MOMENTUM CONTINUES
A vision to redefine community
“The Issaquah
Highlands community
is a prime example of
urban living at its best,
while respecting
the larger natural
environment.”
– John Milne, M.D.,
Vice President for
Medical Affairs,
Swedish/Issaquah
2011 marked a major milestone for Issaquah Highlands. Fifteen years ago, Port Blakely Communities completed the public planning process for roughly 2,200 acres of land situated on what was then called Grand Ridge. Careful consideration resulted in a visionary approach to master planning: clustered development planned and developed according to the principles of new urbanism, a philosophy that respects the environment and seeks to preserve open space. Through partnerships with both King County and the City of Issaquah, the vision for Issaquah Highlands was born.
The vision for Issaquah Highlands included much more than simply acreage or square footage. At its heart, it set out to recapture the sense of community life prevalent when most Americans lived in small towns along quiet streets, waved to their neighbors on their front porches, and walked to the store, school and diner.
“The greatest impact of Issaquah Highlands was the ability to implement smart growth
through the creation/realization of an urban village. The city and its residents and our
stunning environment all have benefited from Issaquah Highlands.”
– Ava Frisinger, Mayor, City of Issaquah
Today, Issaquah Highlands is a vibrant community recognized for its active community of more than 7,000 friends and neighbors. Narrow, tree-lined streets are designed to encourage walking and create a sense of neighborhood. Residents are never more than a quarter-mile walk from one of more than 20 planned parks, as well as miles of biking and hiking trails. Community-wide events such as Highlands Day and Green Halloween bring large groups of neighbors together. Grand Ridge Elementary, the local K-5 school, and Blakely Hall community center lie at the heart of the community and serve as integral meeting places. New services and amenities, including Swedish/Issaquah, YWCA Family Village at Issaquah, Proliance Highlands Medical Center, and the planned Bellevue College campus continue to enhance the quality of life for residents.
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