Windermere Real Estate is Sponsoring a Free Shredding Event
Posts Tagged ‘Bellevue’
Windermere Real Estate Sponsors A Free Shredding Event This Weekend
In Bellevue, Kirkland WA on June 9, 2011 at 10:00 pmThe Final News on The Seattle-Eastside BNSF Rail Line?-Maybe
In Bellevue, King County, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, rails to trails, Redmond, WA on December 9, 2009 at 12:01 pmIn the past I’ve written a lot about the BNSF rail line. You know the rail line that handled the Dinner Train through the eastside and Kirkland for many years, but I haven’t been writing much about it lately. Mostly because the situation seems to change on a weekly (daily?) basis and still nothing is written in stone as of yet.
But recently, there have been new plans brewing all over the eastside, not just Kirkland, but also in Redmond and Bellevue.
BNSF rail line
Some of these plans for the Eastside BNSF rail line may actually happen if the sale of the line goes through this month.
According to Keith Ervin from The Seattle Times, here are some possible deals:
• The Metropolitan King County Council is reviewing a request by Executive Dow Constantine for $26.5 million to buy most of the corridor south of Woodinville.
• The Cascade Water Alliance is negotiating to buy an easement, possibly for around $8 million, that would eventually allow it to bring water from Lake Tapps to homes in Bellevue, Kirkland and other Eastside cities, alliance spokeswoman Elaine Kraft said Monday.
• Puget Sound Energy wants to obtain permanent easements for more than 180 existing crossings of the rail corridor by natural-gas and electric lines and for future easements, said Sue McLain, the company’s vice president of operations. She declined to discuss the price.
• Sound Transit is considering buying rights to use parts of the old rail line in Bellevue for its Eastside light-rail extension and the right to operate commuter trains on a longer segment sometime in the future, spokesman Geoff Patrick said.
So where is Kirkland and The Kirkland Highlands in all of this? Most critical is Metroplitan King County Council’s plan to buy most of the corridor south of Woodinville, which includes Kirkland. Dow Constantine has gone on record with his support of the trail for recreational use:
County Executive-elect Dow Constantine said the agreement will fulfill a promise to the region that the Eastside Rail Corridor will receive long-term protection from development and that it will be made available for recreational uses.
“By keeping this key transportation and recreational corridor in public ownership, we are making a major commitment to our shared future in King County,” Constantine said.
Does this mean the line will only be a trail and not used for transportation? The jury is still out on this one, but keeping the line in public hands is more of a guarantee the line will be used for a trail than if it gets into the hands of private concerns. Although many studies have been conducted in the past that question the viability and cost of the line for effective transportation, I expect continuing studies will be done.
“We brought together a great consortium of partners to bring the BNSF corridor into public ownership for perpetuity,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “Securing this right-of-way is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the public to own a continuous transportation and recreation corridor between some of the region’s fastest growing cities and paralleling congested I-405.”
Interim trail use (“railbanking”) will be established on the Southern Portion and the
Redmond Spur under the National Trails Systems Act, 16 U.S.C. 1247(d) as of the closing of the Port’s transaction with BNSF.
The southern portion of the rail line means Kirkland and Bellevue.
Who will pay for acquisition of the rail line?
The Executive proposes use of the voter approved Conservation Futures Levy to acquire the sections of corridor between Renton and Woodinville and the seven mile spur between Woodinville and Redmond with the exception of the section inside the City of Redmond. Partners in the historic deal will purchase easements on the property for transportation and utility use.
What are do you think of about the future of the BNSF rail line in Kirkland? How would you like to see it used?
It’s Volunteer Time at Seattle/Eastside’s Hopelink
In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, services on February 27, 2009 at 2:13 pmDid you hear President Obama speak the other night? I was impressed with the direction he plans to move the country. I like his emphasis on education, health, and energy, all areas which are critical to our country’s future growth. His mantra is community involvement and activism. I couldn’t agree more. We hope and expect government to help improve the quality of our lives, but we as individuals must do our share to help. It’s up to us as citizens to contribute collectively to our well-being. On that note, here’s the information from the most recent Hopelink press release asking for volunteers the needs of the Kirkland/Eastside community.
Bellevue, Wash. – Hopelink, a 38-year-old nonprofit agency helping families, senior citizens and people with disabilities in east and north King County, needs more volunteers at its centers in Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, Shoreline, Bothell and Carnation.
Hopelink relies upon volunteers for such jobs as sorting food in its food banks, helping adults learn to read or do basic math or study for the GED exams, delivering food to homebound clients, or answering phones and helping with administrative tasks. Last year, more than 1,950 volunteers donated nearly 60,000 hours to help Hopelink fulfill its mission of assisting people in need to make lasting change in their lives.
With the large-scale National Letter Carrier’s Food Drive coming up on Saturday, May 9, Hopelink will particularly need volunteers to help pack, receive, and sort food donations at area post offices and Hopelink food banks. Individuals, families and groups are invited to help with the large volume of food that the drive is expected to generate.
Hopelink continues to need new volunteers over age 16 and welcomes anyone interested to an orientation meeting to learn more about Hopelink and its many volunteer opportunities:
· Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at Hopelink’s Adult Education Department office, 15015 Main Street, Suite 206 in Kelsey Creek Plaza (across from the main Hopelink center) in Bellevue. An afternoon orientation will start promptly at 1:00 p.m. and end at 2:30 p.m. An evening orientation will start promptly at 7:00 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m.
· Thursday, March 5, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at Hopelink’s Bothell center, 18220 96th Ave. NE in Bothell.
· Wednesday, March 11, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at Hopelink’s Carnation center, 31957 Commercial Street in Carnation.
For more information, go to www.hope-link.org/takeaction/volunteer. For information on how young people between middle school and high school age can help Hopelink, please visit http://youthlink.hope-link.org/ .
###
Since 1971, Hopelink has helped homeless and low income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities make lasting change in their lives. Hopelink promotes self-sufficiency by helping people meet their needs for food, shelter,
Sound Transit, Proposition 1, Trails, Rails, and Commuting Through Kirkland, Washington
In Bellevue, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, rails to trails, WA on October 2, 2008 at 2:38 pmThis past weekend, The Seattle Times came out against Sound Transit’s newest ballot proposal, prompting this post. At a recent Kirkland City Council’s meeting, the City Council came out in favor of the Sound Transit ballot initiative. Mayor Lauinger was the lone holdout who advocated for better bus service. Better transportation is critical for this area as it continues to grow. But better, means exactly that, not just any transportation system, but a better transportation system.
If you check out my post on my eastside blog, I’ve talked about some of the very basic reasons why the transit package is flawed. The Seattle Times, Ron Sims, and The Eastside Transportation Association are all against it. The light rail proposal is a plan for 15 years into the future, not a solution to today’s commuter problems. What will happen now and over the next decade if something more immediate and comprehensive is not done?
The package, besides its exorbitant costs for light rail and its lack of short-term solutions to today’s transportation problems, includes money for a demonstration train on the BNSF tracks. The train along the BNSF railroad line would be a diesel train, a diesel motor unit, that won’t minimize commuting times because it crosses 50+ intersections and travels by schools and neighborhoods at a “fast” 25-30 miles pace along older rails. (There’s a video on the Eastside Trail Advocates website which shows a 4 minute wait during the middle of the day at the Totem Lake crossing because of a train coming through the intersection.)
We all, including the city, need to become more “green” and look for ways to limit our carbon footprint, ways that are realistic and meaningful, not ways that sound as is they may work, but don’t accomplish the goal to improve our transportation.
Besides commuter rail along the BNSF line being a poor way to improve transportation, a commuter line will take away from the possibility of a fabulous world class trail for the City of Kirkland. This would be a trail people could use for commuting, biking, and walking. Ironically at the very same City Council meeting, several of the City Council Members talked about the Kirkland community’s emphasis on walking. The Active Living Task Force is a huge promotor of walking in the community. This is their mission statement:
“The Active Living Task Force (ALTF), created in 2007, is comprised of residents, community agencies, local businesses, and City representatives.
Our Vision is for community design, services and programs to enhance our quality of life by making it safe, enjoyable and easy for everyone to be physically active in their daily lives.
Our mission is to advise Kirkland policy makers, advocate and provide support for local strategies aimed at promoting community-enriched physical activity as an integral part of everyone’s (including the disabled) daily life.”
It would be great if the City Council would pay attention to the goals of the Active Living Task Force. One of the city’s goals, according to a comment made by Council Member Jessica Greenway, is to connect all of Kirkland parks by trail. The BNSF line is the answer.
A similar discussion has been happening in Bellevue. That city has also been wrestling with support of the Sound Transit package. The Seattle Times had an article discussing the opposing viewpoints. Bellevue’s Mayor Grant Denniger is for the proposal and Eastside Transportation Association (ETA) backed by Bellevue developer Kemper Freeman, is not. Dick Paylor of ETA was quoted in the Times article as saying: “There’s much better choices than what we have been given.” The group supports ride sharing, road improvements, and a better bus service through $1 billion dollar investment for bus stations. The bus system would be ready far sooner than a rail line, which is supposed to take 15 years and far more more money.
On many levels the transit package is flawed. One level affects everyone. There will be a huge tax increase for a long term solution that may not solve our transportation problems. I’m not against taxes, that’s so far from my thinking. If taxes are raised to pay for services, teachers, police and fire departments, health care, and realistic programs, I’ll be first in line. But I’m last in line for raising taxes for a program that makes no sense.
Another is our immediate transit needs are not being effectively met, and lastly, on a local Kirkland level, we could end up with a commuter line that disrupts Kirkland’s traffic, routes for walking to schools, separates neighborhoods, and costs us the opportunity for a world class walking/biking/commuting trail.
Still not sure what to think or how to vote? There’s an open house this weekend at Bellevue City Hall.
What’s your opinion?
Seattle’s Seafair Marathon Was In The Kirkland Highlands
In Bellevue, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA on June 30, 2008 at 9:59 pm
A world class marathon, The Seafair Marathon, took place this past Sunday on Seattle’s Eastside. For the first time ever, the route ran through the Kirkland Highlands and down through Bellevue to the finish line at the Bellevue Downtown Park. In a previous post, I mentioned I was volunteering, as part of The Kirkland Senior Council
to help monitor driveways that crossed the race course. I wan’t able to watch the race from The Highlands for that reason, but got to see the accoutrements of a marathon in place in The Highlands before I had to show up at my volunteer post along Lake Washington Boulevard. When I pulled out of my street onto 112th, orange cones lined the way. A port-o-potty was there along with tables for a water station. (By the way, I posted a post about the marathon last week and referenced a map which labeled the route through the Highlands as going along 116th when, in fact, it was along 112th. Sorry for the error, but I was quoting from the information on the map.)
I posted an article on my eastside blog about the marathon. I have photos of the winners as they came by mile 22. It was exciting to see some strength, stamina, humor, and good will among all who participated. I’m glad I had the opportunity to volunteer and cheer the runners on to the finish line.
Congratulations to all who participated as a runner, volunteer or paid staffer.
The Seafair Marathon is Coming to The Kirkland Highlands
In Bellevue, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA on June 27, 2008 at 8:57 pmThe Seafair Marathon is coming to The KIrkland Highlands this Sunday, June 29th. The Seafair marathon is coming to the Eastside with 9 miles of the run along the lake. The race starts at Husky Stadium and will run into Bellevue as far south as Enatai up through Bridle Trails and Rose Hill, crossing into the Highlands at the overpass at NE 100th ST, down 116th in The Kirkland Highlands and ending in downtown Bellevue at the Bellevue downtown park. When the runners come into Kirkland’s Highlands, they will be at mile 18-19. If you look at the link for the official site above, you can check out the route on the map provided. The race starts at 7 AM on Sunday morning and we should expect to see runners in Kirkland before 9 AM.
World class runners will be present and it should be pretty exciting to have an important world class marathon running through the neighborhood. Give a special cheer to the Team in Training members, those runners in purple T-shirts,who are running to raise money for blood borne cancers and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I participated in a 1/2 marathon for Team in Training in Alaska a few years back and it was a wonderful experience.
I’m volunteering along Lake Washington Boulevard with other members of the Kirkland Senior Council to be a course marshal, making sure any issues affecting the runners are attended to. I’ll be between mile 22 and mile 23, so it ought to be pretty exciting to see some of the top runners coming on by. I’ll take some photos and post them on this blog.
From My Inbox: The Port of Seattle Meetings on The Eastside Rail Corridor
In Bellevue, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, rails to trails on June 24, 2008 at 5:06 pmThis from Gerry Poor of the Port of Seattle:
The Port of Seattle is hosting a series of upcoming Eastside Rail Corridor Informational Open Houses. The public is invited to learn more about the purchase and sale agreement, the transaction timeline and plans for public involvement. For information regarding the Eastside Rail Corridor, visit The Port of Seattle website.
Here is a list of meeting places and times which :
-June 25th in Bellevue 7-9:00 PM
Newport High School
4333 Factoria Blvd.
Bellevue, WA
-July 9th in Kirkland at Kirkland City Hall in the Peter Kirk room (lower level) 7- 9:00 PM
123 Fifth Ave
Kirkland, WA
-July 10th in Renton at Kennydale Elementary 7-9:00 PM
School Cafeteria
1700 NE 28th St.
Renton, WA
A Wonderful, Sunny Father’s Day On Lake Washington In Kirkland, WA
In Bellevue, Exploring Kirkland, Kirkland WA, WA on June 16, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Not only is it sunny in Seattle, but now it’s photography season for me. I’ve started doing my “summer outdoor” run all over the area. It’s great to be outside and Seattle and Seattle’s Eastside cities are the perfect summer places.
On Father’s Day, I jumped back on the MV Kirkland with my husband and Dad and took the afternoon Lake Washington cruise from the Kirkland docks. You get great views of the Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island, and Seattle lakefront. The tour is usually narrated by one of the Argosy Cruise staff. This week’s trip incorporated a bit more of the history of Kirkland. There are always some little known facts revealed that make this an interesting tour. If you buy a captains’ pass from Argosy Cruises, it allows you to take as many trips as you want for a year. It ends up being an inexpensive way to get on the water, relax and enjoy the sun. A great to have some fun on the water without having to own the boat!
The Montlake Cut was hopping with boats coming in and out of Lake Washington.
Where’s Fonzie? Shades of "Happy Days", Dining in Your Car at a Kirkland/Bellevue Hotspot
In Bellevue, Dining in Kirkland, Exploring Kirkland on May 20, 2008 at 6:04 amThe Mercedes, Jags, and Porsches are all lined up at noon for lunch and a chance to experience a little bit of the past, youth, and burgers. The SUV’s and the vans are all here.
It’s all at Burgermaster, a 60′s icon on the Kirkland/Bellevue line located at 10606 Northup Way. The drive-in dining experience has been happening in this spot for years. No roller skating waitstaff here, but dining in the car with a tray hooked to your car window!
The food is good, the crowds are here and it’s fun! Burgers are the stars, but you can also have a crab and cheese melt, satisfy your vegetarian needs with veggie burgers and the best onion rings in town.
How Safe Will It Be For Kids To Cross the Railroad Tracks to Go to School in Kirkland, Washington?
In Bellevue, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, rails to trails, WA on May 4, 2008 at 1:28 pmPicture a commuter train whizzing by in Kirkland during the morning commute on its way to Bellevue. The tracks completely separate the Kirkland Highlands neighborhood from Peter Kirk Elementary School and Kirkland Junior High. There’s no other way to walk to school and Peter Kirk is a “walking” school. Picture kids crossing the tracks to visit friends after school hours when there’s no supervision at the crossing.
The following videos show school children crossing the railroad tracks on the way to school from the Kirkland Highlands neighborhood. The entire neighborhood of over 600 homes is separated by the railroad tracks from the school. The kids cross over 110th Ave NE and the railroad tracks behind Peter Kirk Elementary to get to school. As you can see, the kids are walking and running to school.
The crossing guard raised her concern about kids walking down the tracks to get to school in the morning. Someone can come to educate the kids about railroad safety, but having worked with middle school kids for 13 years in the past, I’m familiar with typical teen and “kid” behavior. Kids won’t remember what someone told them three months ago about not walking on the railroad tracks. Walking on the tracks is more of a problem when kids go from neighborhood to neighborhood to see their friends or walk to downtown Kirkland, not just to school. There are no crossing guards watching over them at those times.
From the Highlands neighborhood, kids also cross over the railroad tracks in Cotton Hill Park, a few blocks north, to get to Kirkland Junior High. That crossing is far more concerning because young teens tend to be busy multi-tasking as they walk to school. Picture typical teen behavior and you see teens talking to friends, talking on cell phones, running, and listening to IPods. You do not picture kids paying attention as well as they should to their surroundings. How many teens do you know who think they are invincible and will try to tempt fate by running in front of a train as they are rushing late to school?
If a fence is erected to stop people from walking down the tracks, kids will be cut off from their friends. Walking paths will be cut off to schools. Neighborhoods will be cut off from each other. Not only is the rail line as a commuter line a safety hazard, it will hurt the fabric of the community.
Kirkland Highlands Real Estate Buzz
