Capital Improvement Projects to impact downtown Kirkland
Improvements to include Library Services, Transit Operations, Sewer Capacity, Pedestrian and Vehicle Mobility
Kari Page, Neighborhood Services Coordinator for the City of Kirkland, sent this letter titled, “Downtown Kirkland is on the move | Fall 2008″ to downtown property and business owners. I received a copy of it from the Downtown Advisory Committee, upon which I have the good fortune of serving as a representative of the Norkirk neighborhood. With Kari’s permission, the letter is posted here.
Dear Downtown Kirkland Property/Business Owner,
As a property/business owner in downtown Kirkland, we’d like you to know about several capital improvement projects that will be constructed in the coming years to improve library services, transit operations, sewer capacity, and pedestrian and vehicle mobility. Beginning November 17, an outreach team from the City of Kirkland, Sound Transit, and King County Wastewater Division will be personally contacting downtown businesses most impacted by the following projects:
Kirkland Library Expansion: Building plans have now been submitted to expand the Kirkland Library by nearly 4,000 square feet, and permits are expected to be issued within the next two months. Construction is expected to be completed approximately one year after it begins. During that time, temporary library services will be available at Parkplace Books. Due to the construction activities, the top surface level parking of the Peter Kirk Municipal Garage will be closed. The two lower levels of parking will continue to be open to the public.
Kirkland Avenue/3rd Street Traffic Signal: In the coming month, the City expects to award a construction contract for a traffic signal at the intersection of 3rd Street and Kirkland Avenue. This signal which is funded by Sound Transit, will improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety. Construction is anticipated to begin in February 2009 and be completed within 30 working days. In addition to the new signal, the project includes curb and gutter, sidewalk, pedestrian crossings, and pavement markers.
Transit Center Redevelopment: To improve Sound Transit and King County Metro transit services, Sound Transit is building a new transit center on 3rd Street between Kirkland Avenue and Central Way. Between fall 2009 and December 2010, widened sidewalks, transit shelters, landscaping, enhanced pedestrian crossings, and an entirely new roadway will be constructed along 3rd Street. Prior to installation of these new transit amenities, all new utilities including sewer, storm, water, and electrical/communication systems will be constructed under the new transit center. As part of this project, transit operations will be relocated to Central Way and 6th Street for approximately one year. Traffic impacts include Park Lane (Main Street to 3rd Street) being closed through construction and only northbound traffic being allowed on 3rd Street between Kirkland Avenue and Central Way.
Kirkland Pump Station & Sewer Upgrade: The King County Wastewater Treatment Division is upgrading its 40-year old pump station at the corner of 3rd Street at Park Lane. These upgrades will increase capacity, ensure safe and reliable operations and to meet current seismic, noise, and odor control standards. The upgrade also includes the construction of a new pipeline along Kirkland Avenue to the railroad right-of-way near 8th Street. These construction activities will begin in the fall of 2010 (around the completion of the new Kirkland Transit Center) with scheduled completion in late 2012. Park Lane (Main Street to 3rd Street) will remain closed during this construction period.
The agencies responsible for these separate, yet coupled, projects are committed to coordinating construction efforts to minimize impacts to your business operations and your customers. They also pledge to keep you informed about progress and construction activities before, during, and after the projects’ completion.
We imagine you have many questions and concerns about these projects being constructed and hope that you will make yourself available when a team member contacts you. It will be an opportunity for you to inform the team about your business operations so that planning, design and construction efforts will minimize impacts to the extent possible. Please contact me if I may be of any assistance.
Sincerely,
Kari Page, Neighborhood Services Coordinator
City of Kirkland
425-587-3011 kpage@ci.kirkland.wa.us
You may download the original letter in PDF format here.
Posted by Rob Butcher on Monday, November 17, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Filed under Transportation · Tagged with Capital Improvements, Documents, Downtown, Government, King County, Library, Sound Transit
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3rd street is a primary north-south corridor in town. I travel from 520 to north 405 but when the freeway is blocked I take the scenic route through Kirkland or around the lake. Kirkland is a cute town and you have a lot going for it except you need more shops. On the weekends I walk our dog on the beaches. 405 should be widened because it is the main way to get n-s. I prefer driving along the the lake on my drive home.
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