Say Goodbye to Kingsgate Woodinville, Kirkland's Annexation Celebrations Set for June 1-3

Annexation of the Finn Hill, north Juanita and Kingsgate neighborhoods into Kirkland becomes official in less than three weeks, and the city is planning three days of celebration to welcome some 33,000 new residents to the fold.

Annexation takes effect on June 1 after years of discussion, debate and , giving the city a population of some 80,000, and that date will mark the start of celebrations with an open house at .

"Oh my gosh, I am so excited," Kirkland Mayor Joan McBride said Friday. "It was controversial. There was robust debate. But I think Kirkland is ready. This is a time for celebration. It's going to be our job now to prove ourselves to those who have been unsure."

Here are details on the events:

• June 1—Open house, Kirkland City Hall, 4—7 p.m.

The city council and other elected officials will host a welcome at 5:30 p.m. followed by cake (donated by ) and coffee (donated by Parkplace ). Informational and interactive displays will be set up in the main areas of the upper and lower floors of City Hall, and in the Peter Kirk Room and Houghton Room. All residents are invited to meet their elected and appointed officials, meet staff, learn their way around City Hall and learn about their new government.  City Hall is located at 123 Fifth Ave.

• June 2—Business breakfast, 7:30—9:30 a.m., 

Businesses in the annexation area and current city limits are invited to a complimentary breakfast. City council members will speak about Kirkland’s business community. Capt. Mike Ursino of the Kirkland Police Department will share some insights into the department in an entertaining way.  Seating is limited and reservations can be made by emailing businessbreakfast@kirklandwa.gov. Casino Caribbean is located at 12526 NE 144th St.

• June 3—Community Celebration, 6 p.m.,  near the Forbes House(11829 97th Ave. NE). Council members and other elected officials will give welcome remarks, then serve strawberry shortcake (donations from  of Kirkland,  of Kirkland, and Juanita Village Starbucks). The  and the  Pep Band will perform from 7–7:30 p.m., followed by Kirkland’s own Back Burner bluegrass band.  The evening will include a free classic movie, courtesy of . Activities will be held on the north side of the park where the  is located.

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Governor Signs Bill Eliminating Costly Annexation Census

Kirkland officials are applauding the signing of Senate Bill 5505 by Gov. Chris Gregoire, which creates a less costly alternative to a state requirement that cities annexing unincorporated areas conduct a census within a month after the effective date of annexation. 

SB 5505, sponsored by state Sen. Andy Hill, R-Redmond, and state Rep. Larry Springer, D-Kirkland, allows the city to determine the annexation population by using 2010 census figures and updating those based on development activity between April 1, 2010 and June 1, 2011.

“Senate Bill 5505 eliminates the need for the City of Kirkland to conduct a costly and redundant census of population for the North Juanita, Finn Hill and Kingsgate neighborhoods being annexed to Kirkland,” said Mayor Joan McBride. “Kirkland successfully supported its position that the 2010 census data would suffice.”