2. Vision Statement

The vision statement is a verbal description of the character and qualities of the Central Houghton Neighborhood at a future time when the goals and policy direction expressed in this neighborhood plan are realized.

The Central Houghton Neighborhood has a rich and unique history. The area’s political history as part of a separate city until 1968 fostered a deep community identity, establishing a tradition in which residents seek opportunities for involvement and stewardship in the neighborhood’s future.

The neighborhood’s predominantly low-density residential character has been maintained, while the changing and varied needs of the population are accommodated through a diverse housing stock. Greater housing choices, as well as efforts to preserve affordability in housing, help to expand housing opportunities for all residents within the neighborhood.

Central Houghton is a friendly, accessible neighborhood, with safe and inviting pedestrian and bicycle routes. Healthy and active living is promoted through attractive streets and trails. Traffic on the neighborhood’s major streets, 108th Avenue NE and NE 68th Street, is managed well, with improvements designed to be compatible with surrounding development. The Cross Kirkland Corridor provides pedestrian and bicycle connections linking the corridor to parks and other neighborhood gathering places.

Figure CH-1: Central Houghton Land Use Map

Local citizens value the variety of opportunities to meet in shops and restaurants within the Houghton/Everest Neighborhood Center, as well as in casual locations in the neighborhood’s parks and natural areas. The Houghton/Everest Neighborhood Center has evolved into a thriving, pedestrian-oriented mixed-use center, with businesses available to meet the retail and service needs of the community. Appropriate streetscapes, site layouts and building designs provide an attractive and coordinated appearance within the Center. Careful attention to the placement and design of vehicle and pedestrian access from commercial areas to surrounding streets contributes to an efficient street network, and avoids conflicts with nearby low-density areas.

Several schools and the Northwest University campus add to the Central Houghton community by providing neighborhood residents with a connection to the schools’ students, parents, and facilities, as well as with residents of other Kirkland neighborhoods and the larger community. These campuses are valued and supported, not only for their role in providing educational opportunities and fostering community relationships, but for the additional open space they provide and share with the neighborhood.

The Central Houghton Neighborhood provides many beautiful open space experiences, including the views, tree canopy and neighborhood parks. The residents cherish and preserve the territorial views, including the expansive views of Lake Washington, Seattle and the Olympic Mountains, the slopes, and the natural watershed areas that contribute to the neighborhood’s distinctive character. The tree canopy in the neighborhood has been managed and enhanced, and adds to the neighborhood’s peaceful setting. The neighborhood’s parks meet the needs of the neighborhood’s residents. Phyllis A. Needy Park provides a place for active play for the neighborhood’s youngest residents, while Carillon Woods meets the neighborhood’s recreational needs with a play area and both paved and natural trails. Opportunities for residents to quietly observe and enjoy wildlife habitat and open space exist at Carillon Woods and at the south end of the neighborhood, in the Watershed Natural Area.

Central Houghton residents take great pleasure and pride in calling this beautiful neighborhood their home.