Totem Lake will be expanding and developing via construction on Totem Lake Boulevard Northeast and several new commercial and residential openings in the second quarter of this year.
The construction on Totem Lake Boulevard Northeast, in concordance with the work to bring the Totem Lake Connector bridge into reality, began Feb. 9, with the road now limited to one lane each way near Northeast 124th Street. All lanes will be closed on Feb. 17 and the slip lane will be closed through late April.
Northshore Utility District is working at the intersection to increase the area’s sewage system capacity by relocating a sewer main to “prevent a conflict with Totem Lake Connector’s future alignment,” according to the city’s website.
The goal of these projects, according to the city, is to create new solutions for navigation of the city’s urban center. According to the city, 80 percent of the more than 500 transportation-related suggestions it has received through its Suggest a Capital Improvement Project feature online are for “projects that would protect residents from cars, such as sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes and traffic calming devices.”
According to a press release, the project is “the second in a series of projects — spanning February and May — that will create traffic delays in the short term, but that will allow Totem Lake to continue redeveloping into the walkable, vibrant and green urban center Kirkland’s leaders envisioned more than two years ago.”
Additionally, eight new businesses and a new apartment complex are set to open between April and June, with two more complexes slated for mid and late 2020.
The Village at Totem Lake announced Feb. 12 the additions of stores Salt & Straw, Lululemon, Athleta, Evereve and Urban Tread — which will all open in the same time period as the previously announced Cinemark, Sephora and Galos Flame Grilled Chicken.
“Our merchant mix continues to grow right along with the booming Eastside economy and we are carefully curating tenants to include national retailers as well as regional and local businesses,” Paul Brett, general manager of CenterCal Properties, which owns and operates The Village, said in a press release. “With the apartments now leasing, residents can literally step out of their front door to go grocery shopping, enjoy spa services, shop at premium retailers, pick up a treat for their pet, grab a bite, and soon, catch a movie.”
Aura Totem Lake, which is now leasing, has 202 total units. The other two complexes will open with a combined 650 units total. Units available range from studios to two bedrooms and the development does not include plans for any affordable housing units.
The city of Kirkland is anticipating growth over the next decade plus and there are already plans for the Totem Lake area for an addition of 2,500 homes by 2035 and more than half of those homes are already under construction or are under review.
The slip lane from Totem Lake Boulevard to Northeast 124th Street will be closed all hours through April 25, and Northeast 124th Street will be closed overnight in late February. Mitchell Atencio/staff photo
A construction truck at the intersection of Totem Lake Boulevard and Northeast 124th Street on Feb. 10. Mitchell Atencio/staff photo
