Jun
27
Bad Sparky…The Dishwasher???
Filed Under Blog, Household Tips | 2 Comments
I recently came across some information that GE is doing a major recall of dishwashers. 2.5 million to be exact.
The reason for the recall: a wiring problem that could cause fires.
Somehow I missed this in the news previously (out busy enjoying the beautiful weather we were blessed with the past few weekends). In case you missed this important info too, King 5 has the story.
You can also get more information about the recall from the GE Recall Website.
I hope this is helpful and keeps you all safe.
Jun
21
REI Is Coming To Issaquah
Filed Under Blog, Issaquah, Issaquah Highlands, Other Development, Retail Development | 5 Comments
It is now official. Today REI announced they are opening a store in Issaquah. The store will be located in the Commons at Issaquah next to the Safeway where the Longs Drugs used to be located.
While I personally feel the Issaquah Highlands Lifestyle Center would have been a better fit for several reasons - easier access to I-90, easier access for Sammamish Plateau residents and potential for a larger store with closer access to trails for testing gear to name a few - I am happy to see that REI is puting a store in a location that is really Washington?s front door to outdoors (in my opinion).
So now that REI is out for the Issaquah Highlands, what outdoor company could possibly be next in the consideration set?
Jun
19
A Pool in Issauqah Highlands???
Filed Under Blog, Issaquah Highlands, Other Development | 4 Comments
As the lazy and warm days of summer approach us, I have to ask myself, where?s the pool?
I love Issaquah Highlands and am proud to make it my home. I am however, disappointed about the fact that there is no community swimming pool and I have always wondered why there isn?t one. Klahanie has two. Some say it?s impractical. Some say it?s uneconomical. Some say it?s a waste of space. The biggest concern I have heard from the folks in charge is the cost.
So what does it cost to have a pool in the community? There are two factors; initial development and annual operating cost.
I am going to pass on the initial development part for a minute and move straight to operating budget. Below is an example of what the annual operating budget of a similar type of amenity costs to maintain:
Expense Annual Cost
| Expenses |
Annual Cost |
| Operating Expenses |
Annual Cost |
| Utilities | $121,000 |
| Licenses and Insurance | $24,000 |
| Maintenance and Repairs | $12,000 |
| Chemicals | $8,500 |
| Janitorial Services | $3,500 |
| Misc | $41,000 |
| Operating Expense Total | $210,000 |
| Staff | Annual Cost |
| Pool Manager (3) | $105,000 |
| Lifeguards/Swim Instructors (4) | $75,500 |
| Pool Attendant (1) | $9,500 |
| Staff Total | $190,000 |
| Grand Total | $400,000 |
Couple of thoughts here about this budget. Three managers?!? Are you kidding me? How about just having one. That could save a ton right there. The lifeguards and pool attendant are all really interchangeable. At any given time there only needs to be two people working the facility. If the facility would offer swim lessons that would require more but we will get there in a second. As far as operating expenses go, the maintenance and repairs are higher than normal because this facility has older equipment that needs more frequent servicing. That old equipment also causes the utilities to be a bit higher than needed.
So based on some simple math, if there are 4000 houses in the Issaquah Highlands, that would equate to roughly $100 per year to staff and maintain and give free access. Most likely even less if we eliminated some of the overhead. That is still a bit high but this isn?t even accounting for any revenue opportunities from swim lessons, special events, renting out the facility to clubs or advertising.
The pool in comparison makes an additional $50,000 per year in revenue by having a vending machine, creating advertising opportunities and renting out the pool to clubs like WaterBabies.
Just with that small amount of revenue alone, we could reduce the cost down to $87.00 per year per household. Now factor in swim lessons (which all of the staff above can give) and other potential revenue opportunities I haven?t thought about and you could practically pay for the cost of the pool with almost no subsidy from the homeowners.
I would be surprised if our community was not able to support a pool. I would be even more surprised if there wasn?t an interest in having a pool here in the community. With so many children, I am sure there are a number of families that would love the easy access to swim lessons and splashing around.
In the meantime, Julies Bohem Pool is a good alternative, even if it is indoors.
I personally have taken the water aerobics class there and had tons of fun.
Happy swimming.
Jun
14
Have You Had Your Fiber Today?
Filed Under Blog, Issaquah Highlands, Other Development | 6 Comments
On July 1st, 2007 Highlands Fiber Network (HFN) will be launching a new level of services for the customers of Issaquah Highlands.
One of the biggest changes is that the HFN has decided to select ISOMEDIA as our vendor of choice for the long term.
“ISOMEDIA will now be empowered through end to end network access to provide high-value customer service to the entire community.”
Plans are already underway for a brand new customer service center located in the Issaquah Highlands.
Some existing service options will be getting an uprgrade.
- A myriad of “always on” connections that are less expensive than DSL or cable services or you can upgrade to an even faster package that is suitable for running an a home business.
- E-mail service with built in spam and virus filters that can accommodate private domain names.
With this change, HFN will now have the capabilty to offer additional services to the residents of Issaquah Highlands:
If we want these service we need to make the demand known. The potential is there. We just need to demonstrate we want it.
Just another great reason to live in the Issaquah Highlands. What other community owns and operates their own technology company.
Jun
5
Issaquah Highalands Makes The Top 10
Filed Under Blog, Issaquah Highlands, Real Estate | 2 Comments
As some of you may have seen April’s issue of Seattle Metropolitan Magazine features their annual �Best Places to Live� edition.
Here are the Best Places to Live according to Seattle Metropolitan Magazine with the median home price:
- Kent - $278,500
- Lower Queen Anne - $289,000
- High Point - $315,990
- Belltown - $324,450
- Victory Heights/Pinehurst - $356,750
- Rainier Vista - $390,000
- South Lake Union - $394,000
- Issaquah Highlands - $569,950
- Somerset - $697,500
- Yarrow Point - $1,500,000
I am pleased to see that our beloved Issaquah Highlands was one of the selected neighborhoods. With all our amazing parks, undisturbed and dedicated natural habitat areas, and varied housing opportunities, it really did not come as much of a surprise…with one exception. Issaquah Highlands is not technically in Seattle. I’m not complaining though. I love to see the place I love get some well deserved publicity.
Some interesting stats were presented in the article that even I did not realize. Did you know that the housing density of Issaquah Highlands is 30 times greater than that of other “Eastside” neighborhoods? I think Port Blakely has done a terrific job of balancing dense housing with terrific open spaces (parks and trails). Currently undertaking a yard renovation project, I love having the opportunity to get my hands dirty, but am glad that my yard isn’t any bigger than it is when it comes to shoveling dirt! And if I want more open space, I simply have to walk two blocks in any direction and I hit a fantastic park; all of which have great open fields for a picnic or great play equipment for my daughter. Issaquah as a whole, trails onlyBellevue, Kent, Redmond and Vashon Island for all of King County for the total amount of park acreage within the municipality.
I was disappointed that the article failed to mention how tremendously successful the Issaquah Highlands Park and Ride has been, although it did mention that a bus commute to Seattle was often shorter than the commute from downtown Seattle to the U District. The article also downplayed The Highlands for its current lack of retail and entertainment options - guess the author didn’t attend the planning meeting.
Overall I thought it was an interesting article that highlighted some great neighborhoods and stimulates the mind to ask, “What do I want to get from where I live?”
What are your favorite aspects of Issaquah Highlands?
Jun
4
Issaquah Highlands Gets Some Healthy News…maybe…
Filed Under Blog, Issaquah Highlands, Other Development, Retail Development | 4 Comments
A while back I posted an article discussing the retail development in Issaquah Highlands and the possibility of a hospital coming to our neighborhood. Specifically, I mentioned that Judd Kirk thought it was highly unlikely that ahospital would be built in that space because both applications from Swedish and Overlake were rejected in 2005 because the state Department of Health said there were enough beds on the Eastside to serve residents’ health-care needs for 10 years. In addition he thought it would take too long to develop.
My how things can change in two years. Swedish Medical Center received an approval Friday from the state to build a $207 million hospital in the Issaquah Highlands Area.
It will be interesting to see how this all unfolds. Nothing is set in stone yet and the article is still intentionally vague; referring to the “Issaquah Highlands area”. This could mean that Port Blakely might have changed its mind on how it plans to develop the space originally allocated for a hospital and that they will need to find an alternate location.
Stay tuned as this story unfolds…
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