In 2023-2024, IHCA has been focused on infrastructure revitalization and community safety. We know the recent crime activity in Issaquah Highlands has us all on high alert and we continue to look for ways to support safety in the community. We are collaborating with the Highlands Council Community Safety Committee to have regular safety meetings and remain in close contact with Issaquah Police Department for support.
Regarding finances, the IHCA Board of Directors is happy to report that the association’s fiscal position is strong despite the rising cost of inflation, and we have had clean audit reports for the past nine years. We thank IHCA finance staff for their diligence in managing your dues responsibly.
On the topic of development, the last house on Harrison Street will be completed this year! There has been ongoing home construction on Harrison Street dating back to 2005! Several lots on Grand Ridge Drive are currently under construction and two new projects are starting this summer. Issaquah Highlands is close to being fully built out, except for the upcoming Shelter Holding development along 9th Avenue and Discovery Drive.
This year, we successfully transitioned 350 units in the Westridge neighborhood to IHCA. We also added the Westridge Community Garden as well as four new parks: High Street Linear Park, Westridge Townhomes North Park, Westridge Townhomes South Park and Westridge South Park. IHCA also smoothly transitioned 10 new homes at the Reserve at Forrest Ridge along 15th Avenue Northeast.
Parks, parks, parks! We have been hard at work upgrading a few of our parks. The newly formed Playground Improvement Committee is finalizing the new playground for Kirk Park this year, followed by the Ashland Park play area in 2025. Ashland Park’s plaza will also be upgraded in the coming years. The Playground Committee is working with a landscape architect on possible designs and will communicate those options to the community before finalizing the new plaza area design.
Logan, Magnolia and Daphne parks have been upgraded and work continues at Wisteria Park as well. The Sport Court was recently resurfaced, we have added a new pickleball net. IHCA has reviewed community responses from the recent Community Survey, and we thank you for your feedback. The board is prioritizing discussions about the ongoing streetscape improvements and tree management plan as we enter the new fiscal year, which begins on July 1, 2024.
What do the next five years hold for Issaquah Highlands? We are preparing for the development of the Shelter Holdings parcel, which will add 1,250 apartment units and five blocks of commercial buildings. IHCA has also started planning for additional revitalizations at West Highlands, Roanoke Woods and Summit parks.
The IHCA staff works hard to make Issaquah Highlands such a great place to live, work and play. From left to right: Kristyn McKinnon, Soledad Ruiz, Susan Carlson, Sarah Hoey, Barbara Hendrikse and Blair Krieg.
We would like to recognize IHCA Executive Director Sarah Hoey who recently received her Large-Scale Manager (LSM®) designation from the Community Associations Institute. She is the only large-scale HOA director in Washington state, and she is one of only 78 worldwide to hold this designation!
Sarah also holds her Professional Community Association Manager Designation. The PCAM® designation is the highest professional recognition available worldwide to those who specialize in community association management.
We would like to recognize and thank the entire IHCA team, who works tirelessly to make the Issaquah Highlands a great place to live, work and play.
This summer, we hope you will join us at several community events! IHCA is collaborating with Highlands Council and Highlands Fiber Network to host Global Grub and Groove celebrations this summer. We are also sponsoring the first-ever outdoor Movie on the Green on Friday, Aug. 23. Have a great summer!
With gratitude,
Ali Spietz, on behalf of the IHCA Board of Directors
