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September 18, 2025
You won’t want to miss this conversation with Lucia Flores-Wiseman, Seattle singer-songwriter, The Voice finalist, and recipient of Kirkland’s Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation. She shares her journey and the soulful stories behind her voice.
Check it out.
The Kirkland City Council met on September 16, 2025. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting:
Council received a report on King County Wastewater Treatment Division seeking an emergency exemption from the City's permitting process to repair the Eastside Interceptor Section 14, which runs along the Cross Kirkland Corridor. The Eastside Interceptor conveys 10 million gallons of wastewater per day through Kirkland during dry season flows. King County repair operations will require a CKC trail closure, which is anticipated to begin as early as September 29. Council ratified the Emergency Proclamation that City Manager Kurt Triplett issued on September 15.
Council adopted co-living housing regulations, as required by state law.
Council adopted various miscellaneous code amendments that make minor revisions to various sections of the Kirkland Zoning Code and Kirkland Municipal Code. Every year, staff propose these miscellaneous code amendments relating to zoning and land use that are necessary to reflect current practice, clarify codes, maintain consistency with relevant State and/or federal regulations, and promote good planning principles.
Council proclaimed Freedom to Read Week, Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month, and Week Without Driving. Read more.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council held a Study Session starting at 5:30 p.m., where they discussed:
- An overview of the Kirkland Municipal Court's services
- An update on the Kirkland Fire Department's Mobile Integrated Health Program (MIH)
How to watch: Kirkland City Council meetings are streamed live and can be watched after the fact on the City's:
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 October 7, 2025.
As of 5:19 p.m. on September 16, 2025, Public Health – Seattle & King County is recommending that people and pets stay out of the water at the swimming areas of Houghton Beach Park for at least one week due to elevated bacteria levels. Signs will be positioned to indicate that people and pets should stay out of the water. The rest of Houghton Beach Park remains open.
Based on the same round of tests, Juanita Beach Park reopened as of 5:19 p.m. on September 16 for swimming, wading, and other water activities, by recommendation of Public Health – Seattle & King County.
Read more.
Kirkland City Manager Kurt Triplett issued an Emergency Proclamation on September 15 in response to King County’s declaration of urgency regarding work needed on the Eastside Interceptor, a regional wastewater pipeline that runs along the Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC). The Kirkland City Council ratified the Emergency Proclamation at the September 16 Council Meeting.
Read more.
The City of Kirkland is developing the Green Loop Implementation Plan to bring to life a longtime community vision: a continuous trail and open space corridor connecting parks, local and regional trails, and destinations in the Finn Hill and Juanita neighborhoods.
The Green Loop will expand access to nature and recreation while strengthening community connections. The Implementation Plan will determine where the Green Loop is located, what it looks like, and how it’s built -- guided by the people who live, work, and play in Kirkland.
Community members are invited to help shape the plan by completing an online survey and sharing ideas on the interactive public input map, available at www.kirklandwa.gov/GreenLoopPlan now through September 30, 2025.
“The Green Loop is more than just a trail, it’s a vision for how we connect with each other, our neighborhoods, and the outdoors,” said Councilmember John Tymczyszyn. “We want this project to reflect the creativity, priorities, and hopes of the community it will serve. Your feedback is essential to making that happen.”
The City will use community input to guide the Green Loop Implementation Plan and will provide additional opportunities for engagement as the project progresses.
Learn more about the Green Loop Implementation Plan and sign up for project updates at www.kirklandwa.gov/GreenLoopPlan
City of Kirkland Mayor Kelli Curtis proclaimed the week of September 29 through October 5 the Week Without Driving Week. The Week Without Driving event is an invitation for people who usually drive to experience what it’s like for non-drivers to get around. The challenge is to avoid driving for the week of Monday, September 29 through Sunday, October 5, 2025. The project is an opportunity for participants to encounter and understand the barriers that young people, seniors, people with disabilities, and people who can’t afford to drive face every day.
Instead of driving, those who take on the challenge will choose alternatives like rolling, walking, public transportation, and asking for rides. By getting out from behind the wheel, folks who usually drive will discover both the physical and practical difficulties of moving through an environment built for private vehicles. The goal is to not only get drivers to see the challenges of getting around without a car, but to start thinking about how to remove those obstacles. With some real-world transportation education, drivers and non-drivers can start working together to create accessible communities for everyone.
Get ready, Kirkland — Umbrella Fringe Festival is landing in town October 3–5, 2025, and it's going to turn the city into an open-air stage!
This isn’t your typical festival. Fringe festivals are about embracing the unusual, the daring, the raw. A place where theater, dance, comedy, music, spoken word, and multimedia art collide in imaginative and unexpected ways. There’s no jury to decide what’s "worthy" — everyone’s invited to shine.
What to Expect:
- Pop-up performances across downtown venues like Moss Bay Hall, Kirkland Arts Center, Kirkland Urban, and Peter Kirk Park.
- Live theater, dance, and comedy — plus immersive experiences that blur the line between audience and art.
- Moments to surprise, delight, and inspire.
Whether you’re an art lover, performance enthusiast, or just curious, the Umbrella Fringe is your invitation to explore creativity in its rawest form.
Mark your calendar and keep an eye out for the full lineup. This will be an unforgettable weekend in Kirkland!
Learn more at https://kirklandartscenter.org/kirkland-fringe-festival/
September is National Preparedness Month! Make time this week to start a conversation with your loved ones about your preparedness plans, outline how you’ll communicate, where you’ll meet, and when you’ll practice your disaster plan! Our website has a Family Communications Planning Guide to help get you started. Check out: https://kirklandwa.gov/MakeAPlan
Get Hands-On Training
Are you ready for a disaster? Join our upcoming CERT classes to learn essential emergency response skills. Five sessions for just $25! Register at kirklandparks.net under activity name “CERT” and class code 21803.
Love hunting for the best deals? Thrive on making sure every dollar counts? Geek out over bids, contracts, and big-picture purchasing wins? Then YOU might be the City of Kirkland’s next procurement superstar!
This isn’t just about paperwork, it's about keeping the City running, solving puzzles, and building great relationships with vendors and teams across Kirkland.
Why you will love it here:
- 100% City-paid medical, dental & vision premiums
- Retirement & generous paid leave
- Growth & training opportunities
- A collaborative team that values your work
Learn more and apply today at kirklandwa.gov/jobs.
What a day! 🌞 City Hall for All was bursting with energy, smiles, and community spirit. With more than 5,000 people in attendance, Kirkland truly showed up enjoying live performances, picking up 250 free trees, sipping 40 gallons of lemonade served by Council, and sharing in countless activities, moments, and connections.
We’re deeply grateful to our community members for making the day so fun, lively, and special. The community spirit was electric, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our local businesses, community partners, city staff, and the many volunteers who helped bring it all together.
Thank you for celebrating with us. We can’t wait to do it again next year!
Recently, members of the City Council and staff hosted a celebration lunch as a kick-off to Welcoming Week. The lunch served as a big “thank you” to the City’s various agency and community partners who helped make possible Kirkland being the first city in Washington state to be Certified Welcoming by Welcoming America.
Thank you to all who helped the City achieve this important milestone demonstrating Kirkland being a welcoming and belonging community for all!
I-405 and NE 70th Pl On-Ramp Weekend Closure
Heads up, Kirkland drivers! The southbound I-405 on-ramp at NE 70th Pl will be fully closed all weekend Sept. 19–22 for utility and pavement repair for the I-405 Renton to Bellevue project. Lane reductions stretch from Exit 17 (NE 70th) to I-90. Expect detours & delays. For more info, visit: wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/i-405renton-bellevue-widening-and-express-toll-lanes-project
Central Way Street Preservation
Base repairs throughout Central Way are scheduled to be complete Thursday, September 18. Night paving will follow, now expected the week of September 22. Night paving will close large sections of Central Way overnight on Monday and Tuesday, possibly Wednesday. Drivers will encounter detour routes and Uniformed Police Officers (UPO’s) at intersections as Lakeside Industries crews prepare the street for overlay. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/overlay for project updates on Thursdays.
Market Street @ 9th Avenue
Work on the Stores to Shores Greenway project may temporarily close one direction of Market Street around 9th Street to build the greenway facilities. This project is also working in the Highlands neighborhood on the Greenway route. Short detours will be posted onsite for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/storestoshores for project updates on Thursdays.
100th Avenue Northeast
Drivers will encounter traffic control at various locations along 100th Avenue Northeast for work on sidewalks, driveways, and plantings. Pavement markings will be applied along the new street, expected in September.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/100thavedesign for project updates on Thursdays.
Northeast 85th Street: I-405 to 6th Street
Northeast 85th Street is a single lane in each direction from I-405 to 6th Street for the NE 85th Street shared-use pathway project. The Cross Kirkland Corridor is closed at Northeast 85th Street to Northeast 87th Street. Work will begin on wall construction and the stormwater system near 6th Street, and continues on the bridge foundations.
Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/NE-85th-Street-Shared-Use-Pathway for project updates on Thursdays.
Northeast 85th Street: 122th Avenue Northeast to 120nd Avenue Northeast
On Northeast 85th Street east of I-405, daytime work will close a westbound lane on the north side of Northeast 85th Street between 120th Avenue Northeast and 122nd Avenue Northeast. Daytime work will reduce eastbound traffic to one lane between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Overnight, traffic will be impacted from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as Kirkland’s contractor upgrades the stormwater facilities and other utility work. Repairing concrete on the south side Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/NE-85th-Street-Eastbound-3rd-Lane for project updates on Thursdays.
Goat Hill
Kirkland's contractor will continue roadwork over the next few weeks. Residents should follow onsite traffic control for the most up to date information. As always, visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/goathill for project updates on Thursdays.
124th Avenue Northeast
Work continues on 124th Avenue Northeast, between Northeast 116th Street and Northeast 124th Street. A new signal at Northeast 120th Street will be turned on, and the hawk signal is expected to be operational the week of September 22. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/124thavenue for yes, project updates on Thursdays.
Additional Construction Projects
Find out about additional construction projects here.
Juanita Friday Market
Date: September 19 & 26
Time: 3 - 7 p.m.
Location: Juanita Beach Park, 9703 Juanita Dr NE
There are only two markets left of the market season! Seize the remainder of summer and grab some fresh fare while it's here.
Juanita Friday Market ends September 26.
Shop from our amazing local vendors:
- Farm-fresh veggies, fruit & berries, seasonal flowers
- Handmade candles, fresh baked breads, local honey
- Kettle corn, boiled peanuts, sno cones, fresh lemonade
- Driftwood wind chimes, hats, jewelry & artisan crafts -- all made in Washington!
ORCA Card Services Pop-Up
Date: Wednesday, September 24
Time: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Peter Kirk Community Center
Save the date for the next ORCA Card Services Pop-Up Event. The METRO team will be on-site at the Peter Kirk Community Center to assist with Regional reduced Fare Permits, Adult ORCA cards, replace lost or damaged cards, add fare value to existing ORCA cards, answer questions, and more.
This is a drop-in event, no registration is needed.
Harvest Festival
Date: October 4, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Juanita Beach Park, 9703 NE Juanita Drive
Activities include Rustic Bites Round Up, live music, artisan food and craft vendors, photo booths, and apple cider pressing. We’ll also have contests including pie eating, corn shucking, and an adult pickleball tournament, as well as the Kid's Korral with faux cow milking, ring toss, horseshoes, pumpkin bowling, crafts, and pony rides, plus a special visit from Gwendolyn the Cow.
In the spirit of Harvest, please show support by bringing a non-perishable food item to donate to those in need. Donations will be accepted in the food collection tent.
More information here.
Costume Swap
Date: Saturday, October 11
Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: Kirkland City Hall, 123 5th Ave
The annual City of Kirkland Costume Swap is back! This is a great opportunity to trade in old Halloween costumes and accessories for new-to-you costumes.
Please donate gently used and clean costumes, hats, masks, and accessories at North Kirkland Community Center (12421 103rd Ave NE) or Kirkland City Hall (123 5th Ave) the week of October 6th to 10th. Then attend the swap event on Saturday, October 11th to pick up your new-to-you costumes and accessories for you and your family!
To learn more about the swap, visit this page.
Fall Recycling Collection Event
Date: October 18, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Lake Washington Institute of Technology - South Parking Lot, 11605 132nd Ave NE
Do you have hard-to-recycle items piling up at home? Not sure what to do with them? Well, the Fall Recycling Collection Event can help you get rid of many of those items legally, safely, and without sending them to a landfill. Bring items like batteries, electronics, paper for shredding, scrap metal, and scrap wood for no charge. Other select items will be accepted for small fee.
For more information, visit this page.
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Let’s chat how you can be prepared when you aren’t near your two weeks of prepared supplies and can’t carry a larger preparedness bag with you!