Meeting Notes - August 8, 2001

Moss Bay Neighborhood Association
Meeting Minutes August 8, 2001
Kirkland Library Meeting Room


Laura Lee Pritt called the meeting to order.


Our first speaker was Keith Maehlum of West Water Real Estate Services.  Keith presented a preliminary proposal from West Water 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.  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 would like to see 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.


Erin Leonhart, Water Conservation specialist for the Kirkland Public Works department was the next to speak.  Erin suggested ways of saving water in our homes, including timers and dye to detect leaking toilets.  Erin mentioned that the water already voluntarily saved has helped and that we shouldn't have any shortages unless conditions are extremely dry in Aug and September.  A program to conserve water would help our city in that we wouldn't have to buy as much water from the city of Seattle.  A source of water for Eastside cities is being investigated with a possibility being Lake Tapps.


John Gilday, who is working with Max Gurvich, the owner of the former Pace Chemical Building, was next.  John is working to clean up the property and get it ready to lease out to a new tenant.  Our association has been working with him to help mitigate negative impacts the reopening of this building could have on our neighborhood.  John has suggested a number of steps to try to help.  First, he is suggesting the placement of a wall and posts in front of the north loading dock that would prevent large trucks from entering the dock from 7th Ave S, while the opening up and possibly improving loading docks on the east side of the building.  He is also investigating the possible installation of the traffic diversion lanes, curbing and signage as proposed in a previous proposal for the development of the property. A detail drawing of this diversion plan can be seen on our Pace Page.  In addition, a sign may be placed at State Street and 7th Ave S warning "No right turn for trucks and no warehouse district".  John is looking into changing the address of the building from 7th Ave S to 5th Place S.  Finally, the parking may be reconfigured so that is is accessed from 5th Pl S, rather than 7th Ave S.   The building has now been secured and surveillance cameras set up.  There are three possible tenants being considered for the building.  John has a web site set up dealing with the Pace Building that can be seen at http://www.waterfund.org/Pace.htm.


Our Co-Chair, Laura Lee Pritt, reported on several issues.  The crosswalk and speed hump on the eastern part of 7th Ave S has been installed.  Laura Lee mentioned that the Kirkland Arts Center will be presenting the Kirkland Neighborhoods Exhibit starting October 12 and running through November 15 -- open to any and all aspiring and practicing artists working in any medium and living in Kirkland.  Show your work in the Kirkland Arts Center Skylight Room!!  Neighborhood groups are welcome to nominate artists from their groups, or to notify individuals.  


Our neighborhood picnic is planned for Sunday, September 16 at Peter Kirk Park, adjacent to the new Teen Center.  There will be entertainment and we will be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers this year.


Laura Lee contacted Michael Cogle of the Kirkland Parks Dept concerning the possibility of installing a rest room at Brink Park.  Michael told her that it is unlikely this will happen due to the expense and problems associated with installing these.  The city has been cutting back on plans to build rest rooms in parks.


Laura Lee also enquired into placement of a garbage can on the dock at Brink Park, as a lot of litter has been seen there during hot summer days.  It might be a good idea for our association to "adopt" Brink Park with the idea of keeping it clean and free of litter.


The Moss Bay Neighborhood will be the focus of a traffic study done by the city.  This appears to be at least one year away, but we should be ready get involved in order to have some input into future plans for our neighborhood streets.  The proposed narrowing of Central Way will be planned for the stretch between Market Street and 3rd Street, with the eastbound side also narrowed as far as the entrance to Park Place.


Our next meeting will be on Thursday, October 11, 7-8:45 at the Kirkland Library Meeting Room.