Category Archives: Development & Planning

Regency screws Ace Hardware

Posted on by
Reply

By now, many of you have heard that Regency, the owner of the Sammamish Highlands (Safeway complex), has screwed Ace Hardware, notifying owner Tim Koch that his lease won’t be renewed. He’s been in business here 20 years.

There is a Facebook page for Save our Ace.

Regency also owns much of the Issaquah Highlands and recently asked Issaquah for $3 million to fund changes there.

Regency is an arrogant organization, charging high pricing for the space at the Sammamish Highlands and the Pine Lake Center, which it also owns.

I don’t know that calling and emailing Regency will do much good–it has a monopoly on space here and unlike the consumer protest that rose up in arms against Bank of America over its debit card fees, Koch has little option going elsewhere. But here is the Regency contact:

Kalin Berger
503.603.4700
KalinBerger@RegencyCenters.com

 

“Bias, extremism” and the city staff

Posted on by
2

The Sammamish Reporter had an article August 13 entitled “Accusations of bias, extremism made against city,” in which the staff, “in a remarkably personal attack,” was accused of environmental extremism and bias in enforcing the Critical Areas Ordinance.

While I don’t agree with the characterizations, the underlying issue of over-zealous interpretation of the ordinance is only the tip of the iceberg. But not for reasons of the critics cited in the article.

The staff is sincere and tries to do a good job. But it is short-staffed, overworked and sometimes ill-advised by others in efforts to do its job.

Continue reading →

Historical signs for the Lake Trail

Posted on by
Reply

I was walking on the East Sammamish Lake Trail recently, on the section north of Inglewood Hill Road. This is one of the prettier sections, being heavily wooded in many spots. It crosses many creeks and it struck me that none of the creeks is marked.

How interesting it would be if the creeks were identified by a sign. This, then, begot additional thoughts that the trail should have historical signs at several locations. For example:

Continue reading →