Event featuring Seattle Seahawks standout Mack Strong to raise money for charity
March 19, 2012
NEW — 4:15 p.m. March 19, 2012
Newcastle residents will have the opportunity to meet Mack and Zoe Strong from 4 to 6 p.m. April 28 at the Newcastle Professional Center. A portion of the event’s profits will go toward the TEAM-WORKS Academy, a program of the Washington Chapter of HOPE worldwide.
HOPE worldwide is a faith-based relief and development organization founded in 1991 that is dedicated to serving the poor and needy.
After 15 years in the NFL as a Seattle Seahawks fullback, Mack and his wife Zoe run the Mack Strong Team-Works Academy helping disadvantaged and at risk kids. The Strongs were named Washingtonians of the Year by Lt. Governor Brad Owen in 2011.
Newcastle to host U.S. Rep. Adam Smith on Jan. 14
January 9, 2012
NEW — 12:25 p.m. Jan. 9, 2012
A meet and greet for U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, Washington’s 9th Congressional District representative, will take place at 10 a.m. Jan. 14 at the Newcastle Professional Center.
Final drafts of the Washington State Redistricting Commission’s maps move the city of Newcastle from the 8th to Smith’s 9th Congressional District next year.
The event is free and open to the public.
Congressman Dave Reichert will represent Newcastle until the end of 2012, but Newcastle, Mercer Island and Bellevue will shift to representation from the 9th District in 2013.
City Hall to close for move to professional center
October 13, 2011
NEW — 11:30 p.m., Oct. 13, 2011
City Hall will officially close down its offices located at 13020 Newcastle Way to make the transition to its home in the Newcastle Professional Center at 12835 Newcastle Way. The closure will take place Oct. 24.
The new City Hall will open for business Oct. 25. The city’s 649-4444 phone number will remain the same.
The City Council voted in February to make the move to the second floor of the professional center. The city has been located above Newport Manufacturing for 15 years.
Reserve funds, utility money to pay for City Hall move
April 1, 2011
The City Council voted 6-1 at its March 15 meeting to pay for this year’s $250,000 City Hall move with money from its cumulative reserve fund and surface water management fund.
The reserves will take the biggest hit, funding $225,000, and the surface water management fund will cover the remaining $25,000.
The $250,000 will cover remodeling costs in the new building and all moving expenses.
That was one of two funding structures city staff proposed when the City Council voted in February to move City Hall from the Newport Manufacturing building, 13020 Newcastle Way, to the Newcastle Professional Center, 12835 Newcastle Way.
The city’s cumulative reserve fund has $1.5 million for capital purchases or unforeseen operating costs, although the city has never drawn money from the fund to pay for capital purchases, according to city code. Use of the reserves requires a two-thirds majority vote by the City Council.
The surface water management fund typically pays for maintenance of and repairs to the city’s surface water system, which includes drainage ponds. However, the fund is also used to cover overhead costs and salaries for employees who work on surface water projects.
City Manager Rob Wyman said that is the only fund — other than the general fund — that funds staff salaries and overhead, so it can bear some of the cost of the move.
City Hall to relocate by end of the year
March 4, 2011
UPDATED — 4:25 p.m. March 4, 2011
Council turns down offer to use both floors of current building
Newcastle City Hall will move to the second floor of the Newcastle Professional Center, 12835 Newcastle Way, by the end of the year. By Tim Pfarr
So long, 13020 Newcastle Way. The City Council voted to move City Hall to the 7,500-square-foot second floor of the Newcastle Professional Center, 12835 Newcastle Way, by the end of the year.
City staff recommended the move, expected to cost $250,000.
City Hall move risky but understandable
March 4, 2011
Moving City Hall from the Newport Manufacturing building, 13020 Newcastle Way, to the Newcastle Professional Center, 12835 Newcastle Way, is understandable but risky. The City Council needs to be sure it protects residents as it takes this risk.
The Newport Manufacturing building is run-down, an embarrassing place for City Hall. There is little the city could do to change the image of this building. The move to a nearly new building may improve employee morale, attract better job candidates and reduce employee turnover.
More importantly, the Newcastle Professional Center is the only office space available in the city of Newcastle. It may be the only opportunity for many years for the city to get out of the Newport Manufacturing building.
The big concern is the cost. It will cost the city $250,000 to move into the new building, and the city will pay an average of $15,000 more per year in rent and utilities in the new building.
Rapid Response
March 4, 2011
What do you think of the City Council’s decision to move City Hall to the Newcastle Professional Center?
OK, as long as we can develop where City Hall currently is into a good tax resource (i.e. a great bistro-type restaurant. No fast food allowed!) for the city.
— Jackie Foskett, Newcastle
I think larger space was sacrificed for nicer space when funds are low. Rent could go up substantially before improvements are amortized. Maintenance and storage spaces are still needed.
— Peggy Price, Newcastle
Great move and better accessibility for all.
— Trina Sooy, Newcastle
City Hall to move to Newcastle Professional Center by end of year
February 7, 2011
Council turns down offer to use both floors of current building
UPDATED — 5:25 p.m. Feb. 10, 2011
So long, 13020 Newcastle Way.
The City Council has voted to move City Hall to the 7,500-square-foot second floor of the Newcastle Professional Center, 12835 Newcastle Way, by the end of the year. City staff recommended the move, which will cost $250,000.
City Manager Rob Wyman said it is the state of the current facility that prompted the recommendation. The city’s lease with current landlord Jim Denton expires at the end of the year.
The City Council voted 4-3 at its Feb. 1 meeting to allow Wyman to sign a five-year lease with dentist Dr. Geoffrey Strange, who owns the Newcastle Professional Center.
Council to hold special meeting tonight to consider moving City Hall
February 7, 2011
UPDATED — 4 p.m. Feb. 7, 2011
The City Council will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. today in Council Chambers, 13020 Newcastle Way, to consider moving City Hall to the second floor of the Newcastle Professional Center, 12835 Newcastle Way.
The meeting is open to the public, but there will be no opportunity for public comment.
The City Council voted 4-3 at its Feb. 1 meeting to allow City Manager Rob Wyman to sign a lease with the Newcastle Professional Center. If Wyman signs the lease, the city would need to move to the 7,500-quare-foot space by the end of the year. The move would cost about $250,000.
