Kirkland Library Meeting Room
John Alberti called the meeting to order and provided agendas and copies of the minutes
from our last meeting.
David Allen,
Kirkland's Pedestrian/Bike/Transit Coordinator was our first guest. Dave
gave an overview of projects he is involved in. Safe School Walk routes
is a pedestrian issue facing our children. The city studied a half mile radius
around each of the seven Kirkland elementary schools for availability of
sidewalks. Lakeview Elementary scored well with 91% of the routes
having sidewalks, while Peter Kirk and Rose Hill schools had much lower scores
of 58%. The goal of the city is to build the "missing links".
The city has also created a sidewalk task force to deal with sidewalks that
are not on school routes.
Dave mentioned
that the city has created a Bike and Pedestrian "Sounding Board"
that is available on the city's web site.
King County Metro
car pool now has online matching of commuters who want to share rides at http://www.rideshareonline.com/
In addition the county has created a flexcar program, in which a person can
join for a fee and then have access to cars that are available for an hourly
fee located in downtown areas. For more info on flexcar and other
Kirkland transportation initiatives visit the city's web site at: http://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/depart/pw/gettin.htm
Bob Wicks spoke
next on athletic events planned for the Taste of Kirkland, Sept 14 and
15. There will be new triathlon, a half marathon, and also a 5K
run/walk. Bob thinks that with our natural setting for such events, they
could become national champion caliber within a few years. It was
proposed that we vote our approval of this event and it was approved by a
unanimous vote.
Keith Maehlum of
West Water Real Estate Services presented a preliminary proposal to develop
their property at the corner of State Street and Kirkland Avenue. The
property is currently occupied by a former car dealership building at 75 State
and a bicycle shop on Kirkland Ave. Part of this property is also
on a list of possible sites for the new Metro Transit Center. West
Water's proposal is for a 5 story retail / apartment project, with about 80
units. Keith also mentioned that the turn lane may be closed that cuts
behind the triangle where the "Mountain Comrades" sculpture is
located, as well as 1rst Ave. S. adjacent to the West Water property.
West Water is working with a committee formed of representatives of the Moss
Bay Neighborhood Association, Portsmith Condominiums, St. John's Episcopal
Church and West Water to help guide the project. Ellen McMahon
mentioned that she felt that the proposal was a strategic move on the part of
West Water to be promoting this project at this time. There will be
public meetings on the project and a direct mailing to closeby
residents. Janice King advised that any resident who was interested in
this project should file to be a "concerned party" when the public
notice of the project was issued.
John Alberti told
us that he is moving to Snohomish County and will no longer be able to serve
as co chair of the Moss Bay Neighborhood Association. Laura Lee Pritt is
also nearing the end of her term, so the group will need new people to step
forward to take the reins. Glenn Peterson agreed to help John in looking
for new people.
Ellen McMahon
said that the Neighborhood Connections program would be able to fund a $25,000
project in our neighborhood, and that we should be working on proposals for
that.
Meeting
Minutes Index | Moss
Bay Home