Offer input on long-term plan to redevelop business district
September 4, 2011
NEW — 8 a.m. Sept. 4, 2011
Citizens can offer input on a plan to transform Issaquah’s business district in the decades ahead.
Longtime Issaquah developer Rowley Properties is proposing to a long-term plan to redevelop about 80 acres along Northwest Gilman Boulevard and state Route 900 from a commercial and light-industrial district into a mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented neighborhood.
The municipal Planning Department issued a draft environmental review for the plan to redevelopment Hyla Crossing and Rowley Center on Aug. 31. The review, or environmental impact statement, illustrates possible impacts on storm water, traffic and views.
Rowley Properties and city planners embarked on a bold effort in April 2010 to redevelop Hyla Crossing and Rowley Center in Central Issaquah.
City planners approve Hyla Crossing extension
March 22, 2011
City planners approved a request March 4 to allow Rowley Properties until 2014 to develop the Hyla Crossing area near Interstate 90 and the base of Cougar Mountain.
The city approved the initial plan in July 1998. The approval remained valid for a decade. Rowley Properties requested a three-year extension, and in March 2008, the City Council extended the deadline to July 2011.
The developer sought and received another three-year extension for the master site plan. Now, the plan is valid until July 2014.
Hyla Crossing has been approved for about 620,000 square feet of commercial use on about 45 acres.
Some of the area — including a Hilton Garden Inn and a Chevrolet dealership — already came to fruition. The approved plan also includes office buildings and parking structures.
Most of the property is zoned for intensive commercial use, and a small portion along Tibbetts Creek is zoned for professional office use.
Hyla Crossing is also part of a long-term effort to redevelop the city’s 915-acre business district.
Rowley Properties requests Hyla Crossing extension
March 8, 2011
The city could extend the deadline on a key plan for commercial property wedged between Interstate 90 and the base of Cougar Mountain.
Rowley Properties has asked the city to extend the approval period for the master site plan, or overarching blueprint, for Hyla Crossing until July 2014.
The city approved the plan in July 1998. The approval remained valid for a decade. Rowley Properties requested a three-year extension, and in March 2008, the council extended the deadline to July 2011.
Now, the developer is seeking another three-year extension for the master site plan.
Hyla Crossing has been approved for about 620,000 square feet of commercial use on about 45 acres.
Some of the area — including Hilton Garden Inn and a Chevrolet dealership — already came to fruition. The approved plan also includes office buildings and parking structures.
Most of the property is zoned for intensive commercial use, and a small portion along Tibbetts Creek is zoned for professional office use.
Hyla Crossing is also part of a long-term effort to redevelop the 915-acre business district.
Delve into long-term plan for business district at open house
December 7, 2010
Rowley Properties proposal encompasses almost 90 acres
Rowley Properties and city planners embarked on a bold effort in April to shape growth in the decades ahead near Interstate 90 and state Route 900.
Now, the city and the longtime Issaquah developer seek opinions from residents about the potential impacts redevelopment could cause to traffic, mountain views and the environment. Planners scheduled a Dec. 15 open house to gather input from residents.
Participants can listen to presentations from the Community Advisory Group, the citizen panel appointed to shape the process. Organizers also plan to present information about possible environmental impact studies for redevelopment on the site.
Beyond the open house, residents can also provide input later, as the project progresses through policy discussions and environmental studies.
Committee appointed to guide redevelopment
July 6, 2010
The city and developer Rowley Properties called on former city councilmen and community leaders last week to help guide redevelopment on almost 90 acres.
City planners and Rowley representatives announced the creation of the citizens group to offer input on a proposal to redevelop land near state Route 900 and Interstate 90.
The committee appointments represent the latest step in a decadeslong process to reshape Hyla Crossing — about 62 acres arranged in a rough triangle and wedged between the interstate and the base of Cougar Mountain — and Rowley Center — about 26 acres bordered by Northwest Maple Street, 12th Avenue Northwest, Northwest Gilman Boulevard and state Route 900 — into mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly areas.
City Council members agreed in early April to proceed with the proposal. The council agreed to spend up to $750,000 — to be reimbursed by the developer — to complete the framework for a development agreement.
City, Rowley Properties form committee to guide redevelopment
June 29, 2010
NEW — 5:15 p.m. June 29, 2010
The city and developer Rowley Properties announced the creation of a citizens group to offer input on a proposal to redevelop almost 90 acres in Issaquah’s commercial center.
The city unveiled the committee lineup Tuesday afternoon. The group plans to meet throughout the summer and fall, and then deliver recommendations to the city and developer.
Members meet for the first time 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the John L. Scott building, 1700 N.W. Gilman Blvd, Suite 100. The city plans to post a complete meeting schedule online.
City, Rowley may partner on redevelopment plan
March 30, 2010
City Council members will take a step April 5 to reshape almost 90 acres in the city’s commercial center. Read more
Learn about plan to redevelop almost 90 acres at Monday meeting
March 21, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. March 21, 2010
City Council members will take the initial step Monday to reshape almost 90 acres in the city’s commercial center.
Under a proposed development agreement headed to a council committee, longtime Issaquah developer Rowley Properties aims to partner with the city to redevelop about 87 acres to create mixed-use destinations.
Planners envision the area — now a string of low-slung offices and strip malls along busy thoroughfares — as a walkable town center possibly connected to a regional light rail network.
Council Major Planning & Growth Committee members will review the proposed agreement at 5 p.m. in the Eagle Room at City Hall, 130 E. Sunset Way.
Protesters picket Bothell hotel in Issaquah, but hotels are unrelated
December 8, 2008
NEW — 7:22 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008
Picketers gathered at the Hilton Garden Inn Seattle/Issaquah at Hyla Crossing Dec. 8 to protest the hiring of a subcontractor at the Bothell Hilton Garden Inn location.
The group, representing the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, was protesting the hiring of Paras Concrete, a concrete subcontractor, for the Bothell Hilton Garden Inn project.
The picket left many employees at the Hilton Garden Inn and at Rowley Properties with questions since the two locations aren’t owned or operated by the same people. The only thing the two have in common are the name brand they share. Read more
