"The property is located within a prime industrial zone, and it is important we get the best value for the people of South Park and the citizens of King County," Sims explains. "This site long served the community for waste disposal, now it is time for it to help revitalize the area by producing jobs and incomes for citizens."

King County's Solid Waste Division began marketing the property when a site investigation concluded last year that the property could support industrial development. Sims emphasizes the need for both a high quality developer and redevelopment of the property by pushing for a number of criteria in the developer selection process, including living-wage job creation, site aesthetics, financial stability and environmental responsibility.

A Citizen's Advisory Committee also helped define what the development goals should be for the property. King County hired Heartland, a local real estate adviser/broker to market the property last year and a Developer Selection Panel was utilized to ensure the selection of a developer who met the County's selection criteria.

Upon completion of negotiations with the developer - expected later this year - the plans for redevelopment will be presented to the community in a public meeting. The redevelopment could begin on the site as soon as 2003. It is estimated the project could retain and create a significant number of jobs when complete and fully occupied.