Auburn voters on Tuesday night were asked to render judgment on a $59 million bond measure that would repair 31 miles of aging commuter and freight corridors, and make improvements at key intersections throughout Auburn.
In returns from Tuesday night’s special election, the Save Our Streets Phase 2 measure, which the newly formed Auburn Transportation Benefit District put forward in February to make up for monies the state and federal governments no longer contribute, got thumped.
Where a 60-percent supermajority was required for passage of the bond, the measure fell just short of even a simple majority, garnering 50.09 percent yes votes, (4,321), to 49.91 no votes (4,305) in the combined results of King and Pierce counties released early Wednesday morning. To be considered a valid election, the measure required a minimum turnout of 6,060 registered voters. It got 8,626.
The measure was the culminating work and recommendation of the Arterial Streets Task Force, which met twice over the last five years in partnership with the City to figure out how to address the problem of deteriorating roads and streets within the city.
Terry Davis, task force co-chair, called the results “just disappointing.”
“But if the people of Auburn don’t want their roads to be fixed and want to continue the patch-roof style, that’s what they’re telling me and the leadership that they want. It’s unfortunate, but it was a short window to get the message out. The bottom line is there’s no other money, and the problem’s only going to get worse.”
Nancy Wyatt, president and COO of the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce, said she understands voter angst.
“Understanding the tough times we are in, I understand why people are not yet willing to invest in street repair,” Wyatt said. “I would love to hear more from the citizens, though, about how we are going to get the roads repaired. I still feel that the solution that was offered with the bond was the right direction to go — fair, equitable and truly gets to solving our problems.
“It’s not just trucks causing the damage, every single vehicle causes damage. We all use the roads, we are all interconnected. If we can’t repair the roads, we will not have the goods and services and the quality of life we want here in Auburn.”
The Save Our Streets (SOS) Phase II – Keep Auburn Moving program buillt on the voter-approved SOS local streets improvement plan and aimed at ensuring that every dollar generated would be dedicated to specific road improvements and could not be spent on other general fund purposes.
