Kirkland Neighborhood News: City and Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance partnership adds 6 acres of greenbelt

Feb. 6, 2013

City of Kirkland - Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance
JOINT NEWS RELEASE

Contacts:
Jenny Gaus, Public Works Department
jgaus@kirklandwa.gov
425-587-3850
www.kirklandwa.gov
https://twitter.com/kirklandgov

Scott Morris, President
Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance
scott@finnhillalliance.org
206-972-9493
www.finnhillalliance.org

February 6, 2013

City and Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance partnership adds 6 acres of greenbelt
City purchases property at auction

KIRKLAND, Wash. – Always on the lookout for ways to preserve, protect and restore the natural environment of the Finn Hill Neighborhood, members of the Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance (FHNA) successfully convinced the City to buy a 6-acre greenbelt in the eastern portion of the neighborhood.  Known on county tax records as the “Inglemoor Highlands Greenbelt,” the City purchased the privately-owned property in December 2012 for less than $5,000 at a King County Tax Foreclosure auction.  A tributary of Juanita Creek runs through a steep ravine within the greenbelt.  The undeveloped greenbelt runs west to east from 88th Ave/ NE to 100th Ave. NE.   On February 5, 2013 the City Council unanimously accepted the acquisition.

“We appreciate the efforts of the Neighborhood Alliance to bring the property to our attention,” recognizes Kurt Triplett, City Manager.  “It was a valuable deal not only in dollars but in environmental stewardship.” 

The property should have been deeded to King County in the late 1970s and would have been transferred to the City upon annexation.  When it was discovered that the property was in foreclosure and to be auctioned, the City bid to purchase it at the urging of FHNA.

“This is an important preservation effort for our neighborhood as it preserves the entire stream corridor that begins at 88th Avenue and flows east,” notes Jon Pascal, FHNA member who was key to the deal.

The property will be under the management of the City’s Surface Water Division.  On February 19, the City Council will consider an Interlocal Agreement with the Northshore Utility District  to allow the District easement rights to the sanitary sewer pump station for maintenance purposes.  For more information, contact Jenny Gaus, Surface Water Engineering Supervisor, Public Works Department at 425-587-3850 or jgaus@kirklandwa.gov.