1) Neighborhood Matching Grant
Overview
The Neighborhood Matching Grant Program provides Kirkland neighborhoods the opportunity to apply for City funds to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods. Neighborhood matching grant funds have resulted in many physical improvements in the neighborhoods as well as community building activities. In the past, Central Houghton has used its grants primarily for the HoughtDown and neighborhood communications (website, newsletter, mailings, etc.).
Grant application needs to be filled out and submitted by Jan 31.
Ideas discussed
- Top of the list will be the hosting of website and Houghtdown Picnic and Parade
- “H” signs to announce meeting
- CERT sign – what can we do? What would be best? Something to look into this coming year.
- Communication – work with Lakeview PTSA to let them know about the Houghtdown for incoming families
- Potentially use mailers for recruitment and start conversation on Hought-Everest Center - Kari has cost of distribution list
- Ads in Kirkland Courier
Next Steps
- Lisa to find out cost of H signs
- Lisa to send previous grant applications to Brian
- Lisa look for email on grant amounts and send to Brian
- Erika send amount to Brian on HoughtDown costs
- Brian to bring application to next meeting to review
For more information on Kirkland’s Matching Grant Programs see - http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/CMO/Neighborhood_Services/Matching_Grants.htm
2) Neighborhood Safety Program
Overview
The City Council authorized the Neighborhood Safety Program (NSP) in June 2014. The purpose of the Program is to reenergize Neighborhood Associations by empowering them to work collaboratively to identify, prioritize and address pedestrian and bicycle safety issues in Kirkland neighborhoods.
Several folks went thru all the projects. The top suggestions were reviewed in the meeting. Many of the suggestions were improvements up by ICS.
Top recommendations that came out of the meeting:
- Improve 60th street entrance to Cross Kirkland Corridor. Clear out ivy and trees. Make it more open, improve the lighting. Look at drainage.
- Improve lighting on 112th – east along 112th, north of ICS.
- Improve 60th street entrance to bridge crossing over 405. Not sure if this is for DOT or the city.
Next Steps
- Lisa find about requesting DOT paint the ped bridge over 405
- Erika to look at 60th street to 405 bridge again to see if city or DOT.
- Erika to make sure to 112th improvement includes the details from our meeting
For more information on the Neighborhood Safety Program see - http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/CMO/Neighborhood_Services/NSP.htm
3) Kirkland Parkplace Update
Overview
Bill Pollard of Talon Private Capital presented Talon’s new plans for Kirkland Parkplace, at the Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods (KAN) meeting in November. Talon Private Capital, a Seattle-based privately-held real estate investment firm, is hoping to revive the Kirkland Parkplace project. Talon has offered to meet with the CHNA in the February timeframe to discuss it’s plans for Parkplace.
- Group had a general discussion in prep for Bill coming to Feb meeting. No matter what is included in mixed use, the design is everything! This was zoned for offices and now moving to residential. QFC appears to be having a large influence on the requirements and restrictions of the development. Urban planning is hot. Kirkland needs more employment opportunities.
4) Houghton-Everest Center
We all know the city will not start discussing this area until Jan 2016. In preparation for this, we think we should start talking to Everest and Lakeview to see if the neighborhoods want to move in the same direction. Suggestion made to start conversations in March.
5) Other updates
Market Neighborhood recently experienced a rash of car break ins. They were mainly opportunistic as car doors were unlocked. Many residents had not initially called KPD to report it as small valuables were taken and they thought that it was an isolated event. As a reminder, lock your doors, including homes and remove valuables from cars. Please report any car break ins so the police department can get a better understanding of the crime at hand.
Our next meeting will be Jan 7th at 7pm.
Until then, we hope you have a safe and enjoyable holiday season.
Stay in touch!!
Join our group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1376693919236398/
Check the website www.houghtonlives.com