Kirkland is going to start clear-cutting trees next to homes on July 18th.
Starting July 18th, the City will begin cutting down trees along the south side of 85th Street to break ground on a year-long construction project to build an elevated pedestrian walkway.
The City will also close the section of the Cross Kirkland Corridor that passes under 85th Street, forcing cyclists and pedestrians to detour through 7th Avenue.
The construction zone directly borders homes on 5th Avenue, and much of the area between 85th Street and Kirkland Way is residential. Planning for this major project started over 3 years ago, yet signs about the closures and impact were only put up in the last 2 weeks!
Your neighbors in Moss Bay and Norkirk have already endured heavy construction and countless detours on 85th Street. Now the City is bringing their saws and earthmovers right next to our bedrooms. We're deeply concerned about the disruption this will cause to our sleep, our commutes, our use of public trails, and our overall quality of life.
To the Kirkland City Council: Please do not sacrifice the quality of life of your neighbors in the name of capital improvements. We deserve input, to be informed, and real protection from noise, traffic, and environmental impact.
To our neighbors: This is an election year--let's make our voices heard. Email the City Council, attend public meetings, and speak up. Demand a plan that puts us first.
