For more information contact: Rhonda Rosenberg, KCHA, Communications Director, (206) 574-1185; Claude DaCorsi, Director of Construction, (206) 574-1210

June 28, 2002

KING COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY PAVES PARKING LOT AND PUTS UP A PARADISE: Second lot improves resident safety and quality of life

NORMANDY PARK– The residents of Brittany Park, a 43-unit apartment building for seniors and disabled adults, have seen their quality of life improve significantly with the construction of a second parking lot at the building. Before, they had to vie for 15 precious parking spaces. When all of the stalls in the little lot were taken, residents had to park along busy First Avenue South, in the rutted alley next to the building or at the parking lot of a shopping center several blocks away.

"The parking situation created a number of safety issues for residents who, as a consequence of having no place to park on the property, had to park elsewhere and walk along a heavily trafficked corridor to get home," said Stephen Norman, executive director of the King County Housing Authority.

The competition for parking spaces began to intensify in the 1990s, as a growing percentage of residents acquired cars. Brittany Park, which was built in 1970, is typical of buildings for the elderly and disabled of that period. Parking lots were relatively small then, since few seniors and disabled persons drove. Now, 30 years later, most residents own a vehicle and drive to maintain their independence.

By building the second lot behind Brittany Park, the King County Housing Authority has dramatically improved the residents’ safety and quality of life, said Norman.

Covering a barren stretch of grass, weeds and stones, the new 29-stall lot, combined with the reconfigured, 18-stall front lot, means an ample 47 spaces of safe, convenient parking for a population that truly needed it. Spurred by resident initiative and aided by a title deviation granted by a sympathetic Normandy Park City Council, KCHA made a commitment to build the second lot and pave and expand the alley that leads to it.

"We’re glad we were finally able to improve the safety situation for our elderly and disabled tenants. The residents have been living with a frustrating situation for a long time," said Norman. "But we couldn’t have done it without the help of those same people who pushed hard to get a zoning change from the city of Normandy Park. "

Residents hailed the new lot.

"I felt like a prisoner in my own home," stated one resident. "I was afraid to go out for fear of not finding a parking space when I returned. Now I feel free to come and go as I please. It’s just wonderful."

To make the project happen, the King County Housing Authority obtained easements from neighbors for changes to the alley, including widening and paving it. In addition, the Authority provided for a 100-foot swath of bicycle lane on First Avenue South.

The parking improvements were funded out of the agency’s capital projects budget. It is just one of several capital projects funded by the Authority to address to health and safety needs of its residents. Other health and safety projects include the installation of state-of-the-art fire alarm and life safety systems at its senior and disabled buildings around the county.

Future projects of this nature could be jeopardized by a proposed cut of 25 percent to the fiscal year 2003 HUD budget.

Brittany Park is located at 18265 First Ave. South in Normandy Park.

KCHA administers a range of quality affordable rental and homeownership programs for residents of King County. The Authority serves more than 14,000 households, including families, the elderly and disabled.