Rapid Response
May 4, 2010
By Staff
What additional steps can city officials take to encourage development downtown?
They could cut taxes/paperwork and red tape.
Paul Stewart, Issaquah
Make the change in occupancy process faster and reduce fees — there should be no vacancies in downtown.
Fred Nystrom, Issaquah
Having reduced the move-in costs was a big and positive step. We should encourage residents to “Buy Issaquah.”
Barbara Extract, Issaquah
Small businesses are always encouraged by reduced tax rates, regulation and traffic congestion.
Mark Bowers, Issaquah
Perhaps follow the advice of the economic development commission that we all spent so much time hearing about all those years ago.
Bryan Weinstein, Issaquah
The city needs to include in their plans a consistent “look and feel” to all new construction — one that will be noticed as you drive down Front Street. Business will follow if this is done.
Geoff Carson, Issaquah
The most critical issue is poor flow of traffic on Front Street.
Michael Powell, Issaquah
The biggest obstacle to downtown business is the many hours of gridlock each day caused by people just trying to get through town. If ever a town needed a bypass, it is Issaquah. Instead, our shortsighted leaders wasted $10 million and many years to simply kill the idea.
Maynard Pillie, Issaquah
The city charges a lot of fees that are not value adding. Repeal them all and keep your fingers crossed.
Hank Thomas, Issaquah
Issaquah offers fun and culture unlike any other city; I would encourage our city officials to partner with mutually beneficial groups to continue drawing people downtown. Personally, I would also like to see stricter architectural guidelines.
Michelle Kolano, Issaquah
I asked a developer friend on this one for some inside information: traffic and parking are huge issues, but if the city really wants development they need to address their reputation with developers. They are considered “developer unfriendly.” Any development project must be a partnership with the city. Time kills deals, and Issaquah takes forever! They must know what they want, be able to make timely decisions and allow/facilitate action. They must work diligently with developers to make it happen, quickly.
Monica Drakes, Issaquah
Reduce fees for startups, and perhaps adjusting signage regulations could help businesses promote themselves better. Find more parking options.
Gail Givan, Issaquah
Make Issaquah a theme town, a la Leavenworth. Art galleries supporting local artists. Gourmet restaurants, nonchains. Bookstore heaven a la Hay on Wye in Wales, UK.
Jim Harris, Issaquah
What steps can city, county and state officials take to protect kokanee salmon while the federal government dawdles on its decision?
Take all the dead ones and dump them in front of the government office buildings — that’ll speed up the decision.
Paul Stewart, Issaquah
Require all septic systems along each feeder creek to be shut down if within 200 feet of the creek or lake.
Fred Nystrom, Issaquah
Stop everyone from fishing.
Ken Sessler, Issaquah
I’m not sure anything can be done. The area’s growth explosion, the past 20 years, may have tipped the scale.
Geoff Carson, Issaquah
Work harder to protect/restore the health of our water ecosystem. Impose/enforce tougher regulations without exception.
Hank Thomas, Issaquah
We need to step up to the plate, take responsibility for their present state and do everything to preserve the stock, despite the feds, to whom our salmon mean nothing.
Rick Fournier, Issaquah
Educate our residents! Take steps to prevent “dead zones” in Lake Sammamish. Encourage ideal behavior/habits until our federal government catches up.
Michelle Kolano, Issaquah
Stop the fisheries from allowing salmon two or three years to replenish themselves.
Jim Harris, Issaquah
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