Issaquah Construction Report: Several Projects Gain Ground

ISSAQUAH, WA — Construction season is kicking into high gear around Washington, and quite a few projects in Issaquah are taking shape. This week, the city released its latest quarterly construction report, outlining the status of new housing developments, apartments, schools, and a massive expansion of Costco's headquarters.

Here are a few highlights:

Over the last three months, the walls went up for a new 145,000 square foot middle school in the Talus neighborhood. The "Middle School 6" project is on track for completion shortly after the start of the next school year and will have space for 900 students and 80 staffers. The six-story building includes school administrative offices and classrooms, neighboring a new athletic sports field and track.

Also in Talus, construction work continues on the Panorama project, adding 63 single-family homes to the area. A few houses are already approved for occupancy, and the rest are expected to be completed by the end of summer. A separate project planned nearby is still in preliminary stages and will add another 90 homes.

In Providence Heights, a new high school and elementary school remain in the permitting phase. City officials expect a decision on environmental permits this month, followed by land-use hearings heading into the fall. Under the current plan, the 226,500 square foot high school would have space for 1,600 students in grades 9 through 12, while the 71,300 square foot elementary school could serve 600 K-5 students.

In the Issaquah Highlands, work is nearly complete on the "Alexan Highlands," a five-story, 135-unit apartment building and parking garage on the corner of 10th Ave. NE and NE Falls Drive. East of West Highlands Park, construction continues on 73 single-family homes and 38 affordable housing units south of High Street. Work is expected to wrap within the next three months.

At Pickering Place, construction on Costco's headquarters expansion will continue for a few more months. The project includes a new 600,000 square foot building and a 630,000 square foot parking garage. City officials said work on the garage had reached the sixth level by the end of May, and all 600 pilings were driven for the office building.

Review the full 11-page report on the city of Issaquah website, or view a map of active projects.