What key transportation improvements can help attract reinvestment in Kirkland’s Totem Lake Business District? Would parks, open space, and other amenities help attract new development? Are there ways that city regulations can be reframed to draw desired redevelopment?

The City of Kirkland has enlisted the real estate investment and planning “think tank” – Urban Land Institute (ULI) – to review current city plans and strategies to help address these questions and to make recommendations on how to revitalize the district – particularly those properties south of Evergreen Hospital and Medical Center and the Totem Lake Malls.

ULI will present its recommendations at a public briefing to be held at 3 p.m. July 20 at Northwest University, 5520 108th Avenue N.E., Donald H. Argue Health and Sciences Center.

“The city is looking for practical advice on how to transform the Totem Lake Business District into a high density, mixed-use urban center,” notes Mayor Joan McBride. “ULI’s assessment will help us to sharpen our economic development tools and to focus our vision on the future of this vital area.”

In September 2010, the Kirkland City Council hosted a symposium where more than 40 participants from the financial, development and design professions shared ideas with local property and business owners on how to revitalize the Totem Lake Business District.

Following the symposium, the council approved a 2011-2012 Action Plan that addresses issues raised at the symposium such as stormwater improvements, amenity identification, and improvements to transportation capacity and circulation.

To learn more about the Totem Lake Action Plan, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/totemlakeaction or contact Ellen Miller-Wolfe, Economic Development manager, City of Kirkland at 425-587-3014 or emwolfe@kirklandwa.gov.