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Joint memorial asks WSTC to extend 'Martin Luther King Jr. Way' along SR 900 and SR 515
Summary
Senate Joint Memorial 8000 asks the Washington State Transportation Commission to extend the 'Martin Luther King Jr. Way' designation along State Route 900 to SR 515 and along SR 515 to SR 516 in Kent; staff estimated some sign replacement costs for I-405 and said local cities own the route signs.
Senate Joint Memorial 8000 requests that the Washington State Transportation Commission begin proceedings to extend the naming of Martin Luther King Jr. Way along State Route 900 and the entirety of State Route 515.
Danny Masterson, committee staff, told the Senate Transportation Committee that the Transportation Commission — which names state highways — initiates sign and naming work after receiving a request and holding a public hearing. "This joint memorial requests that the Commission commence proceedings to extend the naming of Martin Luther King Junior Way along State Route 900 from its current end at the westerly city limits of Renton to the junction with State Route 515 and then along the entirety of State Route 515 which extends to State Route 516 in Kent," Masterson said.
Masterson's staff presentation included a fiscal estimate from Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT): WSDOT estimated about $31,000 to replace some signs along I-405. Masterson noted the route signs along the portions in Renton and Kent belong to those cities and that their costs were indeterminate in the staff memo.
Senator Claudia Kaufman (D-47) sponsored the memorial and said the idea came from constituents in her district and supporters on Kent's East Hill. "This is certainly fitting," Kaufman said during her remarks on Martin Luther King Day, describing the extension as meaningful to her community.
Gwen Allen Karsten, executive director of the Kent Black Action Commission and a long-time Kent resident, testified in support and described the extension as a community symbol honoring King's legacy. Committee staff recorded one pro sign-in and 46 con sign-ins from members who signed in but did not testify.
The committee closed the public hearing; no committee vote was recorded in the Jan. 20 transcript. The Transportation Commission holds the formal naming proceeding and would be responsible for any final decision and sign installation if the commission moves forward.
