The Issaquah Press
Atlas from page A1
mitment to protect the parcel from flooding and follow the city’s guidelines. The redevelopers plan to extend the bank of Issaquah Creek, raise the grading on which the buildings will stand and dig a swale through the property, which Grainger said will guide flood waters to the outlet on the other side of the property. Additionally, since the redevelopment will mark the first test of the Central Issaquah Plan, he pointed out the many ways in which the plan sought to realize the city’s vision for the future. “We love the green necklace piece of the Central Issaquah Plan,” Grainger said. “We’re happy to include a pocket park, a shared-use trail and an attractive landscape as a part of our package.” The addition of almost 350 residential units to the area would certainly affect traffic. To address that impact, Granger said the developers will add a new traffic signal on Northwest Gilman Boulevard. “Because of the increased traffic, we are installing a new signal at Seventh and Gilman and
Chad Magendanz hosts telephone town hall Rep. Chad Magendanz, RIssaquah, hosts a telephone town hall for 5th Legislative District residents from
new turn lanes — we’re actually removing the median through this area to create new turn lanes,” he said. “Other new street improvements along Seventh Avenue will include new sidewalks, a new bus stop relocation, and we’re actually introducing a new trail following the swale and crossing a foot bridge.” Public reaction during the latest meeting was more positive than the comments given during previous Rivers & Streams Board presentations. “I’ve been a vendor at one of the businesses that will be displaced by this development,” Kay Johnson said, praising the plans. “I thought the landscaping was absolutely fabulous and I think it’s going to be such a huge improvement. I think people are going to love it.” Her sentiments were repeated by most of those who stood to speak. “I’ve been working at the antiques mall on the site for about two years now,” resident Ethan Sherrard said. “I think the project is very exciting, I think there’s been a lot of consideration to amenities.” A few brought up the removal of retail from the parcel, worried that the new space would not provide any jobs. However, flood hazards continued
to top the list of public concerns. “This is a site I walk by every day and I understand what’s been done to protect the building from water,” resident Blake Flood said. “I have my doubts. I know professionals are involved, but I’m in the construction industry and I’ve seen some things. If water gets in there, you’re impacting potentially 300 people.” City Project Oversight Manager Christopher Wright said the permit will be officially approved in the next week or two. Afterward, the permit will enter a two-week appeal period before being issued to the developers. He said Lennar can apply for construction permits at any time. Commission members thanked the architects and developers for the consideration of Issaquah’s vision. “I think this is a catalyst for the Central Issaquah Plan,” Development Commission member Randy Harrison said. “It’s the start. It’s going to be looked at and people will provide all kind of comments about how they love it, how they may not like it so much and what we could have done better. But I appreciate all the work that’s gone into it and the risks that you’ve taken.”
6:30-7:30 p.m. May 14. The toll-free number to join the event is 800276-6108. During the call, listeners can press the star (*) key to ask a question. Magendanz will update
listeners on the recently concluded legislative session and the issues on which he’s working. Learn more about Magendanz at www.representativechadmagendanz.com.
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cedes Benz. “She was a year ahead of me, so I couldn’t catch up with a Mercedes,” he said. “I just moved back to the community, and one of the first people I met was John Glenn. “People sometimes say their names apologetically, when it is unique, and I say I’m not making fun of their name, as my name is Oscar Myre,” he added. “That kind of opens it up and people want to share their woes about being called this or that.” One thing parents can’t predict when naming a child is what the kids on the school ground are going to do with it.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014 • “I went to school with the same kids, so they were over it by the second grade. No nicknames, just the song,” IV said. “Some people really apologize nowadays, but they can’t resist singing the song, even today. It’s fine. “At Liberty, I think it was my junior or senior year, we had a substitute teacher who was reading roll call and he said, ‘Oscar Myre, I bet you’ve had a lot of flack for your name growing up.’” I said, “What could you be talking about. I have no idea.” The class was quiet and the teacher said, “People don’t pick on you for your name?” “No, why would they do that?” IV responded. “There’s a meat packing company in the Midwest by that name,” the teacher said.
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“’Oh really?’ I said. ‘I hadn’t heard of that.’ He went on to the next person and the class erupted.” IV said his parents knew what could go on at a school ground and offered to let him use his middle name, Robert. “Robert, or Bob, is a fine name, but I was never a Robert or a Bob,” he said. “There has been fun made, but I’ve had a heck of a lot more fun with the name.” When asked how the name might impact his son, IV said the Oscar Mayer products have changed over the years. The company has dropped the wiener song and the bologna song, and the modern school student is going to be more familiar with Lunchables. “Kids will look at it differently by the time he is in middle or high school,” IV said.