Picture Story of Group Health Overlake Center Trees, by Max Feingold

Picture Story of Group Health Overlake Center

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Max Feingold publisher of Cat's Paw Images, Blog  "Exploring the Seattle Area Camera in Hand"

In 1871, Warren Wentworth Perrigo and Captain Luke McRedmond became the first white men to stake a claim and settle the land that would become the city of Redmond.  Read and See More >>

Photo and Story by Max Feingold

These pictures tell the story eloquently. Hopefully, they will help decision-makers realize what they’ve got in this urban jewel before it’s gone. Enough of paving paradise! We can have the transit-oriented village AND a good percentage of these beautiful trees; they are not mutually exclusive unless the only consideration is profit.  Thanks for all the work you put into this post.
-- Comment by Katheryn, Reader of  "Cat's Paw Images - Blog"

Community activists take City of Redmond to court to enforce long-standing tree ordinance

UPDATED:  A legal fight over Redmond's Group Health Overlake Village is brewing from the City waiving a long-standing tree retention ordinance.   "Citizens and Neighbors for a Sustainable Redmond" ("Sustainable Redmond") of which Mayor Emeritus Ives is a member, and two neighborhoods, are suing the City and  the Group Health landowner for a 100% clear-cut of the 28-acre site.  Removal of all trees on the site, including 65 extra-large trees over 30.25 inches in diameter are slated to be cleared.  The diameter on one "Landmark Tree" is estimated to be over 50 inches, and 250 years old.  Group Health's arborists claimed the trees were dangerous and will fall over in wind storms.   City associate planner Lisk said the eleven significant trees in the "park" area will be removed and the remaining "parkland" will be hydroseeded.

City council voted 6-1 (Kim Allen) to waive the long-standing 35% tree retention ordinance.  At least four councilmembers justified the tree ordinance Exception by referencing requirements of the Growth Management Act.   Ive's showed council a city map of all the buildings in Overlake that could absorb the City's density requirements.

Several stakeholders were quoted in a February 12, 2012 online Seattle Times article by Keith Irvine, as follows:    Mayor John Marchione justified 100% tree removal saying:  Read More >>

UPDATED: Councilmember Pat Vache' responds to neighborhood tree hazard

Sidewalk roped off from a tree hanging on wires

UPDATED:  In late January, mothers walked their children down this hill to school, many unaware of the blue spruce leaning over their heads, balanced on utility lines.

Yes, the third wave of our January snow, ice and rain storm was hard on neighborhoods.  It took four days to close this sidewalk on Education Hill and seven days to remove the tree hazard.  Fortunately, neighbors pressed; and no one was hurt.

City and utility companies were slow to respond, despite the imminent danger.   Various distraught neighbors called 911, the mayor's office and utility companies.  Public Works identified the wires as "harmless phone lines" owned by Comcast saying, "it is their responsibility to remove the tree."   Two Pubic Works employees and a police officer looked it over and "walked on," according to an Education Hill resident, John.
 

 Frustrated and upset, John emailed city councilman and Ombudsman Pat Vache' on January 31,   John wrote Pat, "I cannot believe how hard it's been to get Redmond's attention on this."  (John had called 911 twice, PSE and several neighbors on January 27.)  Another neighbor called Comcast and walked them to the site.  The tree was finally removed February 2 after city Ombudsman-of-the-month Pat Vache' stepped in and had the sidewalk barriers installed.  Mr. Vache' went out of his way to help us.  Read More >>

'Sustainable Redmond' Files Petition with Superior Court on Group Health Clear-cut Decision

Group Health 28-acre site to be clear-cut

January 25, 2012

Sustainable Redmond Files Land Use Petition

Redmond, WA – On January 24, Citizens and Neighbors for a Sustainable Redmond filed a land use petition in King County Superior Court, seeking review of the City of Redmond’s decision to approve Group Health’s request to clear cut a 28-acre urban forest within the Overlake neighborhood so as to facilitate the development of a master planned mixed use development. This includes 65 landmark trees, estimated to be 150 to 250 years old, and 985 significant trees, up to 150 years old. Sustainable Redmond was joined in the appeal by Friends at Overlake Village, Villa Marina Condominium Association, and Rosemarie Ives, former mayor of Redmond, 1992-2007. In support of the appeal are the Eastside Audubon Society, Sherwood Forest Community Club (a nearby Bellevue neighborhood), and Techies for Trees (workers in the Overlake neighborhood).

Members from Sustainable Redmond, along with many local citizens and several groups, had urged the Council to reconsider the Group Health Overlake Village development agreement at public hearings in November and December. On December 13, the City Council approved, 6 to 1, the Group Health Overlake Village Master Plan and Development Agreement, with councilmember Allen dissenting.

While Sustainable Redmond supports transit-oriented development, Read More >>

UPDATED OPINION: Citizen claims actions by AWR industry are not environmentally insignificant

AWR Storm water pond  connects to Evans Creek. (2006)

My following public comment was submitted to the City, to protest approval of an environmental land use action on Redmond's polluting AWR industry

Public comments for or against this action (SEPA determination) are due to the city by 2/6/2012.  Send your Comment to city planner Kelsey Johnson  kjohnson@redmond.gov

 Dear City of Redmond,

I disagree with your determination that "All Wood Recycling" (AWR) proposal (L110009) is non-significant to our environment as referenced to the State Environmental Policy Act.   And, I ask you not  approve this environmental action favoring AWR  

Evans Creek banks enclosed
by impervious concrete
 paving. (click to enlarge)

This industrial proposal is environmentally significant owing to the location of AWR over our city aquifer. City staff publicly warned Council late last year that contaminates are leaking into the Redmond aquifer and threatening our valuable drinking water resource. AWR "recycles" hazardous waste-concrete, chemically treated wood products and other toxic materials, including sewage which remains un-piped and unconnected to the City.  Heavy machinery and trucks drip hydrolic fluids into the soils.  In some places the water aquifer is less than 6 feet from the surface so it's a short journey for their waste and toxins to enter our water supply.

Most of the ground surfaces in AWR are impervious owing to compacting of soils by vehicular use, clogged or removed stormwater pond systems, and paved roadway and work areas. Thus, most AWR stormwater is untreated, toxic and washes into Evans Creek, stressed creek banks (photo), underground streams and adjacent commercial sites.  AWR proposes one vault and one stormwater pond to treat the entire industrial site. At least two vaults are needed - one on both sides of the creek.


Evans Creek runs through AWR property, shown here 

 Evans Creek is a "Class One" stream of highest value and runs through the site. It's regulated by the Department of Ecology and the City as a "Shoreline of the State."  In 2008, Mayor Marchione proclaimed riparian corridors as" habitat of local importance."

Stormwater run-off carries untreated pollutants (photo) from AWR into the creek, harming Federally protected Chinook salmon and destroying their habitat. Sub-surface, underground streams connecting to Evans and Bear Creek were recognized by the Planning Commission during their Critical Areas Ordinance Update several years ago. Underground streams connecting to contaminated Evans Creek storm flows could spread toxins further into our aquifer before they can be treated by downstream facilities.

Toxic run-off can't percolate
 through impervious surfaces
and runs off untreated.  Heavy
equipment drips hydrolic fluids.

The City will incur certain liabilities should significant trending to aquifer contamination be traced to this AWR site and it's vicinity. Approving this "Determination of Non Significance" (DNS) is setting a precedent for further neglect in the SE Redmond industrial complex, besides AWR. By approving this DNS, the C.O.R. is placing itself at risk to lawsuit and most significantly, potential loss of a highly valuable and important municipal natural resource - potable water. 
Read More>>

Overlake Continues to Expand Clinic Network; Overlake Urgent Care Opens in Redmond

Open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Creekside Crossing Shopping Center across the street from Safeway. 

Overlake Hospital Medical Center is continuing to grow its network of clinics on the Eastside.  Its brand new Urgent Care Clinic at Overlake Medical Clinics Redmond opened January 9, 2012. The clinic is located at Creekside Crossing Shopping Center in Redmond and will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

“Overlake is an independent, community-focused hospital that is driven by the key objective of best serving the Eastside community,” said Craig Hendrickson, Overlake’s President and CEO. “The continued expansion and opening of this Urgent Care Clinic in Redmond allows us to continue to provide our patients with excellent care and our signature attention to detail, quality and patient safety.”

Disclosure:  Good journalistic practice requires I disclose our family experienced unsatisfactory service,  charges and medical care at Overlake Urgent Care Clinic of Redmond and Overlake Hospital Emergency Room.

 Read More >>

Redmond's "Winter Lights Festival 2011" - a glowing success, Eastside festival destination

SUZANNE QUERRY/ City Hall Light

Redmond's  "Winter Lights Festival 2011" a glowing success.

OPINION:  The thousands of citizens, families and tourists lucky enough to discover Redmond's "Winter Lights Festival" last Saturday are probably still glowing from their holiday experience in Redmond.  

It was the two magnificent, lit-up trees - one evergreen and the other deciduous - that drew my wife and I to the event.  We drove closer towards the downtown streets and then City Hall to see the trees and get a pulse on the event.  OMG.  The numbers of people moving around  the festival was absolutely astounding.  Never, in my wildest dreams did I expect thousands of residents and visitors would show up!  One of the mayor's favorite words and goals for the city is "vibrancy" and seeing people walking on our sidewalks.  The energy and movement around the various entertainment events and displays was almost frenetic.  The luminary trail lined with families and community from City Hall to Redmond Town Center was absolutely beautiful!... with entertaining "discoveries" at every turn.  Visit the website to see them!

My wife and I fully embraced this grand celebration when we saw the entire community was behind Winter Lights, including the Redmond business community.   Prior to the Marchione Administration, these festivals were funded almost exclusively by citizen taxpayers.  Expansive, city run entertainment is "nice to have" and significant to our culture and heritage, but not required of the city with the same emphasis as  community safety. Read More >>

Letter: Council to decide on stripping 1050 trees from Overlake development; Dec. 6 Hearing scheduled at City Hall

NOTICE OF HEARING, DECEMBER 6, 7:30 PM, CITY HALL


from the desk of Mary W., Reader, Redmond Neighborhood Blog

In case you did not see a Notice of the Redmond City Council's "Continued Open Hearing and Vote on the Overlake - Group health proposed development," it is scheduled for Tuesday Dec 6th at 7:30 PM according to the 3rd page of the Redmond City Council Agenda for that meeting.

Hope to see  you there to support the retention of as many of the large significant and landmark trees as possible and the expansion of the park area.

Mary W.

LETTER: Lake Washington Institute of Technology relies on international students.

LETTER:  In the face of higher education budget cut decisions due out of Olympia before the end of the month, this is an ideal opportunity to highlight the value of our higher education institutions not only to residents, but also our economic partners abroad. Our schools rely on a balance of international students.

Three percent of Lake Washington Institute of Technology's (LWIT) students are international students, who each pay three times the resident tuition.  Five international students provide the funding to add an additional class to our programs that can serve 25 students, and for every $1 in tuition an international student pays, they contribute $7 to the local economy in room, board, travel, expenses, entertainment, etc. What’s more, these international partnerships allow us to send faculty abroad (thus saving a job) when budget cuts dictate elimination of faculty positions at the school.

--By Jen Boyer, Communications Specialist, LWIT

UPDATED: Letters: Delaying impact fees is a bad deal, except for builders.

LETTERS:  I recall that in the late-70s, early-80s, interest rates rose to nearly 20% and nobody could afford to buy a house. Entire housing developments that had been built were moth-balled for 6 or 7 years because there were no buyers. (Example: Forest Rim in Issaquah) From 1978-1983, inflation caused prices of most commodities to double and triple. The price of a pound of hamburger went from $.69 to $1.49 in less than a year.

If builders are allowed to postpone their impact fees for many years, will the impact fees be indexed to inflation? The price of building roads, sidewalks, sewers, parks and schools will continue to increase, while the impact fee will be set when the builder first applies for the permit. The school impact fee for a single family residence today is about $3,000. If a building permit is issued today, and the house isn’t completed and sold until 9 years from now when school impact fees have increased to, say, $15,000 per house, will the builder be required to pay $3,000 or $15,000? Allowing builders to pay impact fees when the house finally sells sounds like a bad deal for everyone, except the builders.
--By RNB Reader, 11/22
--submitted to RNB by comment under "Council considering impact fees to time of closing."

UPDATED:

from the desk of Councilmember John Stilin, Ombudsman for the month of November, 2011.

"....The scenario your letter writer [above] presented may be the case in Issaquah.  But here in Redmond impact fee amounts are calculated on the day the fee is paid, not the date the permit is issued.   If impact fees increase after a house is built and the fees have not been paid, the builder will need to pay the higher fee.  So in some cases, it might behoove the builder to pay the fee early to avoid a fee increase..."
  --Councilmember John Stilin, 11/22

City Council considers defering "impact fees" to time of closing

Off -site capital inmprovements are paid by builders as "impact fees"

Local lending institutions are tightening up on builder's and it's hurting our local economic recovery according to city council consensus in their last public meeting.   It's especially difficult for builders to get loans covering their "soft costs" like impact fees.  Impact fees pay for sidewalks and other off-site capital improvements.   Master Builder spokesman, David Hoffman told council that impact fees average $15,000 for new single family homes, causing a serious cash flow problem for builders.  Read More >>

Redmond's Grass Lawn Park wins regional award.

Redmond's Grass Lawn Park wins regional award for "the best playground in Puget Sound."

Grass Lawn Park won the Golden Teddy Award as "the best playground in the Puget Sound region", according to results from a reader poll in Seattle-based ParentMap Magazine.  Mayor Marchione made the announcement at the beginning of last night's council meeting.  The ParentMap website also recognized the SecondStory Repertory on their "Best of Seattle" list.  Read More >>

Stewart - The choice on Nov 8th

Stewart - The choice on Nov 8th



Sue Stewart

 As the days of the campaign draw to an end, some may be wondering what are the differences between Sue Stewart and my opponent. Is the incumbent a safe bet or is Sue Stewart the better candidate for Redmond?

For 15 years I have served the community of Redmond, often in partnership with representatives of our business community. My opponent, through his endorsements, would have you believe that he is the only pro-business candidate in this race. Nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is that I understand and value the role of business in our city and the benefits these entities bring to our community. In recent discussions about the neighborhood commercial process, my opponent resisted the additional requirements for community input. Neighborhood Commercial has great potential for bringing small businesses to the edge of our neighborhoods but I believe that the size, scope, and esthetics of these establishments have to be thoroughly vetted with the neighbors.  Read More >>

What's the most important transportation issue facing Redmond?, By Candidate Sue Stewart, Pos. 7

Sue Stewart
Council Candidate Pos. 7

This is third post in a series covering the four questions from the recent City of Redmond Chamber of Commerce candidate forum.

Question: What is the most important transportation issue facing Redmond and how would you address it?

Having an effective and efficient transportation system is vital to our entire community. We need to have the ability to move goods and services to our businesses and then residents to these businesses. We will need to connect our urban centers and then outward to the region. How do we accomplish this? We will need a network of complete streets, parking management, and improved transit services.

To improve transit, we will need to continue to assert ourselves with Metro and Sound Transit to insure we get our fair share of transit. As someone with 30 years of transit experience, I bring a depth of knowledge to the table that Redmond can use to fight to make sure we have the right service at the right time. I also know what a network of complete streets should look like to enable efficient movement about town both for our residents and for future transit. Parking management means having ample spots for people to park once and then be able to walk about the community from place to place.

By Sue Stewart, Pos. 7

Chamber question: What role should the city have in economic development? By Sue Stewart, Pos 7

Chamber question: What role should the city have in economic development? Elect Sue Stewart:

This is the second post in a series covering the four questions from the recent City of Redmond Chamber of Commerce candidate forum.

Question: What role should the city have in the economic development?

The City must continue to provide ample infrastructure such as accomodations for transit, utilities and completing and enhancing its network of roads and sidewalks. The changes coming to downtown have started in earnest, like the connection of 161st NE between Redmond Way and Cleveland Street. The next step will include returning Redmond Way and Cleveland to two-way. Combine these improvements with replacing missing sidewalks and working with METRO to bring about the service that connects us both inside and outside our community, and we will maintain our role as an Eastside transportation hub. Read More >>

Sue Stewart's Endorsements

By Sue Stewart
Redmond City Council Challenger Pos. 7

Incumbent David Carson's Endorsements Pos 7
Redmond Neighborhood Blog isn't endorsing a candidate for Pos. 7

Who's a good "write-in" candidate for Evergreen Hospital Commissioner, Position #3

Evergreen Commissioner  Kempf

RNB responds to an engaged hospital district citizen who emailed for a "write-in" alternative to Commissioner Kempf.   (for background on Kempf visit this post)

OPINION:   RNB can't name a specific "write-in" challenger to Evergreen Commissioner Kempf, Position #3, though Reader recommendations can be posted in the comments section.

My ideal candidate has financial skill-sets, is passionate and knowledgeable about Evergreen Healthcare, responsible and accountable to the taxpayer, desires a community hospital rather than one built around specialists, encourages Open Government wherein meetings are video-taped (as is Valley Hospital, Renton), allocates 60% levy monies to community health and wellness and 40% or less for growth and debt service, and is strong enough to challenge the Administration appropriately and catalyze the five-member Board from "cheerleaders" to governors.

I'm not certain if it's realistic a qualified write-in will rise at this late date, but terms are 6-years so elections occur with regularity.  Candidates are currently spawned but the "Evergreen Advisers". "I talked to a prominent Redmond business person and Advisor.  She said if "you had one problem or issue with Evergreen you wouldn't qualify for the program."   Evergreen governance and community system appears "inward," clubby and close-minded.   A commissioner attends Advisor meetings once a month, but Advisors never attend public commission meetings to give input.  Since I've been covering Evergreen, they replaced the Advisor staff member with Laurene Burton, Administrative Director, Community Affairs and Governance (and executive secretary to the CEO.)  Ms. Burton is also the Public Records Officer, professional and cordial.  She takes Public Records requests by email and screens Board emails.

Some background:   Evergreen has a strong influence over the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce over the years.  Mr. Kempf  has been the Chamber Membership Chair for years. An executive from Redmond's Columbia Bank was past-President and a lauded Evergreen Advisor.  A senior executive from Evergreen is current President.  Dr. Appleton, Evergreen ER Assist. Director and past Redmond councilman ran for office against Mayor Ives. He left Evergreen last year for the V.A Medical Center.  Our Chamber of Commerce has lost significant membership since Kempf took over and is currently repositioning under One Redmond.

I hope district citizens are encouraged to run for election.  For Kempf's position (No 3)  the candidate must live in Redmond or Sammamish.

Opinion By Bob Yoder
Editor, RNB

Note:  Commissioner Jeanette Greenfield's position (No 5) is "at large" and a candidate may reside anywhere in the hospital district. Ms. Greenfield is the sole commissioner on the Levy Standing Committee.  She's an operations specialist for U.S. Bank.

OPINION: Seattle Times article a "must read" on tolling Initiative 1125 controversy

520 bridge

OPINION:   At the Oct. 4 council meeting Redmond Mayor Marchione  OPPOSED Initiative 1125, as he addressed council before their vote on a Resolution on the initiative:   

"520 is an economic lifeline to the city of Redmond. It's in the direct interests of the City of Redmond and our economic development and our community; and the Resolution be opposed and take the leadership required."

The Redmond City Council majority followed the Mayor and voted AGAINST an endorsement Initiative 1125 (5-2).  Incumbents David Carson and Hank Myers made a political vote FOR the Resolution to endorse Initiative 1125. 

David Carson is challenged by Sue Stewart for Redmond City Council Pos. 7.

According to the TIMES, the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce is AGAINST Initiative 1125 (which is significant in that "one of Bellevue's most prominent businessmen, Kemper Freeman, is the biggest backer of I-1125, contributing more than $1 million to the campaign.).  

SEATTLE TIMES REPORT:  Local News Eyman challenges state's route on tolls Seattle Times Newspaper

By Andrew Garber, 10/1/2011
Seattle Times Olympia bureau

OLYMPIA — Tim Eyman and state officials agree on one thing: His tolling initiative on the November ballot would upend state plans for reducing traffic congestion and financing costly highway construction, including the Highway 520 floating-bridge project.

Eyman says Initiative 1125 would make lawmakers more accountable for raising and spending billions of dollars in tolls, and would make tolling fairer by banning variable-rate tolls that he says hit the state's poorest residents the hardest.

But it also would undermine long-term efforts, state transportation officials say, to find an alternative to gas taxes to help finance highway construction.  READ MORE >> 

Opinion By Bob Yoder
Internet photo - Cascadia

Redmond Council Candidate Sue Stewart works to make Redmond a livelier place.

Challenger Sue Stewart
Education Hill Neighbor

from the desk of Sue Stewart, Redmond  City Council Candidate, Pos. 7...

"I recently participated in a candidate forum hosted by the Redmond Chamber of Commerce. We were asked to respond to four questions, and I wanted to share the questions, and my answers with you over the next week here as well.

How would you help make Redmond a livelier place?

Redmond is a great place to live, work, and play – we know that, but we can do better. The City of Redmond can help to promote places and activities that the community wants, like more dining choices, recreation, and entertainment. This is something that I have heard from my neighbors and friends who have suggested places like..>>

OPINION: "Group Health Overlake Master Plan" could morph Overlake Neighborhood into a "glitzy urban center."

This is "the heart and soul" of Overlake urban center -- President Richard Cole

UPDATED OPINION:  Hold onto your hats.  Redmond residents are in for a ride of their life once "Group Health Overlake Master Plan" gets underway.  The ride could last for years - the roads dusty?   Patience with the flag men.  Will  "Avoid Overlake" tweet?   But, the potential for this district!  Oh, My!  All you have to do is live long enough. 

The mayor has many names for Overlake -- "a neighborhood," "a village," an "urban center" and the "glitzy part of Redmond."  Whichever name you choose Overlake is sure to be Redmond's urban mecca 20 years from now, leaving our current downtown, the "Old Redmond."

Last week, Redmond city planners presented council with an overview of the 28-acre "Group Health Overlake Master Plan."   Notice of Hearing.  A Hearing is scheduled for October 18th at 7:30 PM in City Hall.   Send your comments for the record to Associate Planner Denis Lisk by October 18. Email:  dwlisk@redmond.gov.   Or call 556-2400. City council  must approve this plan.

The development plan started years ago when Group Health closed their Redmond hospital, located at 15670 NE 85th Street - between 152th Ave and 156 Ave, two blocks north of NE 24th Street.

Group Health and the City of Redmond agreed on a long range development plan for the parcel.   Five types of projects will have to be permitted.  Phase One will develop 1.38 million square feet of office, hotel, and retail.  Most of the construction phase is on the north and east of the parcel, along 156th AVE and includes:

• 12-story, 180 room hotel and conference center (NE corner with underground parking).
• 4 - 10 story commercial office parks (north and SE corner) with landscaped courts and plazas.
• 25,000 s.f. ground floor retail  (on the west along 152nd Ave. -  might be included in this phase)
• 2.6 acre grassy park with pathway up the middle of the site.

Phase Two includes 1400 multi-family residential units in the NW and SW parcel areas.  Development progress depends on transportation infrastructure.  An SR 520 access ramp is crucial.  NE 26th Street construction and grid build-out is needed along with Sound Transit.


Group Health is in the background - trees are scattered between parking areas.

 TREES:  The site is located on hill rising from west to east and covered with 1050 trees scattered throughout the parking areas.  Enormous amounts of earth-moving, grading and clearing are necessary to make a "hardscape" suitable for building.   Underground parking garages will compound the work.  Large earth-moving equipment and trucks traveling local roads may be expected for several years at a time.  Read More >>

HCL Technologies, Indian Outsourcing Company Opens in Redmond, WA to Significantly Expand its North American Operations

Internet photo

REDMOND NEIGHBORHOOD BLOG COMMENT:  The HCL-Redmond office building is on Northeast 31st Street, near the Azteca restaurant alongside Highway 520. 
 
HCL is a 'near-shore' ET software development company, mostly working for Microsoft.-India.  HCL-Redmond is working close to clients Microsoft (and Boeing) where they can provide direct support and collaboration.  Microsoft and HCL expect to benefit from one or more of the following dimensions of proximity: geographic, temporal (time zone), cultural, linguistic, economic, political, or historical linkages."  

HCL Technologies Opens its Collaborative Engineering Hub in Redmond, WA to Significantly Expand its North American Operations

PRESS RELEASE, September 21, 2011 -- HCL Technologies Opens its Collaborative Engineering Hub in Redmond, WA to Significantly Expand its North American Operations

HCL to Create More Than 400 Jobs in the Greater Seattle Area

"Sunnyvale, Calif. and Redmond, Wash., September 21st, 2011 – HCL Technologies, a leading global IT services company, announced the grand opening of a new state-of-the-art Global Delivery Center in Redmond, Washington. The initial investment of $4 million will create more than 400 jobs in the Seattle area over the next two years. The new center will support HCL's continued global expansion and increased focus on business innovation in software product development, test engineering and business critical platform development.

The Collaborative Engineering Hub will be a strong focal point for HCL’s nearshore complex engineering programs. The opening was inaugurated by the Washington State Director of the Department of Commerce, Rogers Weed, in the presence of Shami Khorana, President of HCL Americas and special guests John Marchione, Mayor of the City of Redmond and Rich Kaplan, Corporate Vice President, Customer and Partner Advocacy at Microsoft. During the event, HCL announced Microsoft as its first official enterprise customer and Director Weed pledged $200,000 from the Workforce Investment Act Fund to HCL to assist with the training of future employees from the Seattle area.  Read More >>