Kirkland plans affordable housing, city services at newly purchased Houghton Village shopping area

The metropolis of Kirkland ideas to redevelop the recently obtained Houghton Village shopping place with a aim on inexpensive housing and community companies.

The $14 million acquire with an eye toward housing and general public expert services is the 1st of its type in Kirkland and, city officers say, reflects in component how the metropolis is getting ready for an influx of expansion and development on the Eastside. The Kirkland Metropolis Council voted previously this month to start off soliciting enter from residents on the long term use of the website.

The house, which the city purchased very last month, has 17,530 square ft of constructing place on 2.2 acres in south Kirkland at 10702 N.E. 68th St.

Houghton Village had been anchored by PCC Local community Markets, but the regional food items cooperative shut that area earlier this 12 months. The town purchased the website from a Kirkland proprietor who obtained the residence in 1988, in accordance to King County assets records.

The metropolis paid for the shopping spot making use of a three-year interfund personal loan and programs to come up with a extensive-term financing system for when the personal loan expires.

Beth Goldberg, Kirkland’s deputy town supervisor for functions, reported it will get at minimum 3 many years to finalize the redevelopment strategies. There are about 10 tenants, like a teriyaki cafe, cat rescue and dry cleaner, and the city has explained to them they are welcome to continue to be, Goldberg mentioned.

City officials haven’t made the decision what sorts of service providers may be housed at the new growth, or what threshold they’ll use to ascertain “affordable” housing in an spot in which the regular rent for a one particular-bed room condominium is $2,000.  

“It is dependent on what we hear from the community,” Goldberg stated.

City officials have pressured, having said that, that the advancement won’t be applied for permanent supportive housing, like the La Quinta Inn & Suites that King County bought earlier this yr to offer sponsored housing for individuals who are chronically homeless. That plan has been fulfilled with criticism from some family members of college students at close by colleges.