Seattle City Buzz

The first phase of the redevelopment of the South Lake Union Park is complete and the folks at the Seattle Parks Foundation will be hosting a Grand Opening celebration on  April 30th from 11:00am – 1:00pm.  The public is invited to experience this new public park on the shores of Lake Union.  Activities include food, music, boat rides, and prizes.

Seattle residents will enjoy 1.6 acres of new green space, relax on the terraced steps, stroll along the cedar plank boardwalk, and watch the wildlife from the pedestrian bridge.  Plus get a preview of the final 12-acre waterfront park, which will be completed by 2010.

Seattle Parks Foundation is completing its campaign to raise $20 million in private contributions to develop this world-class park in the heart of Seattle.  Thanks to generous donors, many in South Lake Union, the time has come to celebrate!

Another year, another sales tax increase in King County. Last April 1st, the sales tax in King County increased a tenth of a percent to 8.9% to improve bus transportation services.

Effective April 1st, 2008, King County’s sales tax will be going up another one-tenth of a percent to 9.0%. This increase will be used for chemical dependency or mental health treatment services.

Taxes for those parts of the county not included in the RTA district will be 8.6%.

Tax rate bulletin from the state DOR (PDF) .