After saluting our flag and our benediction, Vicky Puckett led us in a stirring rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Can (true) spring be far behind?

State of the City

    Woodinville’s city manager, Rich Leahy, utilized a slide show to walk us through the current state of, and future plans for, Woodinville. 

    There are a number of new city employees, including new council members, a new chief of police (John McSwain), and, of course, Leahy himself. 

   The recent floods were costly. Uninsured personal loss estimates were about $423,400. The city suffered costs of some $1.4 million. Some lessons were learned:

    A new regional King County jail is expected to be built in the area. The County has announced that, after 2012, it will no longer house “misdemeanants” (non-felony miscreants) at its downtown jail facility. Woodinville is holding discussions with other cities to address this problem. Ultimately, there may well be two new facilities constructed, one in the north (i.e., Woodinville) and one further south.

    Annexation is a topic of discussion with the City, which fondly eyes both Greater Grace and Kingsgate. (But not, this reporter is sad to report, the robust business areas lying just to the south of the town.)

Items of interest in the City’s Master Plan:

·             increasing the allowable height of new buildings to rise to 51’

·             offering incentive for builders to develop structured parking

·             a movement to allow increased residential housing  density

    Mr. Leahy noted several large developments in the area which will serve the City well:

·        Beaumont Multi-Family Housing project

·        Woodinville Wine Village – 24 acres; 200-220 new residences; 39 rehabilitated residences; 4 winery pads; 100-room hotel

·        21 Acres – a 17,000 sq ft structure is envisioned

·        Cam -West (Canterbury Square) – 21 acres; 500-700 residential units; 30-40,000 sq ft of commercial space; development is expected to start in 2009

    These developments are expected to add some $500 million in value to the City. The current population of 10,000  is expected to increase by some 2000-3000 as a direct result of this growth.  

Highways and bi-ways:

     The intersection of Hwy 202 and 127^th NE is due to be finished shortly, perhaps as early as next month.

     The intersection of Ne 175^th and 131^st NE is to be widened this summer.

     These projects are estimated to be worth approximately $13 million.

     Construction is scheduled to begin this summer of fall on the three round-abouts at the edge of the Woodinville Wine Village.

     Eastside Rail Corridor – still in flux

Upcoming:

    April 6 – A Motown Evening ( in the afternoon); 3 p.m., with a reception following. For tickets, contact Erv DeSmet 

    April 22 – Following the Tuesday breakfast, those interested in the new vineyard can go plant vines, as part of Earth Week. For (a mere) $50, you can have a plaque in your name to post at the site.

          Also, this evening there is a dinner at the Monte Villa Farmhouse.

     Bob Maynard has suffered a setback, being readmitted to Evergreen Hospital from LakeVue Gardens, where he was in recovery for an attack of pancreatitis. Bob enjoys brief visits, and could use some cheering up. 

     We were visited by a churnin’ burnin’ Rotarian from Ballard named Ole Wycomb, who is fulfilling a pledge to his recently departed wife, to visit all 55 clubs in the 5030 District. His mission is to garner funds which can be matched by other funds. In short order Ole made off with $1000 in pledges. Nice job! 

    Birthday – Rorry (“that’s 2 ‘R’s) Dunbar hit the Big 50, looking none the worse for his trips to Hawaii and the Love Boat…., 

    The Sarge was a pane for Steve Dolan (aka “The Window Man”). Art Haines paid for Sante Fe, and Jorge Gonzalez was tapped for a “recession tax.” Cougars came out of the woodwork with happy $’s, and Joe T. says it’s just good to be vertical.

Yours in Rotary – PairODocs II

                                                                                      Al Marsh