Parkplace opposition

Should we let a developer threaten us into building an extreme project? That’s what seems to have happened with Parkplace.

On Nov. 13, the Planning Commission selected the lesser of two evils by rubber stamping Touchstone’s 1.8 million square foot Parkplace proposal with multiple eight-story, 115-foot tall buildings. They even said it will have many adverse effects on our city.

Developer Doug Howe’s Nov. 3 letter to the city says it all. In it he says “there is no middle ground.” The only compromise, in his eyes, would be to take advantage of an oversight in our city zoning and build a five-story office-only project. He’s holding the city hostage, offering sales tax revenue if we pay the ransom with our city skyline and comprehensive plan.

It’s time to expose Touchtone’s alternative for what it really is —- a threat. The ball now lies with City Council. It’s time for compromise on Parkplace.

Cami Keyes, Kirkland

At the Kirkland Planning Commission’s Public Hearing on Oct. 23 regarding Touchstone Corporation’s Comprehensive Plan variance request for Parkplace, Touchstone pleaded with the Planning Commission to allow for the eight-story height variance because the project would become a panacea for all of Kirkland’s shopping needs, including the ability to shop for “socks, shoes, underwear, nails , drill bits, hammers and toilet seats.”

Touchstone’s plan for the property is for upscale retail that will pay upscale rent. Only the highest priced fashion socks and underwear will be available, and standard retail hardware proprietors will not be able to afford high priced rents to sell nails, hammers, drill bits and toilet seats.

All the impressive architectural renderings showing sparkling water fountains, massive artwork and beautiful promenades are not guaranteed, and promises for a new, affordable health club or a new state-of-the-art movie theatre are not a given.

Let’s not be lulled into thinking that Touchstone has our best interests at heart. The developer wants to maximize their return on investment at Parkplace and making underwear and toilet seats available to the citizens of Kirkland does not fit with their plans.

Dave Garland, Kirkland