Forum In Renton Airs Plan For Allen Campus
RENTON - Eydie Hamilton moved to the Kennydale neighborhood last spring because it's quiet. There isn't much traffic. And she's got a nice view of Lake Washington.
She's not about to give it up for software billionaire Paul Allen, who might soon become a neighbor.
Allen wants to set up a campus on 60 acres of waterfront property on the southern end of Lake Washington for four of his companies: Starwave, an online multimedia company; Vulcan Northwest, a venture-capital firm; Asymetrix, a software company; and the Paul Allen Group, which provides investment counsel.
Allen has yet to buy the property, pending results of an environmental study to see whether it would be feasible to clean up and develop the land, contaminated by a creosote plant previously located there.
The test results are expected by spring, and the 10-year construction project could start in 1999.
His plans for the milelong stretch of shoreline include developing a public park, walking and biking trails, and a marina with hotels, restaurants and retail shops.
It all sounds good. But Kennydale residents like Hamilton have plenty of concerns.
They mostly want to know: What will Allen do with all the traffic?
"I want my grandchild to come visit me without getting run over," said Hamilton, 52.
She was one of about 60 people last night who mingled with Allen employees and asked many questions at an open house at Kennydale Elementary School.
The event was organized by the Paul Allen Group to get the public involved from the beginning in Allen's proposed $400 million project, said Jeff Graves, project manager.
"The feelings of the people is his forethought," Graves said. "Efficiency of the project is enhanced . . . with face-to-face communication."
The group called for the second open house last night because so many people were turned away at a first one last week. About 200 of the 700 residents who showed up last Wednesday night couldn't even get through the doors.
The project piqued interest among many Kennydale-area residents who fear new buildings might block their lake views and would bring crowds to Kennydale Beach Park, a popular spot for neighborhood kids.
But the top concern among Renton residents who live near the proposed site off of Lake Washington Boulevard is the traffic that would dump into the Kennydale neighborhood from a potential influx of 10,000 or more employees.
"I'm having a hard time figuring out how are they going to get 10,000 people in and out," said Tony Campell-Aikens, 36. "I-405 is to capacity."
For resident Ernie Tonda, a 73-year-old born and reared in Renton, traffic tie-ups aren't a big deal. Increased traffic, he said, is just part of progress.
"When I see progress like this, that's a real plus for the city," Tonda said. "I don't see how anybody can complain."
He said the project would bring much-needed business to the city, and the site would finally be cleaned up and developed.