The imminent arrival of the Sound Transit 3 (ST3) light rail station in the Central Issaquah Urban Core by 2044 is the defining element of the city’s future development strategy. This is not merely a transportation project, but a powerful catalyst for transforming the designated Regional Growth Center into a vibrant, high-density, and sustainable hub. The station’s location will anchor decades of future growth, driving the creation of new housing, jobs, and mixed-use commercial spaces. The overarching vision is for the station area to become a well-connected environment where people of all ages can live, work, and thrive, fully embracing modern Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) principles that prioritize pedestrian safety, connectivity, and environmentally responsible design.

The City of Issaquah is actively pursuing a comprehensive vision for its urban core, centered around the Central Issaquah Plan, originally adopted in 2013. This plan aims to foster a dynamic urban environment while simultaneously safeguarding residential neighborhoods and the natural landscape. The City's ongoing commitment to this vision is evident through multiple interconnected initiatives, including the development of the Transit Oriented Development Opportunity Center (TOD-OC) and strategic public-private partnerships designed to enhance the vitality of the entire Central Issaquah area. These efforts are further bolstered by other key 2025 work plan items, such as continued light rail expansion planning, implementation of the housing strategy work plan, support for workforce housing development, improvements to the project permitting review process, execution of the economic development action plan, and a review of city property assets and surplus properties. As of Q1 2025, progress is on track with various projects under assessment, including the TOD-OC, permitting improvements, development bonus program investment criteria, utility fee waivers, and robust outreach to developers and property owners. Specifically, Q1 work on the TOD-OC involved reviewing cost estimates, initiating discussions on a condominium agreement, seeking reappropriation of prior funding, and commencing predesign work with health service providers.

Issaquah is strategically positioned for significant future development. While maintaining its urban-suburban feel along the I-90 corridor, the city anticipates substantial transformation, particularly in Central Issaquah and Olde Town. City plans, including the Comprehensive Plan and Central Issaquah Plan, explicitly target these areas for increased residential and employment density over the next two decades to meet mandated growth targets. This future Issaquah will see a deliberate shift in land use patterns to accommodate an expanding population and job market, building upon its existing base of major employers like Costco.