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Auburn council authorizes Section 108 loan guarantee application to finance Resource Center project
Summary
The Auburn City Council on June 16 approved a resolution to file a Section 108 loan guarantee application with HUD to finance the Auburn Resource Center project. Supporters at public comment described the center as a resource hub; some residents raised concerns about project costs.
The Auburn City Council voted June 16 to authorize the mayor to file a Section 108 loan guarantee application with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to finance the Auburn Resource Center project.
Council member Amer moved to adopt resolution 58 36 and Council member Clinton Taylor seconded; the council approved the measure by voice vote.
Supporters at the meeting described the proposed redevelopment as a consolidated hub for services accessible by major transit lines and targeted at neighborhoods with high need. David Wright, vice chair of Auburn's Human Services Committee and a King County Library System employee at the Auburn Library, spoke in favor: "Working in the library every day, I see the breadth and depth of need in our community, and I see the challenges people face in navigating the network of resources necessary to set themselves on a path for success... For Auburn residents actively seeking to improve their lives, we'll be able to go and get the help and services that they need. ... When Kent, who has done so much to create real, meaningful, and accountable change for our most vulnerable residents says this is a solid path forward, I believe him. I hope that you will as well and support resolution 58 36." (Speaker punctuation and capitalization preserved from the record.)
Some public commenters expressed concern about cost. Resident Virginia Haugen said during the general public comment period, "A loan guarantee for the Auburn Resource Center project... $3,000,000 is a lot of money." She also asked questions about additional local spending for related projects, saying, "77,000, I believe, more we need for the postmark to finish the basement." The council did not amend the resolution on the floor; the adopted resolution authorizes city staff to submit the Section 108 loan guarantee application to HUD.
City staff present included the project lead, Director Kent Hay, who the council said was available to brief members at an earlier study session. Council members who spoke in favor cited the project's potential to centralize services and improve access for residents in the highest-need areas.
The resolution does not, in the meeting record, specify the exact loan guarantee amount being requested to HUD; public comments referenced a $3,000,000 figure and a separate $77,000 local amount as observations by residents. Council approved authorizing staff to proceed with the application process.
