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Priority Hire Grant Program
Purpose: King County is building on the success of its Priority Hire program, and has awarded grants to other public entities that have an interest in developing a Priority Hire program. In 2023, King County launched the Priority Hire Grant Program to support local governments including cities, towns, school districts, and public colleges, interested in advancing equitable workforce practices through public construction projects. The program provides seed funding to help jurisdictions build the foundation for their own Priority Hire initiatives. Grant awards are intended to be used as seed money to assist local jurisdictions in the early stages of establishing a local Priority Hire Program.
King County has funded grant proposals that included a clear vision for how the jurisdiction plans to move forward with Priority Hire by:
(i) Moving forward with a local Priority Hire pilot project; or
(ii) Initiating a phased approach with a pilot project followed by a broader implementation at a later date; or
(iii) The immediate start-up of a full program.
Priority Hire Grant Awarded Projects
Highline Public Schools - New Tyee High School
Highline Public Schools was one of the early recipients, using the grant to support the reconstruction of Tyee High School, a 210,000-square-foot replacement project aimed at transforming the aging campus into a modern educational facility.
From the onset, King County’s support extended beyond funding. Staff from the County’s Priority Hire Program provided hands-on guidance to Highline in implementing a Community Workforce Agreement (CWA) with local trade unions. This partnership helped ensure field compliance, promote diverse hiring, engage apprentices, and track meaningful outcomes. Through the funding, Highline hired a consultant to continue with leading these efforts and ensure compliance through the life of the project.
So far, the results demonstrate real impact:
- Over $1.4 million in wages earned by Priority Hire workers
- More than 27,000 labor hours worked by individuals from economically distressed zip codes
This project is not only rebuilding a school, it’s building a more inclusive future. Through the Priority Hire Grant Program, King County and Highline Public Schools are showing how public investment can drive opportunity, representation, and long-term community benefit.
Detailed project updates can be viewed by visiting:
For additional news updates on the Tyee High School reconstruction, please visit the New Tyee High School Repurposes Gym Floor as Colorful Seating and Wall Paneling and Tyee Alum and Laborer Proud to Help Rebuild School news posts.
Seattle Public Schools
Seattle Public Schools received two grants from the King County Grant Program to support major capital improvement projects across the district. The first grant, totaling $499,778, was awarded to assist with renovation and construction efforts at five school sites: Rainier Beach High School, Alki Elementary, John Rogers Elementary, Montlake Elementary, and Asa Mercer International Middle School. The second grant, amounting to $387,508, was designated for improvements to Memorial Stadium. These funds have supported local workforce participation and helped advance the district’s goals for equitable, sustainable, and community-centered school facilities.
- Rainier Beach High School
Rainier Beach High School completed Phase 3 of its modernization project in April 2025, with students and staff moving into a new classroom wing. The project also includes a new Performing Arts Center and athletic fields. Dedication ceremonies were held in May. The Priority Hire Grant supported the employment of local workers during this phase of construction.
Additional information on this project can be found by visiting Rainier Beach Bursts into Spring with New Campus.
- Alki Elementary School
Seattle Public Schools is replacing the existing Alki Elementary School with a new 75,000-square-foot, multi-story facility while preserving and modernizing the existing gymnasium and Alki Community Center. Located at 3010 59th Ave SW, the project aims to provide an equitable, long-lasting learning environment for up to 542 PreK–5 students, with inclusive spaces that support academic, social, and emotional needs. Constructed from cross-laminated timber to reduce environmental impact, the building will meet or exceed Washington State and Seattle Energy Codes, targeting an energy use index (EUI) of 17 kBTU/SF/Year. The design includes a welcoming entrance facing the Park District Boulevard to strengthen community connections and improve accessibility. Seattle Public Schools is working closely with Seattle Parks on improvements to surrounding park property, including Whale Tale Park and the Alki playfield.
For the latest updates on this project, please visit Alki Elementary School Addition and Gym Modernization Project.
- The John Rogers Elementary School Replacement Project
This school will replace the existing 40,352-square-foot, single-story structure with an 88,266-square-foot, multi-story building designed to last over 100 years and constructed within a $58 million budget. Located at 4030 NE 109th St, Seattle, WA 98125, the project includes hazardous material abatement, demolition, site work, new construction, and off-site improvements. Students will be temporarily relocated during the two-year construction period. The new facility will support 500 K–5 students with flexible space to expand to 650 students and will include four childcare classrooms, a 650-student dining commons, and additional administrative, early learning, and childcare support areas. The building will be constructed with durable materials and designed to meet Seattle Public Schools’ educational and operational standards.
Additional information on this project can be found by visiting John Rogers Elementary School Replacement Project.
- The Montlake Elementary Modernization and Addition Project
This project will renovate the existing 1920 school building and add a new 65,000-square-foot, three-story structure designed with durable materials for a lifespan of 100 years or more. Located at 2409 222nd Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112, the updated facility will accommodate up to 500 K–5 students, meeting Seattle Public Schools’ educational standards without room for future expansion due to the limited site size. Students will be relocated offsite for two years following the 2022–2023 school year during construction. The design, informed by input from school leaders, students, families, and community members, includes accessible learning environments, shared learning spaces, and a secure main entrance through a new northeast-facing entry plaza. The addition will be integrated into the site to maintain the scale of the existing building and surrounding neighborhood.
For the latest updates on this project, please visit Montlake Elementary Modernization and Addition Project.
- The Asa Mercer International Middle School Replacement Project
This project will construct a new 174,000-square-foot, three-story building at 1600 S Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98108, to serve up to 1,000 students in grades 6–8. The new facility, designed with a mass timber structure to reduce environmental impact, will feature secure entry points, outdoor learning areas, and a synthetic turf practice field for year-round school and community use. Classrooms will be arranged in academic neighborhoods with flexible support spaces to foster a sense of community and support both academic achievement and students’ social-emotional needs. Students will attend the Van Asselt interim school during construction, scheduled from 2023 to 2025. The design is intended to integrate well with the surrounding neighborhood and provide a modern, sustainable learning environment.
For the latest updates on this project, please visit Asa Mercer International Middle School Replacement Project.
Project #2: Memorial Stadium
Memorial Stadium is undergoing a $140 million, two-year transformation, with construction having commenced in July 2025 and scheduled for completion by July/August 2027. The redevelopment will replace the aging facility with a modern, multi-purpose stadium to host Seattle Public Schools athletics, as well as academic, arts, and community events. Funded primarily through the 2022 capital levy, with support from the City of Seattle and One Roof Stadium Partnership, the project also received a significant $387,508 Priority Hire grant from King County, supporting equitable workforce training initiatives. As part of its mission, the design preserves the historic Memorial Wall and enhances public plaza space, while offering students workforce development opportunities and a vibrant venue for both school and community use.
Additional information on this project can be found by visiting A New Vision for Memorial Stadium.
City of SeaTac - 34th Avenue South Phase II Project
King County’s Priority Hire Grant awarded $218,669 to the City of SeaTac to support the 34th Avenue South Phase II Project, with an initial construction start date planned for May 2025. However, the project has experienced multiple delays, including an eight-month setback to reevaluate bike lane design options and a two-month delay after expanding the project scope to include a segment of South 176th Street. In addition, the City is now pursuing $2.96 million in federal funding, which has triggered a required biological assessment under the NEPA process—potentially adding up to two years to the timeline. As a result, construction is now expected to begin in 2027 at the earliest. Due to these delays and the expiration of CLFR funding in 2026, the City estimates that only $38,906 of the grant will be expended prior to construction and will shift remaining funds toward planning activities, including the negotiation of a Community Workforce Agreement.