Stream restoration becomes a showpiece
September 23, 2008
The relocated and enhanced stream channel of Many Springs Creek that empties into Laughing Jacobs Creek, and ultimately Lake Sammamish, has been moved away from Southeast 43rd Way near East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast. By Jon Savellw
It can’t be seen from the street, but the presence of earthmoving equipment near Southeast 43rd Way is a clear hint that something big is happening in the trees on the south side.
That something is a large wetland and stream restoration project, part of The Dwelling Co.’s Mallard Bay development that also includes a complex of townhouses going up on the other side of Southeast 43rd Way.
The Planning Department recently announced completion of some major milestones for the restoration, including the rerouting of Many Springs Creek, elimination of an access road and parking, and demolition of abandoned buildings on the site. The property occupies the southeast corner where Southeast 43rd Way connects to East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast.
Planners have two goals for the restoration. One is to provide high quality wildlife habitat on the northern edge of the city. The other is to moderate seasonal flooding along Southeast 43rd Way.
City named top retirement spot
September 23, 2008
U.S. News & World Report ranks other cities
Issaquah has landed in the national spotlight with a US News and World Report article naming the city as one of the top retirement destinations in the country.
The article, written by Hillary Quinn, is in the Sept. 18 issue of the magazine.
Issaquah was depicted as a “gem of a city,” and the Issaquah Highlands as an ideal urban village. Quinn was clearly smitten by the natural beauty.
“Just as compelling as the network of meandering paths and child-safe streets of the Highlands is the beauty of surrounding Tiger, Cougar, and Squak mountains, in which Issaquah is nestled,” she wrote. “The elaborate trail system connects to this trio, enabling active residents to walk out their front door and find themselves in a permanently preserved forest in a matter of minutes.”
Water rates jump 15 percent
September 23, 2008
It’s a catch-22 for the city’s water users: If you use less, your bills will be lower — but that means city revenues will be lower, so officials will have to raise your rates.
Now, the city has done exactly that. Agenda Bill 5882, approved by the City Council on Sept. 15, calls for a 15 percent rate increase.
“Fifteen percent is not a low increase in anybody’s mind,” said Councilman John Traeger. “This was not a fun discussion. A lot of things were out of our control.”
One big item was a $2.2 million outlay for replacement of the Cougar Ridge reservoir, rather than the expected $200,000 for repair, said Sheldon Lynne, deputy director of Public Works Engineering.
I-90 interchanges to see major changes
September 23, 2008
The I-90 Corridor Study, an ongoing effort by the state Department of Transportation to find solutions to congestion and safety problems between Bellevue and North Bend, is
Council begins work on Park Pointe land deal
September 23, 2008
Tiger Mountain land west of Issaquah High School would have become Park Pointe housing. File photo.
With the announcement last week that the Park Pointe land on Tiger Mountain could be saved from development through a complicated three-way deal involving the city, seller First Wellington LLC and buyer Port Blakely Communities, the focus now shifts to making the deal work.
The first steps toward that goal were taken Sept. 22 by the Major Development Ad Hoc Committee, a part of the City Council formed to tackle the Park Pointe deal. On the committee are Council Read more
EFR okays hiring freeze
September 23, 2008
Facing grim budget projections from its member cities, the Eastside Fire & Rescue board narrowly approved a hiring freeze during its Sept. 9 meeting.
The board is working to develop next year’s Read more
Final Southeast Bypass document arrives
September 23, 2008
A draft of the very last document for the long-proposed, oft-opposed Southeast Bypass is finally in hand.
In a surprise development that caught the City Council off guard, Mayor Ava Frisinger announced at the Sept. 15 council meeting that the Federal Highway Administration had submitted its record of decision for review.
The document follows the council’s decision in January to endorse the “no build” option for the road, which would have cut across the lower slopes of Tiger Mountain between Interstate 90 and Issaquah-Hobart Road.
FISH gets $2,600 grant from Puget Sound Energy
September 23, 2008
Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery recently received $2,600 from the Puget Sound Energy Foundation to support the nonprofit organization’s education and volunteer programs.
Puget Sound Energy has supported FISH with an annual grant for more than a decade and is continuing its support through the foundation, which was established in 2006 with a $15 million endowment from a portion of the sale of InfrastruX Group, a former utility construction services subsidiary. None of the foundation’s funds come from PSE’s utility customers.
“The foundation’s support goes a long way toward helping FISH continue to teach community members about Pacific salmon and watershed stewardship,” said Gestin Suttle, FISH executive director. “Puget Sound Energy, and now the foundation, is a big part of our success.”
Friends of Youth offers parenting workshops
September 23, 2008
If you’ve ever wondered how you are going to approach the issues of drugs, alcohol and othe
Viebrock looks to unseat Rodne from 5th District seat
September 23, 2008
By James Spung
After four years as the 5th District’s representative in Olympia, Republican Jay Rodne has had a chance to make things happen.
Read more
