Neighborhood Safety Program

Updated Feb. 7, 2024

The deadline to submit Project Idea Forms was December 1, 2023.

The City Council authorized the Neighborhood Safety Program (NSP) in June 2014. The purpose of the Program is to re-energize Neighborhood Associations by empowering them to work collaboratively to identify, prioritize and address pedestrian and bicycle safety issues in Kirkland neighborhoods.

Each year there is a total of $350,000 available for projects citywide under $75,000. Projects fall into the following categories:

  • Bicycle facility: Bike lanes or trails.
  • Crosswalks: New crosswalks, improved crosswalk ramps (ADA), crosswalk islands, and rapid flashing beacons.
  • Intersection Improvement: Signage, parking, and pedestrian "bump outs."
  • Traffic Calming: Radar speed signs.
  • Walkway and Trail: Gravel trails, steps, curb, and traffic delineators.
  • Street Lights: On existing utility pole or installing a light new pole.

Projects are restricted to City property, including streets, parks, community facilities, and the Cross Kirkland Corridor.

Concerns related to traffic calming, cut-through traffic, and sight distance require data collection and a separate public outreach process before traffic calming devices can be selected and implemented. Traffic calming devices include traffic islands, speed cushions, and signage. Data collection capabilities are limited, and these traffic calming devices are not eligible for Neighborhood Safety Program consideration at this time.

Work with your Neighbors

A primary goal of the Neighborhood Safety Program (NSP) is to reenergize Kirkland’s Neighborhood Associations. Individuals, community organizations, and businesses are encouraged to work directly with their respective Neighborhood Associations to help identify, review, and prioritize NSP projects.

Find your Neighborhood Association
To find your Neighborhood Association, view the Neighborhood Associations map(PDF, 2MB).

How to Apply

The steps below outline the process for submitting a NSP project idea and application:

Step 1: Suggest a Project
Enter your project idea through the OurKirkland interactive map any time during the year. To do so, click the "Request for Service" blue button and then enter the address for your project selection or use the pin on the map. Then select "Suggest a Project" in the drop-down dialog box and select the type of project. Please then provide comments describing your project suggestion. The City reviews and responds to all suggestions and will let you know if your project meets the NSP parameters.

 

Step 2: Attend Neighborhood Association meeting
At your Neighborhood Association meeting, you will be able to participate in the following:

  • Select the highest priority project(s) from the "Suggest a Project" list. (Note: Each Neighborhood can select a maximum of two projects totaling less than $75K combined. Rapid Flashing Beacons are estimated at $50K.)
  • Identify a Neighborhood Project Coordinator who will become the project advocate. They are responsible for soliciting support for the project, attending a Project Conference, completing the application and working with staff to keep the project on track during implementation.
  • Elect a Neighborhood Panel member who will join other neighborhood representatives to evaluate, score, and award NSP projects across the entire city.
  • Complete and submit a Project Idea form for selected project(s). (Note: This is typically done by the Project Coordinator).

City staff will review all Project Idea forms, help refine solutions to meet City standards, and develop cost estimates for Step 3.

Step 3: Submit NSP Project Application
Before the application is complete, City staff will meet with the Neighborhood Project Coordinator at a Project Conference to go over the scope and budget of each project. Staff will also work closely with the Neighborhood Project Coordinator to complete the project application. (Note: Each Neighborhood can submit a maximum of two projects totaling less than $75K combined. Rapid Flashing Beacons are estimated at 50K.)

 

Neighborhood Safety Program Project Evaluation

There are two evaluation steps to select projects for the recommendation to the City Council. The evaluation criteria used by City staff and the neighborhood panel is listed below:

City Staff PanelTechnical Safety Criteria(PDF, 996KB) (0–100 points)
The City staff panel is made up of an interdepartmental team who will evaluate the safety problem and viability of the solution of the project. Staff will also assess if the project completes a missing segment of important transportation network, addresses a recognized safety need, is consistent with adopted plans, and meets City standards.

Neighborhood PanelNeighborhood and Community Criteria(PDF, 983KB) (0–100 points)
The neighborhood panel is made up of elected representatives from all of Kirkland’s Neighborhoods who will evaluate the neighborhood and community benefit and support of the project. The neighborhood panel will also assess if the project expands and/or strengthens the neighborhood and community, addresses a recognized safety need (especially with a vulnerable population), and will result in a lasting, positive impact for the community.

Neighborhood and Community Contribution

One of the primary goals of the NSP is to foster collaboration between neighborhoods and community organizations to leverage the limited resources. Contributions are encouraged (but not required). The following items qualify as contributions:

  • Donated professional services
  • Donated materials or supplies
  • Volunteer labor
  • Grants
  • Cash donations

The following are some basic requirements for neighborhood and community contributions:

  • The amount and type of contribution must be appropriate to the needs of the project.
  • Assistance from City staff or funds from elsewhere in the City cannot be counted as a contribution.
  • Time spent preparing the application or fundraising cannot be counted as a contribution.
  • All volunteer labor is valued at $24.69 an hour.
  • Professional services, if needed for the project, are valued at the "reasonable and customary rate."

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Neighborhood Association Involvement
Does a Neighborhood Association review, evaluate, and submit all NSP projects proposed within that neighborhood? One of the main goals of the Neighborhood Safety Program is to reenergize neighborhoods and create opportunities for collaboration within neighborhoods. Neighborhood Project Coordinators are strongly encouraged to work with the Neighborhood Association(s) where the project is located. Additional points are given to projects that are ranked and supported by the Neighborhood Association(s).

Developing Project Cost Estimates
Who determines the costs of improvements? City staff and project engineers will review the Project Idea form and help the Neighborhood Project Coordinator scope the project and determine cost estimates. (Note: Actual costs may vary depending on contractor prices and if City staff can do the construction.)

Project Conference
What happens at the project conference? City staff and project engineers will meet with the Neighborhood Project Coordinator to answer questions, refine project scope, develop final cost estimates, and create maps and project plans that will be submitted with the NSP application. The NSP application will be available at the conference.

Project Compliance with Plans
How does an applicant know if a project is identified in a plan? City staff can help Neighborhood Project Coordinators determine if a project is identified in the Neighborhood Plan, Capital Improvement Program, Transportation Master Plan, or other relevant plans.

 

2024 Neighborhood Safety Program Schedule

Project Idea Forms Due: December 1, 2023
Virtual Project Conferences: February 1-2, 2024
2024 Applications Available: February 1, 2024
Neighborhood Applications Due: February 16, 2024
In-Person Project Review Meeting: February 28, 2024 at 6:00pm
Neighborhood Score Sheet Due: March 15, 2024
City Council Decision: April 2024
Projects Announced: April 2024
Projects Completed By: June 2025

Past Neighborhood Safety Projects

2023 Projects

City Council meeting on May 2, 2023

Council Memo for May 2(PDF, 167KB) | Council Presentation(PDF, 975KB)

City Staff: Don Robinson

Project Manager: Alejandro Trujillo

 

2023 Projects

HMA Crosswalk/Sidewalk Extension

Location: Waverly Way and 2nd to Heritage Park

Neighborhood: Market

RRFB Installation | Project 23NSP02

Location: Lake St S and 10th Ave S

Neighborhood: Moss Bay

RRFB Installation | Project: 23NSP03

Location: 124th Ave NE and NE 142nd Pl at Kingsgate Library

Neighborhood: Evergreen Hill

HMA Sidewalk Connections | 23NSP04

Location: 7th Ave between 3rd St and 4th St

Neighborhood: Norkirk

HMA Sidewalk Improvements | 23NSP06

Location: 126th Ave NE and NE 80th

Neighborhood: South Rose Hill/Bridle Trails

2021 Projects

City Council meeting on April 20, 2021

April 20 Council Memo | Council Presentation

2021 Applications

2021 Funded Projects:

Intersection Improvement | Project: 21NSP01

Location: 108th Ave NE and NE 137th PL

Neighborhood: Juanita | Project Manager: Brian Magee | City Staff: David Wolbrecht

Project completion: 2022

 

Rapid Flashing Beacon | Project: 21NSP02

Location: 132nd Ave NE between NE 129th St and NE 132nd St

Neighborhood: Evergreen Hill | Project Manager: Lile Ellefsen | City Staff: David Wolbrecht

Project completion: 2022

 

Rapid Flashing Beacon | Project: 21NSP03

Location: 124th Ave NE at NE 104th St

Neighborhood: North Rose Hill | Project Manager: Matt Saxton | City Staff: David Wolbrecht

Project completion: 2022

 

2020 Projects

Stay up to date on the construction information for the 2020 Projects.

City Council meeting on April 21, 2020
April 21 Council Memo | Council Presentation

2020 Applications | 2020 Project Map(PDF, 896KB)

2020 Funded Projects:

Intersection Improvement | Project: 20NSP01

Location:
Central Way and Market
Neighborhood: Market | Project Manager: Susan Dietz | City Staff: Kari Page
Project completion: 2021

Crosswalk | Project: 20NSP02

Location: 132nd Avenue NE at NE 129th Street
Neighborhood: Evergreen Hill | Project Manager: Lile Ellefsen | City Staff: Kari Page
Project completion: 2021

Rapid Flashing Beacon | Project: 20NSP03
Location: 84th Avenue NE and NE 137th Street
Neighborhood: Finn Hill | Project Manager: Amanda Judd | City Staff: Kari Page
Project completion: 2021

Rapid Flashing Beacon | Project: 20NSP04

Location: Central Way and Main
Neighborhood: Moss Bay | Project Manager: Brad Haverstein | City Staff: Kari Page
Project completion: 2021

 

2019 Projects

City Council meeting on April 16, 2019
April 16 Council Memo(PDF, 2MB) | Council Presentation(PDF, 3MB)

2019 Applications | 2019 Project Map(PDF, 899KB)

2019 Funded Projects:

Raised Sidewalk | Project: 19NSP01

Location:
Corner of NE 134th Street at 87th Ave NE
Neighborhood: Finn Hill | Project Manager: Amy Falcone | City Staff: Kari Page
Project completion: Complete

Rapid Flashing Beacon | Project: 19NSP02

Location: NE 132nd Street at 129th NE
Neighborhood: Evergreen Hill | Project Manager: Johanna Palmer | City Staff: Kari Page
Project completion: Complete

Traffic Median Island | Project: 19NSP03

Location: Slater Ave NE at NE 119th Street
Neighborhood: Totem Lake | Project Manager: Andrea Fuentes | City Staff: Kari Page
Project completion: Complete

Intersection Improvement | Project: 19NSP04

Location: NE 87th Street at 114th Ave NE
Neighborhood: Highlands | Project Manager: Karen Story | City Staff: Kari Page
Project completion: Complete

Walkway | Project: 19NSP05

Location: NE 120th Street between 93rd Pl NE and 96th Ave NE
Neighborhood:
Juanita | Project Manager: Brian Magee | City Staff: Kari Page
Project completion: Complete

Crosswalk | Project: 19NSP06

Location: Lakeview Drive north of 64th Street
Neighborhood:
Lakeview | Project Manager: Judy Beto | City Staff: Kari Page
Project completion:
Complete

Rapid Flashing Beacon | Project: 19NSP07

Location: 108th Ave NE at NE 46th Street
Neighborhood: Central Houghton | Project Manager: Lisa McConnell | City Staff: Kari Page
Project completion: Complete

 

2018 Projects

City Council meeting on April 17, 2018
April 17 Council Memo(PDF, 395KB) | Council Presentation(PDF, 5MB)

2018 Applications | 2018 Project Map(PDF, 1MB)

2018 Funded Projects:

Bicycle Improvements | Project: 18NSP01

Location:
98th Ave and 100th Ave NE
Neighborhood: Juanita | Project Manager: Brian Magee | City Staff: Kari Page
Project completion: Complete

Radar Speed Sign | Project: 18NSP02

Location:
132nd Ave NE from NE 128th to NE 144th Street
Neighborhood: Evergreen Hill | Project Manager: Johanna Palmer | City Staff: Kari Page
Project completion: Complete

Radar Speed Sign | Project: 18NSP03

Location:
Kirkland Way at the Cross Kirkland Corridor
Neighborhood: Everest | Project Manager: Owen Paulus | City Staff: Kari Page
Project completion: Complete

Trail Connection | Project: 18NSP04

Location:
53rd Street at the Cross Kirkland Corridor
Neighborhood:
Central Houghton | Project Manager: Lisa McConnell | City Staff: Kari Page
Project completion: Complete

Walkway Improvement | Project: 18NSP05

Location:
7th Avenue from 4th to 6th Streets
Neighborhood:
Norkirk | Project Manager: Deanna Mortensen | City Staff: Kari Page
Project completion: Complete

Stair Improvements | Project: 18NSP06

Location:
NE 100th Street at Cotton Hill Park on the Cross Kirkland Corridor
Neighborhood:
Highlands | Project Manager: Karen Story | City Staff: Kari Page
Project completion: Complete

Rapid Flashing Beacon | Project: 18NSP07

Location:
NE 70th Street at 120th Ave
Neighborhood: South Rose Hill/Bridle Trails | Project Manager: Jim Hoff | City Staff: Kari Page
Project completion: Complete

Crosswalk | Project: 18NSP08

Location:
Lakeshore Plaza at Marina Park
Neighborhood: Moss Bay | Project Manager: Aimee Voelz | City Staff: Kari Page
Project completion: Complete

Radar Speed Sign | Project: 18NSP09

Location:
131st Way east of 94th Ave NE
Neighborhood: Finn Hill | Project Manager: Amy Falcone | City Staff: Kari Page
Project completion: Complete