June 5, 2025 - This Week in Kirkland - Text Version

Published on June 06, 2025

This Week: Council Recap | Grand Marshal Reveal | Live Downtown Parking Map

City of Kirkland Washington sent this bulletin at 06/05/2025 05:00 PM PDT

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June 5, 2025


The Podcast - Learn the Code Phrase to Score a Free Juanita Friday Market Tote

Ready to make the most of your Juanita Friday Market visits? Danielle Weese - the staff member who helps make the market happen - shares her favorite tips and gives you a code phrase that’ll score you a free market bag at the info booth. Don’t miss this fun and fresh episode!

City Council Meeting Recap

The Kirkland City Council met on June 3, 2025. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting: 

  • Council discussed the Kirkland Zoning Code to implement State-mandated requirements for middle housing, accessary dwelling units, parking, and design review within low-, medium-, and high-density residential zones.
  • Council adopted a new fee schedule for the Transportation Impact Fees.
  • Council received a special presentation on the "State of Healthcare" from EvergreenHealth CEO Dr. Ettore Palazzo
  • The Mayor Proclaimed National Gun Violence Awareness Day, Pride Month, and Ride Transit Month in Kirkland. To read more, visit the City’s website.

Prior to the above business agenda, the Council held a Study Session, where they discussed an upcoming Transit Needs Study and heard about options for a dedicated bike lane along Central Way and Peter Kirk Park. 


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. 

To watch the Council discussions on the specific agenda items outlined above, visit the City’s website. The full agenda packet with information on each item is located on the City’s website. 

The next City Council meeting is on June 17, 2025. 

Community Conversations

Juanita Zoning Code Amendment Public Hearing

The City of Kirkland Planning Commission will be holding a public hearing to seek community feedback on draft zoning code and design guideline amendments, which will apply to the current Goodwill store site (9826 NE 132nd St) and the adjacent parcels to the east, along with the JBD-4 zone in the Juanita Business District, home to the existing Michael’s site (9755 NE Juanita Dr).   

Please participate by attending the hybrid Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 6:00pm when the Planning Commission will be collecting public testimony for consideration. See the Planning Commission agenda page for upcoming meeting information.  Staff will also hold an open-house before the meeting from 4:30 – 5:30 pm to answer questions and speak with curious community members. 

The draft amendments include an increase in residential capacity to support a mix of affordable and market-rate housing, improve access to everyday services, and seek to enhance connectivity and sustainability within the neighborhood.

Can’t make it? Submit your thoughts ahead of time to the Planning Commission at PlanningCommissioners@kirklandwa.gov.

Please contace LeAndra Baker-Lewis, llewis@kirklandwa.gov or 425-587-3265, with questions. 


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.  

For more opportunities to provide feedback to the City, please visit our Community Conversations page.

Meet the 2025 Celebrate Kirkland Parade Grand Marshal

The City of Kirkland is proud to announce longtime Little League volunteer John Chadwick as the 2025 Grand Marshal for the 26th Annual Celebrate Kirkland 4th of July Parade. 

“John has given so much of himself to this community and to generations of kids who found belonging and purpose through Little League,” said Kirkland Deputy Mayor Jay Arnold. “Having him as Grand Marshal for the Celebrate Kirkland Parade is a home run for Kirkland and perfect way to honor all he’s done.” 

Chadwick’s extraordinary dedication to youth sports spans more than five decades. During this time, he served 32 years as District Administrator for Washington District 9 and over two decades as Director of the Junior League Softball World Series. The tournament, which he helped launch and bring to Kirkland in 1998, has grown into an international event that draws teams from across the country and around the world. His leadership has elevated the visibility of girls sports and expanded meaningful opportunities for young athletes both locally and globally. 

“One of my favorite moments is when a former player stops me and says, ‘Hi Mr. Chadwick, I played in the Little League while you were District Administrator, and I enjoyed it very much,’” said John Chadwick. “As adults, we need to remember it's all about the kids. That’s what makes even a small role in Little League feel so rewarding.” 

Beyond his work with the World Series, Chadwick helped establish Senior Baseball and Little League Softball programs and mentored countless volunteers across the Eastside. His vision and hard work helped grow local leagues and cement Kirkland’s reputation as a city that supports youth, equity, and community spirit. He continues to serve as Director Emeritus of the Junior League Softball World Series Committee. Throughout his journey, John’s late wife Ann volunteered alongside him, offering years of dedicated service and setting an example of community involvement. 

The Junior League Softball World Series kicks off on July 25, 2025 with a Celebrity Game and Movie in the Park (“A League of Their Own”). 

The City invites the community to join in the celebration on July 4 and give a warm wave of appreciation to Grand Marshal John Chadwick as he leads the parade through downtown Kirkland. 

Walk, Shop, Dine, Unwind

Are you pumped for fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, hand crafted confections, beverages, and other local offerings? We are! This is opening week for our farmers markets! Come on down each Wednesday for the Kirkland Wednesday Market and each Friday for the Juanita Friday Market. Rain or shine, both markets are open from 3 to 7 p.m.

The first 50 visitors to the Juanita Friday Market Info Booth on June 6 will receive a FREE tote bag!

Take an escape from stress and enjoy a scenic walk through the park, shop and support local businesses, and enjoy hot food with local vendors! Come make a real connection with our community and enjoy all Kirkland has to offer. 

Join Kirkland's Lifesaving Network

It’s CPR and AED Awareness Week, a great reminder that bystander CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival during sudden cardiac arrest. The City of Kirkland is a PulsePoint-connected community, which means CPR-trained residents can receive alerts when someone nearby needs help, so lifesaving action can begin before first responders arrive.

If you’re trained in CPR, download the free PulsePoint app and be ready to help when seconds count. You can also use the app to locate nearby AEDs, which are key tools in restarting a heart. Find an upcoming CPR training class: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Fire-Department/Public-Education/CPR-Class.

National Gun Violence Awareness Day

This Friday, June 6, is National Gun Violence Awareness Day, also known as Wear Orange Day. It's a time to honor those lost to gun violence and raise awareness about prevention.

The movement began in memory of Hadiya Pendleton, a high school student who was shot and killed on a playground in Chicago in 2013. Orange was her favorite color. Since then, orange has been the defining color of the gun violence prevention movement. Whether it’s worn by students on the west coast, activists on the east coast, or Hadiya’s loved ones in Chicago, the color orange honors the lives that have been cut short by gun violence.

In Kirkland, this commitment to safety includes free firearm safety education, gun locks, and the Guns for Gift Cards program, which has collected over 225 unwanted firearms since 2022. These efforts are supported by Proposition 1, passed by voters in 2018, and reflect the City’s ongoing work to promote responsible gun ownership while helping prevent accidental injuries, suicides, and violence. Learn more about Police Prop 1 investments on the City's website.

The Easiest Way to Be Part of Something Big This 4th of July

Been thinking about signing up to volunteer at Celebrate Kirkland? It's not too late! 

Volunteers are in the heart of the action and help make the 4th of July unforgettable. There’s a role for everyone. Whether you’re a solo superstar or showing up with friends or family (volunteers must be ages 16+), we’d love to have you on the team. 

Not sure what to expect? It’s easier than you think — and way more fun than you imagined. Join the action, meet great people, and help bring the magic to life. 

Sign up now: https://bit.ly/43U7IU7

Volunteer Roles at a Glance: 

  • Parade Route Monitors (9am–2pm): Help manage your section of the parade route and keep the crowd energized and safe. 
  • Veterans Parade Hosts & Parking Assistants (8am–2pm): Greet and guide our honored veterans, assist with their parade prep, and manage special parking areas. 
  • Auxiliary Tent Helpers (9am–2pm): Set up the info tent, answer questions, and direct people to event details — bilingual volunteers encouraged! 
  • Kids Giveaway & Decorating Station (9am–12pm): Set up and run the bike/stroller decorating station, hand out swag, and send off the cutest parade ever. 
  • Grandstand & Midway Crew (9am–2pm): Assist emcees and staff, manage awards info, and help with setup and decorations. 
  • Street Décor Team (July 3, 5–8pm): Help decorate the parade route with festive flair. 
  • And more...Learn more at kirklandwa.gov/CelebrateKirkland

Park Easier in Downtown

Planning a trip downtown? Save time by checking our new pilot map that shows real-time parking availability in key downtown areas — including the Central Business District; Lakeshore, Lake and Central parking lots; Houghton Beach Park, and Marsh Park.

The map updates every minute and helps you spot open parking before you even leave home. You’ll find details on:

  • Which lots or block faces have spaces available
  • Parking supply, rules, and pricing
  • Real-time occupancy data
  • Easy links to directions and Google Street View

How it works:

In July 2023, the City installed in-ground sensors by eleven-X to track parking occupancy and turnover. These sensors use magnetic sensing to detect when cars enter or leave a space — no cameras, no personal data. The result? A quick, privacy-friendly way to help drivers find open parking.

Check the real-time map before your next visit: kirklandwa.gov/parknow

It’s one more way we’re making it easier to enjoy all that downtown Kirkland has to offer.

Make a Difference on Our Court Team

Are you organized, detail-oriented, and passionate about justice? The City of Kirkland is hiring a Judicial Specialist to support our high-performing Municipal Court. You'll work directly with judges, attorneys, and community members while helping to deliver fair and efficient court services.

This role comes with incredible benefits—including 100% City-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums—and the chance to make a meaningful impact in a supportive and inclusive workplace. Learn more and apply at https://www.kirklandwa.gov/jobs

Traffic Alerts

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 more 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 a single northbound lane reduction on 98th Avenue Northeast from the Forbes Creek Bridge to Northeast 110th Street as Kirkland’s contractor builds new sidewalk to connect to the neighborhood with Market Street. Additionally, a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) will be added by this project to the Market Street intersection with 19th Avenue/19th Avenue West crossing. Work at both these locations 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. This project is on schedule to be finished in June. 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.

Juanita Drive

Drivers will 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. 

Upcoming Events

Kirkland Teen Union Building Open House

Date: Tuesday, June 10 

Time: 6:30 - 8 p.m. 

Location: KTUB, 348 Kirkland Ave

Learn about summer programming and more at the upcoming KTUB Open House.

Tour the building, receive information and resources from community partners, learn about on-site services we provide via our partners YES (Youth Eastside Services) and 4 Tomorrow, register your teens for our recreation programs, and get to know the KTUB team.

Learn more


With so much to do this summer, don’t forget to make time to save a life. Blood donations help patients fighting cancer, recovering from trauma, and undergoing surgeries right here in our local hospitals—and your single donation can make a big difference.

Sign up to donate blood at Kirkland City Hall on June 24 or 25 and then enter to win a 3-day, pet-friendly PNW getaway and enter to win a chance at a $3,000 prepaid digital gift card!


For more events from the City, visit our Community Events page. For up to date happenings around Kirkland, visit ExploreKirkland.com/Events.  

Want a monthly Events Guide delivered to your inbox? Sign up for our Events Newsletter.  


Video Spotlight

From grab-and-go kits to staying in touch during a crisis, our Emergency Preparedness team shares how to get ready—step by step. Watch the video.