Issaquah Highlands - 2013

ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS

A Complete, Sustainable Community to Live, Work and Play Vibrant urban village reflects 20 years of community building

S

City of Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger, community leaders and representatives of Safeway celebrate the opening of Issaquah Highlands’ new grocery store. PHOTO BY JULIE CLEGG

“Issaquah Highlands set the high-water mark for development. We will never again see the old days of development because people now know what excellence looks like. Port Blakely risked being the leader, but it’s the risk takers that change the world.

They are the people who have the sense they can do something extraordinary and this community is extraordinary.”

– Ron Sims, former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development & King County Executive

Then: Issaquah Highlands’ first model homes welcome visitors in 1997.

Now: Today, Issaquah Highlands is a thriving urban village.

A snapshot of the Issaquah Highlands community by 2015 • Population: 9,000 • Businesses: More than 100 • Jobs: More than 2,000 • Total dwellings: 4,400 • Affordable housing: 995 dwellings • Permanent open space: Approx. 1,500 acres • Parks: 23

• Hiking trails: 10 miles • Protected wetlands: 120 acres • Retail, entertainment and dining: Up to 500,000 sq. ft.

• Commercial space: Up to 2,535,000 million sq. ft.

tewardship. Diversity. Contribute to the Good of the Region.

These are among the guiding principles that inspired the vision for Issaquah Highlands. In the early 1990s, Port Blakely Communities embarked on a 20-year journey to transform the way communities develop land. Working together with experts, civic leaders, government agencies, and local residents, Port Blakely created a master plan for an urban village that emphasized walkability, sustainability, economic vitality, and community building.

Following two decades of development activity, the vision has “What I enjoy most about become reality: Issaquah Highlands is Today, Issaquah the closeness and Highlands, as it nears convenience of so many completion, things. I moved to is one of the Issaquah Highlands when nation’s model all of this was just a master-planned blueprint for a developer c om mu n it i e s named Port Blakely. with a Today it is reality.” small town – Sondi Lind, resident atmosphere that residents value. The final phase of development has introduced another dimension to live, work and play, including 1,800 additional new jobs in the community. The grocery store and breadth of retail offerings complete the community, providing desired services and conveniences to both residents and visitors alike.

Building Issaquah Highlands has tapped into the talents and skills of thousands of people who lent their hearts, hands and minds as community builders. From vision and planning, to design, construction and volunteering, creating community at Issaquah Highlands has been a collaborative effort.

The strong sense of community cultivated by these community builders will continue to be among the greatest assets of Issaquah Highlands for generations to follow.

www.IssaquahHighlands.com

2

A Model for New Urbanism

Issaquah Highlands is a model for walkable neighborhoods. But most of all, New Urbanism, a land use and urban it embraced a strong sense of community.

More than 20 years after planning concept that promotes walkable neighborhoods containing groundbreaking, Issaquah Highlands is the Pacific Northwest’s largest Built a range of housing and job types.

Green community: one Once known as that integrates homes Grand Ridge, initial “Responsible development requires a and schools, public zoning called for only responsible developer with a sense amenities, a healthcare one home per five-acre of commitment and a willingness to campus, a shopping and lot across the original stick it out to make sure that what’s entertainment district, 2,200 acres. But Port promised is actually delivered. You small businesses and Blakely Communities, services, a Park & Ride, which acquired the have it in Port Blakely Communities 10 miles of hiking land in 1989, had a to the highest extent possible. They trails, and 100 acres for different approach – a had an unusual ability, unusual for parks and sports fields. vision that inspired developers and builders as a rule, to Hundreds of people two decades of see around the bend, to see over the come to work every day green building and horizon and to recognize that what at Issaquah Highlands, established Issaquah they’re doing is going to be here for joining many residents Highlands as one of a long, long time and therefore, it’s who work in home the most advanced important to get it right.” offices.

Enriching development models – Rob McKenna, former Attorney the fabric of the in the country.

General of the State of Washington community, volunteers The community’s and member of Metropolitan foster a strong sense evolution has King County Council of community, been more than a continuing a tradition development project. of giving back. From It encompassed the creation of a town with businesses and vision to reality, Issaquah Highlands shops, schools and recreation opportunities, has become a thriving urban village infrastructure and services, and compact, where people live, work and play.

Ron and Nina Milliagan, and Carl and Lacey Leigh, represent many pioneering residents who have led, influenced and supported Issaquah Highlands’ growth.

Community Builders

The innovative development of Issaquah Highlands succeeded because of the strong spirit of collaboration and shared vision between Port Blakely Communities and dozens of Community Builders. These individuals, companies and organizations contributed toward building the community. Thank you to all whose expertise, passion, innovation and stewardship have made a lasting difference in building Issaquah Highlands.

Issaquah Highlands: The Evolution of Building A Town 2004 • Issaquah Highlands welcomes 1,000th resident

1995 • Port Blakely concentrates development in only 734 acres

1989 • Port Blakely purchases land known as Grand Ridge

• Port Blakely dedicates more that 1,400 acres as permanent open space

2006

• Central Park Phase I opens • 8,000 visitors tour Built Green Idea Home to learn about green building

1998 • First residents move in • Fiber optic network launches service

2003 1997 1990 • Five-year public planning process begins

1996 • Construction begins on first homes

• Port Blakely & City of Issaquah create Evergreen Builders Guide, the precursor to Built Green

• Sunset I-90 Interchange opens • Firehouse #73 opens

2005

• Port Blakely founds Highlands Council

• Port Blakely donates Blakely Hall to community

3

Key Partners

Issaquah Highlands Community Association Board, staff & volunteers

The development of Issaquah Highlands marked a transformational period for the City of Issaquah and King County, and was only possible because of the public-private partnerships created to benefit the public. Key public sector partners who collaborated in building community at Issaquah Highlands include: City of Issaquah

Issaquah School District Issaquah Schools Foundation Highlands Council Trustees, staff & volunteers King County Executives, Council Members, staff & advisory committees

Washington State Department of Transportation

King County Washington State Department of Ecology King County Metro Transit

Federal Highway Administration Sound Transit

A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH)

Puget Sound Energy

Bellevue College

Community Assets

Calthorpe Associates

As the community grew, Port Blakely Communities developed infrastructure and amenities that today serve as community assets. Port Blakely’s dedicated team of employees collaborated with many partners to build assets that benefit both Issaquah Highlands and the region. These include:

City of Issaquah Mayors, City Council members, committee members & staff Consultants, architects, designers & engineers Dahlin Group

Life Enrichment Options (LEO) Master Builders Assoc. of King & Snohomish Counties Merchants of Starpoint Shops and The Shops at Issaquah Highlands Microsoft Mountains to Sound Greenway Pomegranate Center Port Blakely Communities staff, consultants & contractors

Blakely Hall community center

Davis Wright Tremaine

Highlands Fiber Network

Eastside Fire & Rescue

Regency Centers & merchants of Grand Ridge Plaza

Forterra (Cascade Land Conservancy)

Residents & community volunteers of Issaquah Highlands

Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce

Shelter Resources

I-90 Sunset Interchange

“The lesson of Issaquah Highlands is that building a truly great town — this is a town, it’s not a project — takes time. We tend to be impatient and want the vision to be realized very quickly. However, it’s naturally incremental.”

Firehouse #73 Park & Ride Grand Ridge Elementary YWCA Family Village Community Garden 10 miles of paths and trails More than 20 parks, soccer fields and sports courts

– Peter Calthorpe, pioneering architect and national urban planner

Habitat for Humanity

Swedish/Issaquah and healthcare providers

Homebuilders, subcontractors & commercial developers

Washington State Federal & State elected officials

Hyatt & Stubblefield, P.C.

YWCA of Seattle, King, Snohomish

2008

• Grand Ridge Elementary opens

• Starpoint Shops at Village Green completed

2012

• Final phase of development begins with more than $750 million construction investment from 2008 to 2013

• Habitat for Humanity completes 10 homes

2014

• Grand Ridge Plaza breaks ground

• Landowners continue to develop commercial and residential properties

• Life Enrichment Options adult family home completed

• 1,000 car Park & Ride opens

2009 • Proliance Highlands Medical Center opens

2011 • More than 10,000 people tour zHome zero-energy neighborhood • Central Park completed

2007 • Shops at Issaquah Highlands open

• Park Pointe agreement preserves 140 acres of forested land

• Swedish/Issaquah hospital opens • YWCA Family Village and Bright Horizons childcare center open • Port Blakely transitions IHCA governance to residents • Bellevue College purchases 20 acres for campus

2013 • Grand Ridge Plaza • Highlands Council acquires opens community’s fiber • Port Blakely optic network: transitions Highlands Fiber Highlands Council Network to stakeholder • Port Blakely leadership Communities • Microsoft sells 63 completes acres adjacent to master developer Grand Ridge Plaza agreement commitments

4

5

Grand Ridge Plaza: Issaquah Highlands’ Shopping and Entertainment Destination

RESTAURANT GUIDE Featuring contemporary Mexican cuisine & fine tequilas.

New retail district opens

With more than 35 shops and services, as well as 14 restaurants and cafés to choose from, Grand Ridge Plaza is quickly establishing a reputation as “We were attracted to the a shopping and Highlands for its fantastic entertainment accessibility, the existing strong destination.

The sense of community and our unique combination commitment to continue of merchants such framing for all of Issaquah, as Opal Boutique, Sammamish and beyond.”

PinkaBella Cupcakes – Phil Carpenter, and HomeGoods manager & design draws visitors from consultant, Frame Central across the Eastside, who also enjoy cuisine ranging from burgers to Asian fusion, as well as pizza, sandwiches and ice cream – plus a night at the movies.

A Village Atmosphere Issaquah Highlands is the inspiration for Grand

Ridge Plaza’s design. With the community’s streetscapes and pedestrian paths in mind, Seattlebased Fuller Sears Architects and developer Regency Centers created a village atmosphere

for Grand Ridge Plaza – a walkable setting that features 10,000-square-feet of open-air pavilions and gathering places.

Anchored by Safeway and Regal “There is a strong feeling Cinemas, the new of community at Issaquah retail destination Highlands. The master plan serves the residents of fosters a friendly atmosphere Issaquah Highlands that has created a unique and the surrounding sense of place and a area, providing daily neighborhood feeling. goods and services, We’re honored to be part entertainment, dining of this beautiful community.” and a variety of – Craig Ramey, merchandise. Safeway senior vice president, opened on October senior market officer, 25, meeting developer Regency Centers Regency Center’s goal to bring a full-service grocery store to the community.

Regency Centers is one of the nation’s largest developers and operators of neighborhood grocery and destination shopping centers, including 18 in Oregon and Washington.

“What I love most about Issaquah Highlands is the walkability.

There seems to be parks on every corner along with plenty of coffee shops, restaurants, and more…. This is awesome!”

– Kyle Reynolds, resident

Serving Japanese & Korean cuisine, plus sushi.

Featuring authentic Thai cuisine.

Serving super premium ice cream, frozen yogurt & sorbet.

Featuring seafood fare with a Northwest twist.

Coffee roaster serving handcrafted baked goods.

Specializing in distinctive Asian dishes & sushi.

Serving freshly-made gourmet sandwiches.

Featuring individual artisan-style pizzas.

Gourmet cupcake boutique.

Featuring fine American cuisine & a global wine selection.

Classic coffeehouse with drive-thru window.

Serving sandwiches, salads & breakfast.

Featuring burgers, beers & sports.

Grand Opening Celebrations: Nov. 16 & 17 Santa Arrives at Grand Ridge Plaza: Dec. 6, 6 pm facebook.com/GrandRidgePlaza

4

5

Grand Ridge Plaza: Issaquah Highlands’ Shopping and Entertainment Destination

RESTAURANT GUIDE Featuring contemporary Mexican cuisine & fine tequilas.

New retail district opens

With more than 35 shops and services, as well as 14 restaurants and cafés to choose from, Grand Ridge Plaza is quickly establishing a reputation as “We were attracted to the a shopping and Highlands for its fantastic entertainment accessibility, the existing strong destination.

The sense of community and our unique combination commitment to continue of merchants such framing for all of Issaquah, as Opal Boutique, Sammamish and beyond.”

PinkaBella Cupcakes – Phil Carpenter, and HomeGoods manager & design draws visitors from consultant, Frame Central across the Eastside, who also enjoy cuisine ranging from burgers to Asian fusion, as well as pizza, sandwiches and ice cream – plus a night at the movies.

A Village Atmosphere Issaquah Highlands is the inspiration for Grand

Ridge Plaza’s design. With the community’s streetscapes and pedestrian paths in mind, Seattlebased Fuller Sears Architects and developer Regency Centers created a village atmosphere

for Grand Ridge Plaza – a walkable setting that features 10,000-square-feet of open-air pavilions and gathering places.

Anchored by Safeway and Regal “There is a strong feeling Cinemas, the new of community at Issaquah retail destination Highlands. The master plan serves the residents of fosters a friendly atmosphere Issaquah Highlands that has created a unique and the surrounding sense of place and a area, providing daily neighborhood feeling. goods and services, We’re honored to be part entertainment, dining of this beautiful community.” and a variety of – Craig Ramey, merchandise. Safeway senior vice president, opened on October senior market officer, 25, meeting developer Regency Centers Regency Center’s goal to bring a full-service grocery store to the community.

Regency Centers is one of the nation’s largest developers and operators of neighborhood grocery and destination shopping centers, including 18 in Oregon and Washington.

“What I love most about Issaquah Highlands is the walkability.

There seems to be parks on every corner along with plenty of coffee shops, restaurants, and more…. This is awesome!”

– Kyle Reynolds, resident

Serving Japanese & Korean cuisine, plus sushi.

Featuring authentic Thai cuisine.

Serving super premium ice cream, frozen yogurt & sorbet.

Featuring seafood fare with a Northwest twist.

Coffee roaster serving handcrafted baked goods.

Specializing in distinctive Asian dishes & sushi.

Serving freshly-made gourmet sandwiches.

Featuring individual artisan-style pizzas.

Gourmet cupcake boutique.

Featuring fine American cuisine & a global wine selection.

Classic coffeehouse with drive-thru window.

Serving sandwiches, salads & breakfast.

Featuring burgers, beers & sports.

Grand Opening Celebrations: Nov. 16 & 17 Santa Arrives at Grand Ridge Plaza: Dec. 6, 6 pm facebook.com/GrandRidgePlaza

6

Building Community at Issaquah Highlands Vibrant Community At its heart, Issaquah Highlands recaptures the sense “Issaquah Highlands has helped of community life to reinforce the Issaquah brand prevalent when as a safe, healthy and prosperous most Americans community where people connect lived in small towns to what’s important…. family, friends, knowing your neighbors, along quiet streets, supporting local businesses, waving to their connecting with the community, neighbors on their enjoying the outdoors, front porches and and more. Issaquah Highlands is walked to school, the a local and regional gem that is store or the diner. a critical part of Issaquah’s long Building a strong term success as sense of community a Puget Sound area community.” is a founding value of – Matthew B. Bott, CEO, Issaquah Highlands, Issaquah Chamber of where organizations Commerce such as Highlands Council serve a key role in enriching day-to-day life, building a sense of connectedness among residents and businesses. The strong sense of community is fostered not only by people, but also by design principles that encourage social interaction and walkability, as well as diversity of housing choices and employment options. Shared experiences such as clubs and events, as well as volunteering, create a strong sense of belonging and community pride.

Living Green

“The Issaquah Highlands At Issaquah Highlands, Living community shares an important Green is a community mindset. value with Swedish: A deep-seated From the first residents and care for the health and well-being of our neighbors. This commitment to businesses to newcomers, the health is something we see every day people of Issaquah Highlands and it’s why Swedish’s partnership embrace a lifestyle that with the greater Issaquah emphasizes green construction community has been so successful.” and protecting the environment.

- Chuck Salmon, chief executive, Issaquah Highlands is home to Issaquah and Ambulatory many firsts in green building, Care Centers, Swedish including one of the most energy efficient hospitals in the country, Swedish/Issaquah.

More than 1,500 acres of permanent open space, and the extensive network of parks and trails, promote livability and vitality, fostering a connection between residents and the natural environment.

“I love doing business in Issaquah Highlands because I get to know the names of our regular customers. Owning a neighborhood business provides a level of connection with your customers that does not occur in a normal retail space.”

– Mark Mullet, owner, Zeeks Pizza and Ben & Jerry’s

7

Economic Vitality

PHOTO BY WILLIAM WRIGHT

Since groundbreaking, construction and development at Issaquah Highlands has captured a major share of regional growth, serving as an economic stimulus for the City of Issaquah and King County, while attracting new businesses and increasing revenue through building fees and taxes. As a result of “With its clearly stated values around partnerships with economic integration and City, County and environmental sustainability — State government, and its visionary urban village development spaces — Issaquah Highlands at Issaquah has successfully nurtured a diverse network of businesses, individuals Highlands funded and families and built extraordinary infrastructure community connections.” projects, physical amenities and – Sue Sherbrooke, CEO, the expansion YWCA of of services that Seattle-King-Snohomish contribute to the region. The regional economic benefit is strong with more than $750 million invested in construction during the community’s final phase of development from 2008 to 2013. This phase also resulted in the creation of more than 2,000 construction jobs, and an estimated 1,800 jobs at Swedish/Issaquah, Proliance Highlands Medical Center and Grand Ridge Plaza. In the years to come, Issaquah Highlands will continue to be an economic driver, “We are very pleased to have as construction established our dental office in continues and the heart of a friendly, close-knit organizations such community. In the years we’ve as Regency Centers, been here, we’ve seen Issaquah Bellevue College and Highlands evolve into a Swedish join some of neighborhood where you can the region’s leading trust and support one another.” homebuilders by – Drs. Shadi Araghi investing further in and Ray Besharati, owners, the community and Highlands Dentistry serving as catalysts for job growth.

Economic Impacts: 2008-2015 $750 million construction investment “We love all the available 2,000 construction jobs walking opportunities!”

1,800 new local jobs – Michael Dryja, resident Greater tax revenues for region Increased permit & fee revenue for City of Issaquah Source: Port Blakely Communities

8

A Legacy of Stewardship Dear Neighbors, This year marks a milestone for Port Blakely Communities: The fulfillment of the company’s role and commitments as master developer of Issaquah Highlands. As our work in the community comes to a close, we celebrate Issaquah Highlands’ natural beauty, economic vitality, diversity, strong sense of community, and its greatest asset, its people.

From our first days at Issaquah Highlands, we knew the community was unique not only in its vision and scale, but in the people, businesses and partners who together, approached development and construction in a new way. Their commitment to environmental stewardship has resulted in a vibrant community that is true to its guiding principles.

It is an honor to recognize the hundreds of people, businesses and civic leaders – as well as past Port Blakely Communities employees – who contributed to building Issaquah Highlands. the work of these Community Builders, which began in 1990 and continues today, ensures the balance between environmental stewardship and economic development achieved at Issaquah Highlands will have a lasting impact. Building Issaquah Highlands has been a truly collaborative effort that reflects clearly in the community today – and we thank you.

Let us celebrate what we have accomplished together and know that the legacy we leave behind will continue to shine for the generations ahead.

“What I really see at Issaquah Highlands is that strong sense of community, diversity, activity, engagement, and vibrancy.

You simply don’t see that on paper in a master plan. I hope that 50 or 100 years from now, building community in this way becomes second nature. But more than anything, I hope that the people and businesses here are still as engaged in their community as residents are today.”

– René Ancinas, president, Port Blakely Communities CEO, Port Blakely Companies The Employees of Port Blakely Communities

“Issaquah Highlands is a highly successful example of smart growth for our entire region. As we continue to grow in the Northwest, we must develop sustainable neighborhoods where you can live, work and play. The Highlands delivers on all three, all while preserving an amazing amount of our region’s treasured open space.”

– Ava Frisinger, mayor, City of Issaquah

Paid for by Port Blakely Communities and Regency Centers. www.IssaquahHighlands.com

“Port Blakely went above and beyond the call of duty in working with the residents to create a close knit community that cared for each other and the environment. They ensured the local school had its place at the center of the community, demonstrating to all the importance they placed on education. Their enduring legacy will be a multi-year environmental stewardship program in the Mountains to Sound Greenway for our high school students.”

– Robin Callahan, executive director, Issaquah Schools Foundation

Of the original 2,200 acres available for development at Issaquah Highlands, Port Blakely Communities dedicated more than 1,500 acres as permanent open space.