Increased crime in Windtree

Recently the Windtree Neighborhood has seen a number of daytime burglaries. With all of the construction happening in the neighborhood please be on the alert for suspicious persons and activities. A number of residents recently got together and had a representative from the Newcastle Police come and speak about block watch and crime prevention. Here are some notes and contacts from that meeting:

Officer Lockhart told us to be sure to report *any* suspicious activity, and that the best line of defense is an alarm that sounds when doors are opened - it doesn't have to be monitored because just the alarm will send most criminals away.

Block Watch Info
www.metrokc.gov/sheriff/prevention/handbook

City of Newcastle E Alerts
http://www.ci.newcastle.wa.us/cu_sign_up_for_notices.asp

Officer Lockhart
James.Lockhart@metrokc.gov
425-649-4444 x120

Melinda Irvine
Chief of Police Services
police@ci.newcastle.wa.us
425-649-4444

For Construction concerns/problems/issues
Tom Peadon
Coal Creek Utility District, General Manager
425-235-9200
tpeadon@ccud.org

Library public meeting

Last Thursday the King County Library system held another public meeting to review the status and progress of the Newcastle project. The meeting went very well and was attended by several residents in addition to the group of regulars (council, staff, commissioners). I will try to summarize the main points:

• The Library is on track to begin construction in approx one year from now (Jun 2008)
• 2 design plans are being pursued. First is a single story, single use building. The second is a Mixed use, multi story building.
• Bill Ptacek made mention that construction costs are rising and a mixed use development could help offset those costs which is why they were reviewing proposals from a handful of developers. They will make a decision on whether to continue to pursue the mixed use option in the next few weeks.
• A model and conceptual drawings of both a single and multi story building were presented by Mithun Architects.
• Discussion was had around the orientation of the building and it was fairly unanimous that a western entrance would be preferred.
• Parking in the multi story design was discussed in length. Many people had much concern about this. The Mithun representatives acknowledged this was a challenge and would continue to look at options.

In all the meeting was a great status report from KCLS. I had met with Bill Ptacek earlier in the week and was glad that the positive tenor from our meeting carried through to the public meeting on the part of everyone who attended.

I have a clear bias toward the multi use proposal the library has presented. Clearly the library will be a great addition to the city in whatever form it takes, but a mixed-use facility would be the first piece in changing our business district into a vibrant pedestrian center. Look for more information from both the library and the city on this issue in the coming weeks and months.

Welcome to Newcastle Voice

My name is Dan and I am a city councilman for the city of Newcastle, WA. Newcastlevoice is the place to share my views and opinions of the city government. This is a forum for anyone to share ideas and discuss local issues.

My intention is to update this site weekly on Wednesdays, although I may update more frequently if there is news or other topics of note.

Some of you may also recall that this page was once used by former councilmember Stuart Liddle. He left the city several years ago and has been kind enough to recently transfer the website to me.

-dan