Council sets workshop for Central Issaquah Plan
February 12, 2013
Months after the City Council adopted the Central Issaquah Plan, members intend to delve into the redevelopment blueprint again to refine important development rules.
The council plans to meet Feb. 20 for a public workshop to discuss design and development standards, or the rules for buildings, community spaces, landscaping, signage and more. City staffers intend to answer the council’s questions as members prepare to sign off on the last outstanding Central Issaquah Plan piece.
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That piece is scheduled to reach the council for consideration and possible adoption April 1.
Issaquah innovators earn business honor
January 29, 2013
Innovation in Issaquah is exemplified by a leading apparel manufacturer, a revolutionary process to transform garbage into fertilizer and a theater renowned for fostering Broadway-bound musicals.
Issaquah Chamber of Commerce and city leaders announced the Innovation in Issaquah honorees — apparel manufacturer SanMar, WISErg, a manufacturer of garbage-to-fertilizer harvesters, and the nonprofit Village Theatre — at a Jan. 24 ceremony and luncheon.
Leaders from the chamber and City Hall recognized the entrepreneurs’ accomplishments through the Innovation in Issaquah contest, a showcase for local businesses offering unique services. Honorees demonstrate innovation in product development, services, systems or strategies.
City OKs buildings up to 125 feet tall in business district
December 25, 2012
Redevelopment plan calls for more than 7,000 residences
City leaders raised the building height limit to 125 feet in the business district and raised the stakes for redevelopment in the decades ahead.
The roadmap to redevelopment — a document called the Central Issaquah Plan — also creates a framework to add more than 7,000 residences on about 1,000 acres stretched along Interstate 90.
In a series of decisions reached Dec. 17 after years spent re-envisioning the business district, a relieved City Council adopted the Central Issaquah Plan, but delayed action on a key piece until at least April.
“It’s the right plan at the right time,” Councilman Fred Butler said. “It will not happen overnight, but when the time is right, we will be ready.”
City Council adopts Central Issaquah Plan, delays key piece
December 18, 2012
NEW — 4:30 p.m. Dec. 18, 2012
Issaquah leaders adopted a long-term plan Monday to transform the business district from strip mall suburbia into a dense urban core punctuated by buildings up to 125 feet tall.
In a decision reached after years spent re-envisioning the business district — about 1,000 acres stretched along Interstate 90 — a relieved City Council adopted the Central Issaquah Plan, but delayed action on a key piece until at least April.
The council held off on a decision about the design and development standards outlined in the 30-year blueprint for redevelopment. The design and development standards set rules for buildings, community spaces, landscaping, signage and more.
City Council could delay part of Central Issaquah Plan
December 12, 2012
NEW — 10 a.m. Dec. 12, 2012
City leaders recommended Tuesday to delay the implementation of important development rules in a long-term plan to transform the business district from strip malls and parking lots to a dense urban hub.
In the last public meeting for the proposed Central Issaquah Plan before the document reaches the City Council for consideration, a council committee called for more time to refine and review the design and development standards outlined in the 30-year blueprint for redevelopment.
The design and development standards set rules for buildings, community spaces, landscaping, signage and more.
Overall, Council Land & Shore Committee members forwarded to the full council the four pieces of legislation to enact the Central Issaquah Plan. The full council is scheduled to consider the legislation and listen to public input Dec. 17.
Issaquah Trader Joe’s halts liquor sales
December 11, 2012
Trader Joe’s suddenly pulled spirits from store shelves not long after reopening at the Issaquah Commons last month.
The store at the open-air retail center meets the threshold — 10,000 square feet — to sell liquor under state law. Customers said store employees referred to a problem with the lease as the reason liquor disappeared from store shelves.
Trader Joe’s and the property owner offered few details about the change.
Trader Joe’s opens at Issaquah Commons
November 20, 2012
Trader Joe’s reopened Nov. 14 in a location large enough for the California-based grocer to offer spirits under the state’s revised liquor laws.
The grocer relocated to 975 N.W. Gilman Blvd. from a smaller space at Pickering Place, and renovated 11,000 square feet at the Issaquah Commons for the store.
Trader Joe’s carries domestic and imported foods and beverages, in addition to basics, such as eggs and milk.
Trader Joe’s opens Issaquah Commons store
November 15, 2012
NEW — 11 a.m. Nov. 15, 2012
Trader Joe’s opened Wednesday at the Issaquah Commons in a location large enough for the California-based grocer to offer spirits under the state’s revised liquor laws.
The grocer relocated from a smaller space at Pickering Place, and renovated 11,000 square feet at the Issaquah Commons for the just-opened store.
Trader Joe’s carries domestic and imported foods and beverages, including artisan breads, coffees ground from Arabica bean, frozen entrées, fresh crop nuts, and vitamins and supplements, in addition to basics, such as eggs and milk.
The store meets the threshold — 10,000 square feet — to sell liquor, in addition to beer and wine, under state law.
Big Lots opens, donates to Issaquah school
November 13, 2012
Big Lots is opening at Pickering Place, and the closeout retailer is donating $2,500 to Issaquah Valley Elementary School.
Columbus, Ohio-based Big Lots opened in the space last occupied by Leathers Gallery, a local furniture store. Leathers moved to a space across the parking lot, and Big Lots renovated the former furniture store.
Big Lots plans to donate to the school during the store’s ribbon cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. Nov. 16.
Costco looms large in race between Barack Obama, Mitt Romney
October 30, 2012
Pundits claim the presidential contest could hinge on so-called Walmart moms, but another discount chain is often mentioned on the campaign trail, too.
Jim Sinegal
Both President Barack Obama and challenger Mitt Romney embraced Issaquah-based Costco on the stump, albeit for different reasons.
Support from Costco cofounder and former CEO Jim Sinegal allows Obama to highlight a business success in a feeble economy. The affluent Romney’s affinity for Costco allows the former Massachusetts governor to project a more down-to-earth image.
“Costco’s story is the American story,” Sinegal proclaimed to delegates and dignitaries in a September speech at the Democratic National Convention focused on job creation and the economy.
