Proving to be even more popular than expected, the Senate transportation feedback forums being hosted by Senate Transportation Committee co-chairs, Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, and Sen. Tracey Eide, D-Federal Way, have attracted hundreds of area residents to the Bellevue location and most recently, to the Snohomish County location in Everett. Because of the overwhelming response, transportation leaders have decided to move the Oct. 2 forum from Greater Spokane Inc. in downtown Spokane to the theater at Central Valley High School in Spokane Valley.

“In Bellevue, we saw close to 400 people pack themselves into a school gymnasium,” King said. “It was standing room only, and the same was true for the Everett location. Hundreds of people turned out, which made us realize that some of the other facilities may not be large enough to handle the crowd. I’ve said it before, but it’s a good day in state government when we have to make room for more citizens due to the overwhelming turnout.”

The theater at Central Valley High School holds over 500 comfortably and is already set up to host presentations. The address is 821 S Sullivan Rd. in Spokane Valley. Because it’s a public school, it will also accommodate attendees with a variety of disabilities.

“We want to make sure that every resident who wants to be heard can do so easily, which is why we’re taking steps to help those with mobility issues, hearing and sight loss and other concerns,” Eide said. “The first two feedback forums were extremely educational and positive, and we’re very much looking forward to the next three in Wenatchee, Yakima and Tri-Cities next week.”

The additional Senate transportation feedback forum locations are:

• Sept. 23 – Wenatchee (North Central Region) 6-9 p.m.
  Chelan County PUD Auditorium, 327 N Wenatchee Ave., Wenatchee, WA 98801
• Sept. 24 – Yakima (South Central Region) 6-9 p.m.
  Yakima Area Arboretum, Garden View Rm., 1401 Arboretum Dr., Yakima, WA 98901
• Sept. 26 – Tri-Cities 6-9 p.m.
  Columbia Basin College, Gjerde Center, 2600 N. 20th Ave., Pasco, WA 99301
• Oct. 2 – Spokane (Eastern Region) 6-9 p.m.
  Central Valley High School theater, 821 S Sullivan Rd., Spokane Valley, WA 99037
• Oct. 7 – Vancouver (Southwest Region) 6-9 p.m.
  Department of Transportation Southwest Region Office, 11018 Northeast 51st Circle, Vancouver 98682
• Oct. 9 – Tacoma (Olympic Region) 6-9 p.m.
  Evergreen Tacoma Campus, Lyceum Hall, 1210 6th Ave., Tacoma, WA 98405
• Oct. 14 – Seattle 6-9 p.m.
  First Presbyterian Church, 1013 8th Ave., Seattle
• Oct. 15 – Bellingham 6-9 p.m.
  Port of Bellingham Cruise Terminal, 355 Harris Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225

Those unable to attend a feedback forum in person can submit their comments online at www.senatetranspofeedbackforum.org.