“They understand that a safe, clean downtown benefits everyone—shoppers, workers, and visitors alike.” A REGIONAL HUB FOR RETAIL AND HEALTHCARE Covington has emerged as both a retail and medical hub for southeast King County. Major retailers such as Fred Meyer, Costco, Home Depot, Walmart, Safeway, and Kohl’s draw consumers from surrounding communities, while the city’s medical sector continues to expand to meet growing demand. Valley Medical Center and MultiCare Health Systems have established strong footholds in the city, supported in part by Covington’s high insured rate. These providers not only deliver care locally but also use the revenue from their Covington locations to subsidize services in less profitable areas. “We’re proud of our role in the region,” Bolli enthuses. “Whether it’s retail, healthcare, or housing, we’re helping to meet critical needs beyond our city limits.” NAVIGATING GROWTH AND STATEWIDE POLICY CHALLENGES As with many fast-growing cities in Washington, Covington faces challenges related to state land use laws and unfunded mandates. City officials have been vocal in advocating for local control, emphasizing the importance of community-specific planning over one-size-fits-all regulation. “We want to grow smart, not just fast,” Bolli says.“But we also need support from the state to do that in a way that serves our people.” Despite these hurdles, the city remains optimistic. With strong leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and an engaged citizenry, Covington is wellpositioned to manage growth while staying true to its roots. LOOKING AHEAD: THE FUTURE OF COVINGTON As Covington continues to evolve, its leaders Homes available nationwide. Photos are images only and should not be relied upon to confirm applicable features. This is not an offering where prohibited by law. TollBrothers.com/MH Building Beautiful Luxury Homes in the Puget Sound Area Decorated Model Homes | Home Personalization | Exceptional Service Priced from the mid-$600,000s to $2.7 million 80 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09
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