Four years ago, I went to “An Expert Panel discussion for the Kirkland Corridor” at the Kirkland Arts Center on Market Street, which featured planners, business managers and artists. There were a couple of dozen of us in the audience, whose main concern, it turned out, was about removing the tracks, for fear of losing the potential for rail transit in the corridor. However, the panel explained to us that: the tracks were too old to reuse and would have to be replaced anyway; since the corridor right of way is 100-foot wide, there would be adequate room for light rail, as well as a bike and walking trail; and the best case scenario would be to have Sound Transit partner with Kirkland on the light rail portion.

There was federal money available to complete the first phase by a specified date, which resulted in the present gravel trail. However, this was always meant to be just the first phase.

Kirkland is incredibly lucky to have Sound Transit agree to partner with the city on a light rail option for the next phase, and we should be celebrating and congratulating our city instead of standing in the way of progress. This is part of a contiguous corridor that would connect Sound Transit’s new East Link in Bellevue to Kirkland and beyond to Woodinville. It is not a nature preserve for wildlife, unless you want coyotes roaming from Woodinville to Bellevue. For the young (who are not yet driving) and the elderly (who are moving to suburban cities like Kirkland and Bellevue), this would offer convenient and efficient transit; even the 30 year olds might consider using transit to commute to Google or for a night out at the Woodinville Wineries, leaving their car at home.

As City Council member Penny Sweet said, “this is not for me, it’s for our grandkids several decades from now.”

I congratulate the City Council for moving forward with this wonderful plan. It is the right thing to do and I think there are many that would agree.

Sue Amorosi, Kirkland