 people, and we housed 205 people,” Mayor Nancy Backus said, describing the city’s human services and housing work as a one-stop approach to connect people to treatment and stable housing.

The city purchased the strip mall at 2814 Auburn Way North, where the Auburn Resource Center, shelter and community court space will be consolidated. Mayor Backus said construction is underway to open the floor plans and integrate wrap-around services, and that new signage and a rebrand are planned.

Kent Hay, identified in the address as the city’s human services director, and Debbie Christian, who runs the Auburn Food Bank and operates the Ray of Hope Day Center and Sundown Overnight Shelter, appeared in remarks and video describing coordinated services. In the address and accompanying pieces, staff said the consolidated model allows providers to collaborate directly on treatment referrals, housing applications and other client needs.

The mayor highlighted the city’s partnership with the South Correctional Entity (SCORE) and King County District Court to expand community-court in-custody hearings so people can receive treatment and addiction services while incarcerated. Backus said the program and outreach work aim to keep people housed and provide sustained support instead of short-term placements.

The address included a voicemail from Aaron Baker, a resident who said he had nearly two years in recovery and had become a certified peer counselor and volunteer at the resource center. “Giving back to my community has been a pleasure,” Baker said in the message.

Mayor Backus emphasized the city does not claim it can end homelessness but said Auburn’s model focuses on managing the problem through sustained services. The address did not include a full budget for the expanded resource center or a timeline for when the reconfigured facility will open to clients.","Mayor Nancy Backus said the city purchased a strip mall to expand the Auburn Resource Center, is increasing outreach staff and is housing people through a coordinated community-court and shelter effort; she cited 472 contacts and 205 people housed last year.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6304769,"Auburn mayor highlights police hiring, cameras and new forensics gear as safety priorities",1018,137839,1156245,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2454486-a880fb0160471f75dab340b52910f59d&start=137&end=1156","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2454486-a880fb0160471f75dab340b52910f59d/thumbnail_137839.jpg","/articles/6304769/Auburn/King-County/Washington/Auburn-mayor-highlights-police-hiring-cameras-and-new-forensics-gear-as-safety-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304769-b7d8519bf19949c630330af060d5ad45/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432687&Signature=oVpvSiUppfLZ97hqEUzfuf2dkuQGgfGrPPaVoVITvurI7zX4S~GGoipZcQ3UvC-08jwLwN53Tzvlxow5YD6zDHOFe7MOVFxR6fvcKT2vCz4qnEUvodyAPG7dlL8m~WhAOcrA~uPz8YI5gSnOgQT-mzHsqykRJFHSPeuQXfjFecqxQqkJVS3CSuyiQIX-9RMVYL9pWuAGj2xMnUGXb3GFLiX-WcpzE4E~Iyp1lqbt4fK6TZ~Rj4rm9-enuMvwgwvSi-lTRRREh-82Jf1rUig9Hx~yqK8Phev0lAREZIB~WfvpI056Un591OGiknLaRIAteRFWz41tDoCi4A-8bPT5JQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus said the city is expanding its public-safety capacity and investing in technology and crime-solving tools as it works to address residents' safety concerns.

“Many of you in Auburn right now feel unsafe,” Mayor Nancy Backus said, noting the city prioritized officer hiring and other measures after reports of graffiti, theft and violent crime. She said the Council approved 10 new commissioned officer positions this year's budget, bringing the total to 128 commissioned officers.

The mayor said Auburn installed 20 license-plate recognition cameras in 2024 and is looking to expand that network. She credited the cameras with helping to locate stolen vehicles and identify suspects who entered the city in vehicles flagged in regional systems.

Mayor Backus also said the city received a grant from the state attorney general’s office “in excess of $200,000” to buy NIBIN equipment that matches shell casings from crime scenes to other shootings and build evidence across jurisdictions. She described the tool as part of broader regional coordination with neighboring cities and King County.

Police staffing and technology were framed alongside prevention and community programs. Backus cited declines in calls for service — “nearly 10%” overall and larger drops in some categories — but emphasized juvenile violence remained a concern, pointing to three juvenile-involved homicides in the prior year.

The mayor said the city is combining enforcement, new programs and partnerships, including community court and peer-support efforts, to reduce repeat involvement and keep people connected to services.

The address did not include a timetable for filling the 10 open officer positions or a detailed procurement schedule for camera expansion. The city attorney and police department were named as partners in regional efforts but specific policy changes for juvenile prosecution were described as ongoing discussions with state lawmakers and county partners.","Mayor Nancy Backus told the State of the City audience Auburn is expanding the police force, deploying license-plate cameras and buying forensic equipment after a year with lower overall crime but persistent juvenile violence.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Auburn projects housing, jobs and rapid-ride transit funding as part of growth plan

Auburn outlines street projects, school-zone cameras and multi-year utility investment plans

Downtown Auburn redevelopment to include new arts campus and rebuilt Auburn Avenue Theatre

Auburn expands one-stop resource center and community court as part of homelessness strategy

Auburn mayor highlights police hiring, cameras and new forensics gear as safety priorities