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Our Issaquah Mayor Pauly's 2022 Virtual State of the City

Via this virtual State of the City, Mayor Mary Lou Pauly shares Issaquah's progress in the past year toward the goals listed in Our Issaquah – the City's first Strategic Plan.

As we celebrate Issaquah's 130th birthday, now is the perfect time to celebrate our accomplishments, and turn our focus to what's next.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP - Our goal: Environmental resources are proactively enhanced, protected, and stewarded

Issaquah Honored: Climate Protection Award

I’m thrilled to announce the U.S. Conference of Mayors honored Issaquah for our efforts in addressing climate change in 2021.

Issaquah Adopts First Climate Action Plan

Thanks to community feedback, Issaquah's first Climate Action Plan was adopted in December 2021. Our plan is centered on taking bold and aggressive action in reducing emissions, as well as increasing community resilience to climate impacts.

Issaquah Adds Park Ranger Position

This past year, the City added the Park Ranger position as a resource for our community. Park Ranger Peter Walters helps educate residents on parks rules; offers interpretive programs and activities; monitors our City parks; assists with homelessness outreach; supports staff; and interfaces with the Issaquah Police Department. Say hi to Ranger Peter if you see him!
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC VITALITY- Our goal: An economically vital and diverse community is supported by robust businesses, affordable housing and supportive services

Issaquah Welcomes REI's Satellite Office

Last year, REI chose Issaquah as the home of its first satellite office. Located on Northwest Poplar Way, the space can accommodate up to 400 employees. We welcome REI to Issaquah and look forward to becoming great partners in outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship.

Human Services Team Supports Homeless

OUR WORK IN HUMAN SERVICES IS CENTERED AROUND THE VISION OF ISSAQUAH AS A WELCOMING, INCLUSIVE, EQUITABLE AND JUST COMMUNITY, WITH A BROAD RANGE OF SOCIAL SERVICES, WHERE EVERY PERSON IS RESPECTED, AND WHERE MEETING BASIC HUMAN NEEDS IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY.

Issaquah Creates New Equity Board

Here in Issaquah, kindness is our strength. We are welcoming and inclusive, but more work needs to be done. Following significant community engagement, an Equity Board was created last summer. This volunteer board supports and cultivates the voices of the diverse communities in Issaquah by advising local leaders and our staff on Issaquah’s plans, policies, regulations and programs related to equity initiatives.

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT - Our goal: Growth is proactively managed, planned, and communicated in a responsible way that retains our strong sense of community and livability

Making Progress: Land Use Code Update

WE'VE MADE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS ON OUR LAND USE CODE UPDATE, WHICH IS A CITYWIDE EFFORT AIMED AT IMPROVING THE REGULATIONS THAT GUIDE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN ISSAQUAH.

Adopted: Olde Town Architectural Standards

Engagement with the community made it clear that new architectural standards for Olde Town — or in other words, what a new or remodeled property in the neighborhood will look like — should have a light touch in order to allow for diverse architectural styles while still maintaining the area's existing character. See the adopted standards online.

Latest Development: School, Costco Expansion

We aim to ensure there are a variety of public amenities, housing types, educational and other services that contribute to a livable community. In the past year, we've seen continued expansion of Costco's international headquarters, as well as the opening of Cougar Mountain Middle School, among others.
MOBILITY - Our goal: Getting around town is easier for people who live, work and play here.

Funding Secured to Widen State Route 18

Issaquah and our partners successfully lobbied the state to dedicated $640 million of the More Ahead Washington transportation package on the widening of state Route 18 from Deep Creek to Issaquah-Hobart Road, which is notorious for traffic congestion and frequent collisions.

Preparing Now for East Link Connections

Issaquah is advocating for our residents in the East Link Connections process, which is co-led by Sound Transit and King County Metro, to update our regional bus network as light rail arrives on the Eastside.

Task Force Makes Funding Recommendations

THANKS TO THE HARD WORK OF OUR VOLUNTEER CAPITAL FINANCE COMMUNITY TASK FORCE, WE HAVE TANGIBLE RECOMMENDATIONS MOVING FORWARD ON HOW WE CAN FUND FUTURE TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENTS."
CITY LEADERSHIP AND SERVICES- Our goal: Leadership and accountability is provided in the delivery of public services for our growing and diversifying community

Virtual Engagement: Hybrid Council Meetings

While some agencies struggled with transitioning to a virtual environment during COVID-19, we were fortunate that our staff were already thinking ahead. This enabled us to quickly transition to both all virtual and hybrid City Council meetings. I'm proud that we continued to conduct City business while also keeping safety a top priority.

Community Survey Helps Inform Future Priorities

Issaquah last conducted a community survey in Spring 2021 to learn more about your view of City services and Issaquah's quality of life. Because similar surveys are conducted in hundreds of cities nationwide, we can compare Issaquah’s results with other communities in the Pacific Northwest, and throughout the United States. View the results on an interactive dashboard!

Issaquah Police: A Focus on Recruitment

Much like other agencies across the nation, the Issaquah Police Department faced a shortage of officers and applicants as pools of new officers dwindled. Fast forward to today and things are improving rapidly. Thanks to the work of our police department, Issaquah is bringing in high quality officers to join our team who share a commitment to our community’s values.

Parks Services Continued During Pandemic

I’m so thankful for our dedicated Parks and Community Services team, who made safety – first and foremost – our top priority during the pandemic while continuing to offer access to our parks, programs and services. From sports leagues to our Schoolhouse Rec program to senior services, our team found a way to keep these important services accessible to our community. See what events and programs you can register your family for today!
I’m so thankful for our dedicated Parks and Community Services team, who made safety – first and foremost – our top priority during the pandemic while continuing to offer access to our parks, programs and services. From sports leagues to our Schoolhouse Rec program to senior services, our team found a way to keep these important services accessible to our community. See what events and programs you can register your family for today!
INFRASTRUCTURE- Our goal: An infrastructure system that is planned, designed, built, and maintained well supports current and future community needs

Coming Soon: Improvements to 12th/SR 900

Construction is on the horizon for an important mobility project in Issaquah that will improve the intersection of 12th Avenue Northwest and state Route 900 (reducing the long backups on 12th)! Other improvements will include protected bike lanes, sidewalks and lighting.

Wayfinding: Plans for New Signage

Four preliminary sign design concepts were presented in a wildly popular survey to the public in May 2021. The next steps for the City are to determine a preferred final design and start planning out where this new signage will be delivered around town first.

Blackberry Park Play Area Improvements

It's time to upgrade the Blackberry Park play area in the South Lake Sammamish neighborhood! Thanks to surveys and community meetings, we've finalized the design, and construction is expected to start later this year.

Tell Us What's Next!

I encourage you to take an active role in our community. Our community is stronger when we all engage and plan for the future together.