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Infrastructure Snarl Handcuffs Highlands Development

ISSAQUAH, WA-Microsoft would like to build a campus in the master-planned community of the Issaquah Highlands. Port Blakely Communities, the Highlands' developer, is working to solve the city's water permit issues. The sticking point now is the lack of a DOT permit.

By Janet Parker | Updated on October 17, 2001

ISSAQUAH, WA-Extensive development during the 1990′s dried up the amount of water available for new construction here—leaving future projects dangling from a new 24″ water main. Like a chain of dominos, utility and infrastructure shortcomings in Issaquah have impacted developers and other local companies.

For starters, water is so scarce here the city is only able to permit very small projects—those needing no more than the equivalent of three residences’ worth of water. And, that looks to remain the status quo until a new 24″ water main from Bellevue to Issaquah is completed sometime within the next year. Assuming a necessary permit is forthcoming.

Port Blakely Communities, developer of the Issaquah Highlands, a 3,250-home master-planned community, traded its commitment to construct the main (from Bellevue to Issaquah) for access to the current water for its massive project. Once the $16-million to $18-million water main is in, ownership will be transferred to the city, giving it a new resource for further development. The problem is, a construction permit from the state’s Department of Transportation has not been forthcoming—putting the whole process on hold.

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