October 19 2010 – Voice of the Valley

YarrowBay Holding and the City of Maple Valley finalized an agreement regarding transportation improvements within Maple Valley. The agreement was approved by the Maple Valley City Council on October 6, 2010. Based on this agreement, YarrowBay Holding will make contributions to the transportation infrastructure in Maple Valley.

In August, the Black Diamond City Council unanimously voted to approve, with conditions, the master planned developments The Villages and Lawson Hills. To support the needs of the new developments, and to account for the traffic impacts on Maple Valley, YarrowBay and the City of Maple Valley signed an agreement detailing the timing of YarrowBay’s contribution to fifteen transportation improvements in Maple Valley.

“We are excited to have reached an agreement with the City of Maple Valley. By working together, YarrowBay and the City of Maple Valley will be able to improve the transportation corridor serving the citizens of Maple Valley, Black Diamond, and the greater south King County area,” said Brian Ross, CEO of YarrowBay.

The agreement details 15 transportation improvement projects of which YarrowBay will pay a mutually agreed percentage share of the costs. Each project will be initiated upon completion of a development milestone within the master planned development as set forth in the agreement.

The 15 traffic improvement projects detailed in the agreement include various intersection and road widening improvements along SR 169 and SR 516, the main transportation corridors that will be utilized by new residents of the master planned communities in Black Diamond.

“Our agreement with YarrowBay gives us the flexibility to plan for and build fifteen transportation improvements in a way that best meets the needs of our City. Maple Valley invested much staff and consulting time into negotiating this agreement, and I am proud of the outcome achieved, and look forward to a cooperative working relationship for years to come with YarrowBay,” said David Johnston, City Manager.