Highway 169 Widening start date!

 Dear Homeowners,

Hello,

My name is Amy Shaw, and I am a Senior Project Engineer with the City of Maple Valley. I will be managing the City’s T-45 SR 169 Widening project. I plan to send out update emails like this one for any major changes or events related to the T-45 SR 169 Widening project, but see below for other resources for updates.

Before our construction project starts, PSE Gas will be working on some gas line relocations in several locations along SR 169 from around SE 253rd Pl to around SE 260th St. PSE’s work will begin on 7/8 and their work will take place between 9:00am and 3:00pm. PSE will maintain one lane of traffic in each direction at all times, but there may be lane adjustments as needed. They plan to start at the intersection of SE 253rd Pl and work their way south. PSE will be providing access to all driveways as they work, with traffic control present as needed. Please anticipate traffic delays.

The City’s contractor, Active Construction, Inc. (ACI), plans to start mobilizing to the site to start construction on 7/22. ACI will start with surveying the site and placing construction fencing and erosion control. After we have the pre-construction meeting with ACI we will provide another update.

For more information on the project, visit the City’s project page on the website (www.maplevalleywa.gov/t-45). Throughout the project we will be providing updates on the update page (https://www.maplevalleywa.gov/departments-services/public-works/capital-improvement-projects/current-transportation-improvement-projects/t-45-sr-169-widening-project-4/t-45-sr-169-widening-project-updates). We will also create news release posts on our website and social media posts on our City of Maple Valley, WA – Government Facebook page to share any important developments. To sign up for notifications on our website posts, please follow this link to select “SR 169 Construction Widening Project” in the news section (https://www.maplevalleywa.gov/what-s-happening/sign-up-for-enotices).

For any questions related to this project, please send me an email at Amy.Shaw@maplevalleywa.gov.

Thank you, and I hope you have a great Independence Day!

 Dear Homeowners,

Update on our front entrance: 

• The stakes you see at our front entrance is PSE doing gas realignment work.  PSE is anticipating the gas work to start 6/24.  
• The MV City Council has just approved a contract award.  The selected contractor is targeting mid to late July for a start based on their equipment availability and mobilization.
• Sequence of events - Work will begin on the east side of SR169 first.  However, the contractor has the latitude to change what comes next.  We will know more in July and will communicate to homeowners once we have confirmation.
• Joseph Xi, who we have worked closely with for the past 2 years, has accepted a promotion and will be leaving on June 7, 2024.  Congratulations to Joseph.
• The new Project Manager for the city will be Amy Shaw and her email is amy.shaw@maplevalleywa.gov

Dear Homeowners,

The city has been working on finalizing the T-45 design and planning for construction of the T45 Project.

Groundbreaking is planned to begin this summer. As the schedule becomes clearer with our contractor’s ability to mobilize, we will keep the community informed of developments to the scheduled start date.

The bid advertisement ready plan set has been uploaded to the project website here if you are interested. The plan set is a big file and was uploaded using a BOX link. Downloading the file may take a little more time depending on your computer and network.
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We will continue to keep our LFE community updated as current information becomes available or you can always go to the city’s website to find the most up-to-date published information.  T-45: SR 169 Widening Project | Maple Valley WA

Dear Homeowners,

 The LFEHOA169 subcommittee has reached a mutually agreed upon set of terms, conditions & dollar values with the city of MV negotiating team.  The LFE Board of Directors approved our final agreement and now the city team is presenting to city council for final approval.  Target day for response is end of February 2024.  

Best,

LFEHOA Board / 169 Subcommittee

Dear Homeowners,

The 169 committee will give a YTD review of the project at this evenings Annual Member Meeting.

Best,

LFEHOA Board / 169 Subcommittee

Dear Homeowners,

The DRAFT 90% design plans have been uploaded to the project website here. The plan set is a big file and was uploaded using a BOX link. Downloading the file may take a little more time depending on your computer and network.

The City continues to work towards final 100% design by the end of 2023, planning for advertising of the project in March/April 2024.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you for your interest in the project!

Best,

LFEHOA Board / 169 Subcommittee

Dear Homeowners,

We wanted to provide you with a quick update on what the 169 subcommittee has been actively doing, regarding the City's Offering.

First, we have very limited funds but we have hired a certified arborist who has worked with the city and understands how to forecast and appraise trees / landscape values.  We have engaged real estate agent/broker resources from within our community to help us assess the land value.  Unfortunately, the land on the south side of our entrance is identified by King County as a Tract Lot and not residential.  Therefore, the land gets assigned a much lower value ($2.00/SF).  Six comps were provided by the city, but none were (in our opinion) representative of our improved, well-maintained property.  We have been advised to focus our energy on the trees, plants, shrubs, and irrigation.  We are currently engaged in assessing and preparing our best estimate of the “fair value” for our existing mature landscape and required new irrigation.  We are also assessing the zero-fee offering for the temporary construction easement.  Notwithstanding our efforts, there is no guarantee that the city will entertain anything higher than what they have already offered.  Construction timelines are tight and hence, the MV City Council will be asked to approve moving forward  with Eminent Domain on Oct 23, 2023.

Maple Valley City Council Meeting 

Date:  Monday, October 23, 2023 

Time:  7:00pm

Location:  Lake Wilderness Lodge

22500 SE 248th Street
Maple Valley, Washington 98038

The agenda for the meeting will be available on the city's website on Thursday, Oct 19, 2023.  See website link for details:  City Council Regular Business Meeting | List View of All Meetings, Agendas & Minutes | Maple Valley WA

At this meeting, there will be an opportunity for public comment (3 minutes/person).  We are planning on having a few homeowners speak to the city council regarding the issue of equitable compensation in order to reasonably maintain our marquee entrance with remaining space.  

https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/4UItVN4Wdl

Let us know if you are planning on attending.

Best,

LFEHOA Board / 169 Subcommittee

Dear Homeowners,

I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the outstanding response we received from our community. Your prompt engagement has been instrumental in bringing us above our target goal of 77. We've actually received 88 proxy ballots by Sunday evening — an absolutely amazing feat!

With this substantial response, we are now in a strong position to move forward and approach the city for negotiations. This significant show of support will undoubtedly strengthen our position and hopefully allow us to avoid the expense of eminent domain. Your collective effort is truly commendable, and I cannot thank each one of you enough.

As we progress, I will keep you all updated on the negotiations and any further steps we need to take. Your continued involvement and support will be invaluable in seeing this through.

Once again, thank you for your swift and resounding response. Together, we are making a real difference.

Warm regards,

Emil Scioli, LFE HOA President

Dear HOA Members,

Today you should have received a Proxy Ballot in the mail.  Please evaluate and sign/date with your vote. 

The Board recommends “For Approval”

You may scan your completed copy and email back to the LFEHOA Gmail: lfehoa.pobox782@gmail.com  OR

Drop off your Proxy at the Red Box located on the porch of Emil Scioli’s home (Lot 106).  Address:  23401 SE 253rd PL, Maple Valley.

Please return your Proxy Ballot ASAP but No Later Than Saturday, October 7, 2023. 

We need at least (77) "For Approval" signed Proxy Ballots.  

City of Maple Valley has sent LFEHOA  via certified mail:  NOTICE OF PLANNED FINAL ACTION

City of Maple Valley Eminent Domain Proceedings (RCW.8.25.290)

A copy of the Proxy Ballot mailed is attached to this email.  Thank you for your promptness on this very important matter.

Sincerely,

169 Subcommittee / LFEHOA Board

We wanted to give you a quick update on the status of the HWY 169 construction and the roundabout that will be installed at our entrance.  This project is moving forward quickly and the city has asked that we accept their offer to purchase existing HOA land and right-of-way by 9/30/23.  They are committed to their development and approval timeline so that construction can begin in June on 2024.  If we don’t come to an agreement, they will very likely move forward to acquire the property  through eminent domain.  The city is also working with SpringHaven to acquire property at their entrance.

We feel the timeline given to us for making a decision is too aggressive as we haven’t had an opportunity to fully vet their proposal.  The plans progressed very quickly from 60-90 % which we just saw on Friday.  The HWY 169 committee and board are moving as quickly as we can to gather information and ensure that the HOA is fairly compensated.  Here are some next steps that are happening this week:

·  Meeting with SpringHaven HOA to discuss the impact of project and align.

·  An arborist will review the impact of the project and come up with a replacement value.

·  An irrigation consultant will estimate the cost to repair or sprinkler system post construction.

·  Meeting with our HOA attorney, Greg Cromwell to review the project, the offer, next steps and how to proceed.

The impact of the project to our entrance can be seen with the area staked out in red tape.  The project is fully funded and moving forward.   We can’t do anything to stop it but are doing everything we can to protect our financial interest.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Regards,

LFE Board and HWY 169 Committee

Emil, Eric, Sandra, Joe, Stuart, Dick and Gary

The city announced the 90% plan is complete and they will share it with us soon. The final plan is due 12/31/2023