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Leases terminated for most Totem Lake Malls’ businesses Many stores looking to stay in Totem Lake area, Ross and Trader Joe’s to remain BY TJ MARTINELL tmartinell@kirklandreporter.com
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n 1974, Denny’s Pet World was the first business to sign a lease in the upper section of the Totem Lake Malls. Now, 41 years later, the store and many other businesses in the upper and lower mall are leaving in anticipation of the long-awaited redevelopment. According to several business owners the
Reporter spoke to, almost all of the businesses have had their leases terminated. Owner John Fleshman first started working at the pet store when he was 14, later purchasing the business from his brother, Dennis Fleshman. He described the malls during the 1970s and 1980s as packed, with the storefronts 100 percent occupied compared to the all-but empty spaces it has
now. While Fleshman said the malls have been in need of an upgrade, it also means a permanent departure for stores like Denny’s Pet World, which have been at the mall for 41 years. “It’s kind of a bummer,” he said. By November, they plan to open their new location at 13123 NE 124th Street across from Toyota of Kirkland, while keeping
their current store open until January. “We just hope everyone will find us,” he said. For many of their loyal customers, the announcement has come as a shock, though Fleshman said among the business owners the talk of redevelopment has been going on for years. In fact, he said he has plans from nearly a decade ago by the previous developers. In 2004, [ more LEASES page 3 ]
The My Home store in Kirkland’s Totem Lake Malls is currently having a closing sale and plans to move to a new location as the property owners prepare for redevelopment. TJ MARTINELL, Kirkland Reporter
Race for King County Council pits long-time incumbent against Bellevue mayor BY TJ MARTINELL tmartinell@kirklandreporter.com
In the race for the King County Council seat in District 6 between incumbent Jane Hague and Bellevue Mayor Claudia Balducci, both are touting their ability to collaborate. And while Hague has name recognition and a long record on the council, Balducci’s own accomplishments are getting the attention of voters and elected officials alike. “I know how to get things done,” Hague said. “And my records shows that.” Hague has been serving on the county council since 1994. Before that, she served as the manager of records and elections for King County and, like Balducci, has served on the Bellevue City Council. “I love the Eastside,” Hague said. “I am excited about the growth of the Eastside and changing demographics and the ability to leverage that into making the Eastside a regional powerhouse. This is a job that is exciting and ever-changing,
and I’m always looking at ways to solve new problems.” One of the main issues that both seem to want to tackle is transportation on the Eastside. Hague is co-chair of the Regional Advisory Council, along with Dow Costantine, for the Eastside Rail Corridor, which is owned and managed by King County, the cities of Kirkland and Redmond, Sound Transit, and Puget Sound Energy. The Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC) runs through the Kirkland section of the ERC. “To see that it embraces livability, transportation, and economic viability, is really exciting,” she said. “The connections are wonderful.” One of the major changes in the community, she said, is on the issue of a light rail. “Back in the day when I ran for Bellevue, you couldn’t say the words ‘light rail’ and get elected in this town,” she said. “And by 10 years you couldn’t run and not be in favor of light rail. I think I am better aligned with that.” [ more COUNCIL page 12 ]
Many families joined the fun as Google and the city of Kirkland hosted a celebration for the opening of the recreational area on the Cross Kirkland Corridor between the two Google buildings in Kirkland. TJ MARTINELL, Kirkland Reporter
Play time at Google BY TJ MARTINELL tmartinell@kirklandreporter.com
Google and the city of Kirkland, along with Kirkland residents, celebrated the opening of a recreational space Tuesday along the
Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC) that city officials hope will be replicated elsewhere on the trail. The recreation space, located near Google’s campus at 747 6th St South, includes a sand volleyball court, basket-
New recreation area on Cross Kirkland Corridor opens with a party ball court, Crossfit/TRX fitness section and zip line where the corridor runs between Google’s Kirkland campuses. It represents not just a $3 million investment by Google, but also its growing relationship
with the city, which first started when Google moved to Kirkland in 2004. Darcy Nothnagle, head of External Affairs for Google’s Northwest Region, said they were [ more GOOGLE page 7 ]