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July 10, 2025
The secret to safer neighborhoods? It might be burgers. This week we’re joined by Sgt. Karp to talk about National Night Out block parties and how you can invite firefighters, police officers, and City Councilmembers to join your neighborhood gathering.
Check it out.
The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items on the Business Agenda, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
- Council will hold a public hearing on the Evergreen Health Levy Lid Lift for Healthcare Services.
- Council will consider adopting resolutions approving the annexation of the South Kirkland Park and Ride parcel into Kirkland boundary, the extent of the Cross Kirkland Corridor parcel into Kirkland boundary, and an adjustment to the intersection of 108th Ave NE and NE 38th Pl to be within Bellevue boundary.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council will also hold a Study Session starting at 5:30 p.m., where they will discuss:
- Juanita Zoning Code Amendments for the Michael's site and Goodwill site
Meeting details:
The business meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and is preceded by a 5:30 p.m. study session. The agenda for the July 15 meeting will be available on the City website prior to the meeting on the Kirkland City Council agendas webpage. You can also receive meeting agendas in your inbox by subscribing to “City Council Agendas” on the Kirkland email lists subscription page.
How to watch: Kirkland City Council meetings are streamed live and can be watched after the fact on the City of Kirkland Facebook page and the City YouTube channel, in addition to the livestream on the City website. Meetings are also televised on Comcast Cable Channel 21 and Ziply Cable Channel 31.
How to participate: Members of the public wishing to address the Council may do so in-person or via Zoom during the “Items from the Audience” part of the agenda. That part of the agenda occurs at the beginning of the Council’s business meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m. Information on the comment sign up process to provide comment to the City Council, and on attending the meeting virtually, is available on the City Council webpage.
Written comments can also be submitted to CityCouncil@kirklandwa.gov. For additional questions, please call the City Clerk’s Office at (425) 587-3190.
Stay in the know: you can also get a preview of what’s coming up at Council in the coming weeks and months by checking out the City Council Agenda Calendar. Please note: this calendar is subject to frequent change and does not constitute legal notice.
Join the Planning Commission or Tourism Development Committee
Have an opinion about how things are going in Kirkland? Ever wish you could provide formal recommendations to the City Council? Want to make an impact and serve your community? Then apply for a vacancy on the Planning Commission or Tourism Development Committee!
Apply to the City Clerk by 4 p.m. on July 11, 2025 by 4 p.m. for the Planning Commission vacancy and on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, by 4 p.m. for the Tourism Development Committee vacancy.
Learn more and apply on the City's website.
How can I contact the City with questions, requests, or suggestions?
You can always contact City staff through the Our Kirkland service portal, available on the web and mobile app. Submitting your comments through Our Kirkland ensures the right staff receives the information and can follow up with you.
Houghton Beach has been reopened as of July 8 for swimming, wading and other water activities, by recommendation of Public Health – Seattle & King County. The beach had been closed to swimming since June 24 due to elevated bacteria levels.
Read more.
Weekend full closure of Southbound I-405 from Northeast 124th Street to Northeast 70th Place is scheduled for this weekend from 11 p.m. Friday night July 11 to 4 a.m. Monday July 14. Please share this information with people you know. For questions, latest info and project details, visit https://bit.ly/85th-interchange-BRT
City staff are actively working with WSDOT to review and update the detour plan for this weekend’s freeway closure. Updates include additional message boards further north along I-405 and on I-5 before the split, adjustments to the number and placement of uniformed police officers (UPOs), and coordinating to improve the utilization of the UPOs to more efficiently move traffic along the detour route.
However, whenever a major freeway closure occurs, increased traffic on local roads is expected. If you live near the detour route, please consider planning ahead:
• Allow extra travel time
• Park your vehicle in a location that’s easy to access
• Make alternate travel plans or avoid the area if possible
Thank you for your patience as we work to minimize disruptions.
On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, neighborhoods across Kirkland will join communities nationwide for National Night Out - an evening dedicated to building safer, stronger connections between residents and first responders.
National Night Out (NNO) is a chance to step outside, meet your neighbors, and invite Kirkland’s police officers, firefighters, and City Councilmembers to your block party, BBQ, or neighborhood gathering. It’s a fun, informal way to connect with the people who help keep Kirkland safe and maybe even sit in a fire engine or patrol car!
If you're hosting an event on private property, you can request visits from first responders and/or City Councilmembers using our NNO Request Form. The last day to submit a visit request is Monday, July 21, 2025.
While they’ll make every effort to attend between 6–9 p.m., availability depends on emergency call volume. Join us in celebrating community, safety, and connection! Learn more at natw.org.
Kirkland Performance Center has begun the initial construction phase of a project that will replace the theater’s rigging and install modern lighting and staging technology.
Construction begins by replacing the existing rope rigging with a modern hoist system that both improves the theater’s safety for performers and eliminates a significant amount of the manual work required to operate the theater’s outdated system. The City of Kirkland is also collaborating with KPC to include additional safety and energy-efficiency improvements to the building.
“KPC is one of Kirkland’s artistic gems and we should be proud to support a project that helps it grow,” said Councilmember Penny Sweet. “These improvements ensure that audiences will enjoy KPC for generations to come. We’re grateful for the state’s support in helping fund these important upgrades.”
The City worked with KPC to secure state funding to help make the project possible. City and State funding, combined with corporate partnerships and private donations, have raised $4.1 million of a $5.2 million goal.
The theater will not hold performances from July through August while construction takes place but should be back in the fall with a regular schedule.
To learn more about the project and the KPC, please visit www.elevatekpc.org
Congratulations to South King County Fire Training Consortium Recruit Class 20 and a warm welcome to Kirkland’s newest Firefighters: Lucas Allen, Matthew Nelson, Cameron Pizzica, and Kyle Robinson!
Firefighter Lucas Allen graduated with top honors, receiving the Marty Hauer Fitness Award, Top Rung Award, and Chief’s Company Award. Firefighter Kyle Robinson was recognized with the Lionhardt Award and Chief’s Company Award.
After completing a 22-week fire academy, these recruits are now preparing to begin shift work at a Kirkland Fire station this month. We’ll be featuring each of these new firefighters in our Firefighter Friday spotlight series on the @KirklandWAFire Instagram and Kirkland WA Fire Facebook accounts - follow along to get to know the newest members of our team!
Kirkland Conserves will be tabling on July 18 at the Juanita Farmer’s Market. Stop by and take a quick survey and get an awesome reusable giveaway! Just stop by and say hi, learn about recycling, rain gardens, yard smart, tree-bates, and more!!
Our community showed up in full spirit for the 2025 Celebrate Kirkland 4th of July Parade! From the dedicated volunteers and energetic parade participants to the kids who marched with flair and community members who lined the streets with smiles, YOU made it unforgettable.
It takes a village to throw the annual Celebrate Kirkland Parade. Thank you to our sponsors: Kenworth Truck Company, Lee Johnson Auto Family, Humana, Madison House Kirkland, EvergreenHealth, and Kitagaito Orthodontics.
This tradition shines because of all of you! Thank you for making Kirkland such a joyful, welcoming, and wonderful place to call home.
The Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC) is closed for construction between 132nd Avenue NE/Slater Avenue NE and 128th Place NE to work on the crossing at Slater Avenue. Trail users should follow posted detour signs. The City’s contractor will work to reopen this section from Friday evenings through Monday mornings, but please note that a detour will still be in place even when the trail is open. We've observed many users crossing the street and entering the construction zone. Please do not enter the work area and follow all detour signage for your safety.
As early as July 18, Kirkland’s contractor for the NE 85th Street shared-use pathway project will close the Cross Kirkland Corridor trail around NE 85th Street as they will be working overhead and building a pedestrian bridge over the CKC. Two detours (an ADA-accessible detour route and a non ADA-accessible detour route) will be posted for users to navigate around the construction zone. This is an extended, months-long closure and we realize it is a significant impact to the community. The full shared-use pathway project is expected to be complete in May 2026.
I405
Weekend full closure of Southbound I-405 from Northeast 124th Street to Northeast 70th Place is scheduled for this weekend from 11 p.m. Friday night July 11 to 4 a.m. Monday July 14. Please share this information with people you know. For questions, latest info and project details, visit https://bit.ly/85th-interchange-BRT
NE 85th Street
Drivers will encounter the construction zone to increase on both sides of I-405 on NE 85th Street. Two City projects, both of which are the direct result of Sound Transit’s improvements to the I-405 interchange have begun construction and traffic control. On the west side of I-405, traffic control is reduced to one-lane eastbound from Peter Kirk Park, and one-lane westbound to Sixth Street. Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/NE-85th-Street-Shared-Use-Pathway for project updates on Thursdays.
On the east side of I-405, traffic will be impacted overnight from 8 p.m. as Kirkland’s contractor builds a eastbound third-lane between 120th Avenue Northeast and 122nd Avenue Northeast. Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/NE-85th-Street-Eastbound-3rd-Lane for project updates on Thursdays.
Juanita Drive
Drivers should expect delays on Juanita Drive as early as July 15 as Kirkland's contractor begins paving near 86th Avenue Northeast. Flaggers will maintain one alternating travel lane between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Paving is expected to be complete by Friday, July 18.
Drivers may encounter one lane traffic on Northeast Juanita Drive near 86th Avenue Northeast. Flaggers will alternate traffic between 9am and 3pm. Drivers should expect delays during this time. Kirkland contractor is updating the storm water system at this location. Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/NE-Juanita-Dr-and-86th-Ave-NE-Storm-Improvements-Project for more information.
Goat Hill
Drivers should plan to utilize Northeast 117th Place for the next month as Kirkland’s contractor beings installing two walls on Northeast 116th Place. Construction resumed on June 9 and is expected to be complete by fall. Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/goathill for project updates on Thursdays.
Slater Avenue Northeast/132nd Avenue Northeast at Cross Kirkland Corridor
Slater/132nd Avenues Northeast is permanently reduced to a single lane heading north from Northeast 124th Street to Northeast 126th Place. This is consistent with Slater Avenue Northeast to the South and 132nd Avenue to the North. Drivers will encounter traffic control and heavy equipment as this project creates a signalized crossing from the end of the Cross Kirkland Corridor trail to King County’s Eastrail, as well as other pedestrian and bicyclist improvements. Construction is expected to be completed this fall. Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/CKC-to-Eastrail-Crossing-at-Slater-Ave-NE-132nd-Ave-NE for project updates on Thursdays.
98th Avenue Northeast
Drivers will encounter traffic control for installation of a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) at Market Street’s intersection with 19th Avenue/19th Avenue West. Work will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to avoid most commuter traffic. This project is funded by the Transportation Benefit District.
124th Avenue Northeast
Work continues on the east side of the street on 124th Avenue Northeast, between Northeast 116th Street and Northeast 124th Street. Paving is commencing, which will required some business driveways to be closed for a few hours as the asphalt sets. Drivers exiting businesses will encounter “Right Turn Only” access to 124th Avenue Northeast. Bicyclists will merge with traffic. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/124thavenue for project updates on Thursdays.
100th Avenue Northeast OMA Construction may briefly alternating traffic at various locations or if necessary, briefly stop traffic between Northeast 137th and 145th streets. The legal speed limit through the construction zone is 25 miles per hour. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/100thavedesign for project updates on Thursdays.
Heat Pumps, Cool Incentives Workshop
Date: July 17
Time: 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Bellevue City Hall
Ready to beat the heat? Join us at Bellevue City Hall on July 17 for an interactive, informative workshop about heat pumps. Learn about the benefits of heat pumps, different heat pump configurations, how to shop for a heat pump, and how to take advantage of rebates and incentives. Whether you are looking to improve the energy efficiency of your home, or just dying for some air conditioning, this is the workshop for you!
Register Here
Outdoor Summer Movies
Location: Juanita Beach Park
Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a double feature on our giant LED movie screen.
July 12
- 6 p.m. Despicable Me 4 (PG)
- 8 p.m. Wonka (PG)
July 19:
- 6 p.m. Migration (PG)
- 8 p.m. Madame Web (PG-13)
July 26:
- 6 p.m. Kung Fu Panda 4 (PG)
- 8 p.m. The Marvels (PG-13)
Free and no registration required.
More info on the event page.
Junior League Softball World Series
The City of Kirkland welcomes the Junior Softball World Series for the 25th year in Kirkland, Washington!
Join us for an exciting community rally to kick off the 2025 Junior League Softball World Series!
Bring your team spirit and come celebrate with players, families, and fans from around the world as we welcome the talented young athletes competing for the world championship.
Event Highlights:
- Welcome Ceremony with Team Introductions
- Live DJ & Performances
- "A League of Their Own" Movie in the Park
- Team Photo Ops
- Special Guest Speakers
Schedule:
- 3:00 p.m. | Celebrity Game
- 5:15 p.m. | Welcome Rally at Peter Kirk Park
- 6:30 p.m. | Movie in the Park "A League of Their Own"
Wear your team colors and show your support!
This event is free and open to the public. Perfect for families, softball fans, and anyone who loves a good community celebration. This event kicks off the week long series.
The tournament will be played July 27 – August 2 at Everest Park (500 8th St. S, Kirkland)
More info on the event page.
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What does the Planning Commission do? Watch our video to find out about past and future exciting projects.