Kirkland sustainability survey available online
The city is encouraging Kirkland residents and business owners to participate in an online survey to assess the sustainability of the local economy.
Information collected during the assessment will be used to develop an economic sustainability strategy that focuses on development of a “robust, resilient, environmentally sound and diverse Kirkland economy,” according to a city news release.
This will be the first assessment of its kind to be completed in the Puget Sound region.
The survey is available on the city’s Web site at www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/Business/sustainability, at Kirkland City Hall and by calling (425) 587-3001. Responses are encouraged by May 19.
The resident survey seeks to identify where residents shop; what products and services are currently obtained outside Kirkland; what types of businesses or services residents would like to have available in the city; and what types of environmentally sound products, services or practices should be available or practiced in Kirkland.
“Survey results will provide the foundation for an economic sustainability strategy that attracts environmentally sound businesses that are desired by residents and complement existing businesses,” Ellen Miller-Wolfe, the city’s economic development manager, said in a release. “Feedback from residents and businesses will set a course for a sustainable economic future for the City of Kirkland.”
Fifth Parkplace open house is May 12
Touchstone Corporation, the development firm behind the proposed redesign of Parkplace, will host its fifth open house to discuss project plans from 6-8 p.m. Monday, May 12, at the Kirkland Performance Center.
The meeting will focus on the use of public art and open space in the redevelopment.
Touchstone is encouraging all those interested in the project to bring images of their favorite art installations and public space areas — in Kirkland or other cities around the world — as a way to generate a discussion on what should be included in the redesign.
BNSF trail advocates hosting discussion
The Eastside Trail Advocates, a local group that backs the “trail” option for the BNSF rail corridor that runs from Renton to Snohomish through Kirkland, will host a meeting to review the issue at 7:30 p.m. May 8 at the Houghton Fire Station.
The group “envisions two recreational uses of the BNSF corridor: a pedestrian walking and jogging trail which would also accommodate children, pets and slow-moving bicycles; and a second paved trail for faster moving bicycles,” according to its Web site at http://www.eastsidetrailadvocates.org/home.
King County and the Port of Seattle are currently in the process of purchasing the corridor from BNSF. Possible plans for the railway include uses as pedestrian- and bicycle-specific trail, a commuter rail line or a combination of both.
