Kirkland 2015 - what will downtown look like?
What will Kirkland look like in 2015? What would you like to keep and what would you like to see changed? I asked myself these questions in the wake of the City Council’s recent deliberations.
The comments on these pages are testimony to the wide range of views that we, the citizens of Kirkland have for our city. I think we have successfully identified some areas where the process of development could be improved. The question that needs to be asked is, “how do we move forward from here?” What is your idea of a best possible future for Kirkland in just seven short years from now?
A few things you may want to keep in mind…
By 2015 the new SR-520 should be completed decsions will have been made on a possible Sound Transit light rail for the Eastside the BNSF rail line will likely be a trail or rail corridor (or both) the population of the Puget Sound region will continue to increase A decision will have been made on Kirkland’s potential annexation area will have been made
What is your vision of our future? Share your thoughts and help shape Kirkland. As informed citizens of the community, we have great power.
Sometimes, elected representatives lead the people. Somtimes, they are lead by the people. Personally, I perfer letting my representatives know my preferences before they make policy choices. We, the citizenry, have more power to affect change than you might think. What say you? Share your views.
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Kirkland in 2015 if all goes well? Here is what I would like to see for our fair city.
Kirkland being about the same size in area having decided in 2009 to do the right thing and release the option to annex the outlying areas. They are now part of Bothell.
The full retail re-development of Parkplace is basically completed and has provided Kirkland with a wealth of new shops and restaurants and is a hub of social activity.
Lake Street has been re-developed with several aesthetically pleasing 4 and 5 story retail and office buildings.
Park Lane has been shut to all motorized traffic and is now a pedestrian walkway from Parkplace down to the Marina - integrating the new Transit Center.
A city funded, multi-story paid parking garage in central downtown with the lower level of this garage being retail.
The BNSF railway line is now a commuter rail system and trail system that is connected to Downtown via walking and bike paths and also via a free shuttle service that also runs in a loop around Downtown from Parkplace to the new Mariana garage and up to the rail station.
The Ferry is now running across Lake Union allowing people to commute to the University and even into South Lake Union.
Google and Nokia were just the start - Kirkland worked to develop a community that encouraged high tech companies to locate here and many of the employees have chosen to live in Kirkland.
The Antique Mall site is redeveloped into place like Pike Place Market with small, independent shops such as a butcher, florist, produce, cheese shop, bakery, etc
Retail in Downtown becomes more diversified - better serving the needs of the new office workers and downtown residents as well as the visitors who come to experience Kirkland’s Waterfront, interesting Marina retail area, art galleries, cultural events and restaurants.
I realize this is fairly ambitious and controversial, but if it is a vision for Downtown Kirkland that most share it would be achievable given strong leadership and the right mix of developers, but if we continue to stay our current path none of this will happen and Kirkland might even backslide.
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OK, I could argue some minor details with Downtown Condo Dweller, but I won’t. As another downtown condo dweller myself how could I disagree. Walking, biking to the facilities that make a “community” (whether we call it a town or a city or a neighborhood is irrelevent) are what I hope for. The smaller, more efficient, cars of the future will spend more time parked. Residents will appreciate the density for the diversity it brings. Those living further out will view us as the lucky ones because we do live right downtown.
Maybe we’ll have to consider a Kirkland circulator van/bus to keep them happy out there on Rose Hill or Juanita. Maybe some smart developer will come up with a plan for a market in Juanita Village. Maybe by 2015 the voters will demand that our elected officials develop some backbone and actually decide to act on issues rather than forming another study group to check the election wind direction.
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I like what DCD said. I would suggest a few changes and clarifications.
The buildings on Lake Street are 4-5 stories on the east side of the street only.
The parking garage is a one level structure under Peter Kirk Park. The park is raised slightly, perhaps 5-10 feet, with the garage is partially below grade. Below is the garage and a walkway running along the south side from Park Place to the transit center. is below the grade of the park, and the walkway is fronted on the north side by a string of shops which separate the walkway fron the garage. This provides a connection between Park Place and the downtown core.
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Parkplace is built out, downtown Lake street never sees the sun and stores stand empty because the traffic and parking issues were so pervasive, people quit coming. Kirkland streets are falling apart and the city can’t afford to develop a parking garage to over come the parking…And even if they could, the traffic problems will take millions to address and there are no more funding options. Kirkland Toyota is now well established in the area that has become Bothell because the city didn’t annex the PAA. Other Car delers moved here and a new Auto row is built. Kirkland parks are over grown and full of homeless and there is no staff to take care of the problem. Growth opportunities are stagnant…the only choice is the raise taxes, again, on the 50K residents. Meanwhile, Bothell flurishes. Having annexed the PAA they have seen tax revenue increase due to the maximization of the commercial zones and added revenue for the rapidly developing PAA area. Downtown is revitalized and a shopping center has gone in by 405 drawing shoppers out of the clogged streets of Kirkland. Housing prices in Kirkland fall amidst the pressures of increased taxes and reduced city services. Residents are moving to the new Kenmore on the lake where Condos don’t come with parking problems and hiddeous utility taxes.
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