Project News

Meeting Reports/History

Thursday, June 26, 2008 — A public hearing was held tonight on the various Kirkland Parkplace re-development options proposed by Touchstone (8-story mixed-use and 5-story office alternative plans) and the Planning Commission (11-story mixed-use plan). Some 35 local stakeholders attended to express their opinions on the plans to the Planning Commission. Of those speakers, 23 spoke in favor of the 8-story mixed-use plan, 10 were against all the redevelopment options and two believed the 5-story office alternative was the best course of action. Over the next three months, the Planning Commission will hold several Study Sessions at City Hall (more information here) before making its recommendation to the City Council in mid October on a preferred alternative for Touchstone's Private Amendment Request. A complete list of upcoming public meetings is available on this Web site's "The Process" page.

Thursday, June 12, 2008 — The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the Touchstone proposal. Of the 34 people who spoke, nine were against the proposal and 25 in support—nearly a 3:1 ratio—sending a strong positive message to the Planning Commission and City Council. The room filled well before 7:00 p.m. and spilled into the lobby of City Hall. Many people did not have an opportunity to speak, and the hearing has been extended to Thursday, June 26. If you couldn’t make it on the 12^th or did not have the opportunity to speak, it would be great to hear from you on the 26^th. If you signed up but were sent home due to lack of time, you will be at the front of the list on the 26^th.

Thursday, May 29, 2008 — The Planning commission met to discuss Touchstone's Private Amendment Request. View information on that meeting.

Press

Debate is good, but so is conclusion
Kirkland Courier Reporter – Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Speaking to Green Car Company founder and co-owner Susan Fahnestock by phone last week about her decision to move from Kirkland to Bellevue

Parklace: 11 Stories Possible?
Kirkland Courier Reporter – Wednesday, June 18, 2008
City's Planning Commission Floats Third Plan for Development

Citizens group making stand against Parkplace plan
Kirkland Courier Reporter – Wednesday, May 28, 2008
A citizens' group apposed to the preferred Parkplace redevelopment option has

Parkplace, picnics pondered at Neighborhood Meeting
Kirkland Courier Reporter – Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Zero Waste picnics, a city sustainable business survey and Parkplace redevelopment were all on the agenda

Council decision could land city in court
Kirkland Courier Reporter – Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The futures of both a planned downtown redevelopment and a key city board were put in doubt last week when the City Council voted to support an appeal of the project.

Parkplace will change, but you have a say
Kirkland Courier Reporter – Wednesday, May 07, 2008
It’s time to face the facts -- development of parkplace is going to happen whether you're for or against the project.

Googling Kirkland
Seattle Times – Tuesday, May 06, 2008
The last time 1,000 people worked at one company in Houghton, they were building minesweepers at a shipyard along Lake Washington.

Sad Predictions for City of Kirkland
Kent Reporter – Wednesday, April 23, 2008
The Design Review Board will continue to rubber stamp developments, allow for more

Have your say on Parkplace
Kirkland Courier Reporter – Wednesday, April 23, 2008
What’s the difference between a five-story and an eight-story building?

Developers agree green building finally becomes financially sustainable
Puget Sound Business Journal – Friday, April 18, 2008
Among developers, a significant paradigm shift is taking place. Just a decade ago, when government and environmental groups starting promoting "Building Green" and encouraging