Meeting Notes - May 7, 2007

Heritage Hall 
Moss Bay Co-Chair Mark Eliasen called the meeting to order. We had a great turnout with over 80 people in attendance. 

Penny Sweet, from Celebrate Kirkland, was our first guest and told us about this year's Firecracker 4th of July. There will be a parade, fireworks and much more. Penny urged Moss Bay to enter a float in the parade. Contributions and volunteers are needed as well. For more information, call 425-822-0284, visit their web site at http://www.celebratekirkland.org or email Penny at [email protected] 

Douglas Howe, President, Touchstone Corporation, and Arlan Collins, Principal of CollinsWoerman Architects were next with their the Park Place redevelopment proposal. Park Place is 25 years old and does not have a strong sense of place. A new proposed center will have more office space and double the retail of the present complex. There would be one or two small hotels, new areas for restaurants, an enhanced 75,000 sq. ft. sports club, and some residential space. Parking would be greatly increased with 3,300 spaces underground -- up from approx. 700 now. The office buildings will encourage more jobs in Kirkland, which will create a reverse commute.

Pedestrian access would be improved and will tie into Peter Kirk, so that Park Place feels like an extension of the park. The development will stair step up from the park with lower buildings facing the park and the tallest buildings, about 6-8 stories, along 6th street. The theater is still a question mark, but there will be entertainment of some type. No net loss of park land will be proposed.
The development will occur in 2 or 3 phases, allowing many of the retail shops to stay open during the construction. Phase 1 will be begin in mid 2008 and be completed by the end of 2009, and Phase 2 will be completed in 2010.

Eric Campbell, President, CamWest Development Inc. was on hand to give us the final proposal for the the Nettleton project (Green Funeral Home). The project will consist of 26 single family homes on the 3 acre site -- a density lower than zoning would allow.  The houses will have small yards but the development will have open space. An interior road will allow the houses to face outward without big garages facing State Street. The style will be Arts & Craft and English Tudor, ranging in size from 2,000 to 2,600 sq ft.

The historic Nettleton house will be renovated into a home of approximately 3,500 sq ft and will sit on the southwest corner of the project, set back about 50 feet from State St. 
Eric mentioned that there was some environmental cleanup necessary on the grounds and that nine more months of testing will be required before the start of construction. Plans for the project are presently being submitted to the City.
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Our next meeting will be with the Kirkland City Council on May 21, 2007 at Heritage Hall.