2. Vision Statement

Vision for 2035

The Totem Lake Business District is a thriving center of residential and commercial activity. The heart of the district is its core area, where the lively Totem Lake Mall, Evergreen Health Medical Center regional transit facilities and Totem Lake Park are destinations for Kirkland residents as well as many others from the greater region. This central core includes a dense mix of medical, retail, office and housing uses in architecturally attractive buildings. Many people live and work here, drawn to the area by its shopping and employment opportunities, public gathering spaces, and extensive pedestrian amenities including the transformed Cross Kirkland Corridor, providing residents, visitors and employees with transportation options and an extensive urban green space. In addition, public investments in streets and stormwater infrastructure, landscaping, signage, public amenities including park improvements, street furniture and public art contribute to a safe and attractive pedestrian environment. Together, these public and private efforts have contributed to the inviting sense of community.

The Totem Lake business district plays a vital role in the overall Kirkland economy, providing more than a third of the City’s jobs and revenue. Growth in jobs and residential development over the past 20 years has brought new employees and residents who benefit from the district’s access to services and connections to a network of trails, sidewalks and transit. Totem Lake serves as a community and subregional center for services, vehicle sales, major destination retail and health care.

Figure TL-1: Totem Lake Business District and Urban Center Boundaries

Subareas within Totem Lake have their own identities. These areas provide a wide array of housing choices, retail activity and services, high tech, light industrial and office uses. The presence of the Lake Washington Institute of Technology within the Urban Center adds both a population of students and the vibrancy of an institution of higher education to the diversity of activities in the area. Residential uses consist primarily of moderate-density and high-density multifamily development, providing an important source of housing affordable to a range of income groups in a highly desirable locale. Employment opportunities run the gamut, from small start-up businesses to traditional and flex industrial uses, to high tech medical uses, and retail, auto sales and office employment. Together, this rich mix of uses provides a strong and stable source of housing and employment opportunities, and a strong tax base for the City as a whole.

The business district is designed for people. Prioritization of public investments to Totem Lake has enhanced mobility choices in the district. High capacity transit service and facilities in the core of the business district provide strong regional access to the larger community. Local transit connections, an extensive nonmotorized network and a local boulevard system all combine to complement and support the regional system.

The district’s natural features have also been the source of catalytic changes for Totem Lake. The Cross Kirkland Corridor has been transformed from a rail corridor to an urban green space and transit corridor. Totem Lake Park, in addition to providing an opportunity for informal and organized play and an inviting meeting place for local residents, has brought visitors to the area. The park provides a starting point for use of the Cross Kirkland Corridor, and connections to the transformed Totem Lake Mall, other businesses and residential areas and the Evergreen Health Medical Center.

In 2035, the Totem Lake Business District has evolved into a lively Urban Center with an appealing mix of residential, commercial, office, high tech and open space uses.