Help Us Bring a Community Center to Sammamish. See the Plan
CONVENIENT
Local Services.
Keep Everyday Errands Close to Home
Sammamish families are tired of driving to Redmond, Issaquah, or Bellevue just to grab the basics. Lin believes our city should make room for more retail, restaurants and services - so we can spend less time in traffic and more time in our own community.
Attract the Right Businesses, Together
Lin will work with the Chamber of Commerce, property owners, and local leaders to attract small businesses that meet everyday needs - like cafes, boutique shops, and hardware stores - so that we can create a thriving local economy.
Include Residents in the Process
To understand what’s truly needed, Lin will launch a citywide survey that gives residents a direct voice in shaping the future of local services.
MAKING ROOM FOR
Affordable Homes.
Give People a Chance to Stay
Sammamish is no longer affordable for teachers or first responders and unforgiving to current residents who face an unexpected life event. When divorce, medical bills, or job loss hit, many are forced to leave the community. Lin believes we need more housing options so people can stay close to their friends, neighbors, and community.
Build Workforce Housing Through Local Partnerships
Lin will work with schools, churches, and nonprofits to develop more workforce housing - prioritizing renters who already work in Sammamish. These partnerships will help provide homes for those who serve our community.
Raise the Bar on Affordability
Current requirements only ask developers to set aside 10% of new multifamily units as affordable. Lin will push to double that - to 20% - so new growth includes homes for people at all income levels.
Empower Homeowners to Add More Housing
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) can provide options for aging parents, adult children, or renters - without changing the character of a neighborhood. Lin will streamline permitting and promote pre-approved ADU designs so homeowners can add housing more easily.
CONNECTING US THROUGH
Better Transit.
Make it Easier to Get Around
Sammamish has two bus lines - but they come sporadically, serve only 228th Ave, and make too many stops in neighboring cities, adding time to our commutes. For most residents, public transit isn’t a real option. Lin believes we deserve better: reliable, convenient transportation that actually serves our neighborhoods.
Launch a Direct Shuttle to Light Rail
Lin will push for a community shuttle that connects Sammamish neighborhoods directly to the Marymoor Village Light Rail Station and the Issaquah Transit Center - with no extra stops in between.
Make Streets Safer for Everyone
More sidewalks, crosswalks, and covered bus stops will make it safer and easier to walk, wait, and ride - especially for kids, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Building a Real Network for Biking and Walking
For years, residents have asked for better connections between neighborhoods, parks, and schools. Some areas already have local trails - but they don’t link up. Lin will work to connect those existing paths, and add protected bike and pedestrian routes that weave through the city. The pieces are there. We just need to bring them together to make it easier and safer to travel without a car.
BUILDING REAL
Community Spaces.
Create Spaces That Bring Us Together
Sammamish doesn’t have enough places where people can gather, collaborate, or just spend time outside their homes. For Lin, building community means more than just hosting events - it means creating spaces where connection happens every day.
Explore and Unlock Existing Spaces
Lin will work with residents and community partners to identify existing spaces - whether in schools, churches, or public buildings - and create a centralized platform to help people find and utilize these spaces for community-led programs and events.
Turn the CWU Site into a Community Center
There’s strong grassroots momentum behind turning the former CWU building into a true community center. Lin supports this vision and will advocate for a center that includes space for teens, seniors, the arts, small businesses, and community events.
PREPARING FOR
Climate Resilience.
Strengthen the Power Grid
Lin will work with Puget Sound Energy to assess the city’s grid, identifying weak points, and invest in upgrades like burying power lines and trimming trees in high-risk areas.
Expand Emergency Shelters
Large public buildings like schools, City Hall, and the future community center should be equipped with backup power so they can serve as cooling centers or emergency shelters when needed.
Make It Easier to Protect Homes
Residents shouldn’t have to face red tape when removing diseased or dangerous trees. Lin will advocate for free permitting and easier guidelines to help homeowners keep their properties safe.
INVESTING IN
Our Youth.
Give Young People Space to Grow
Youth make up nearly one-third of Sammamish’s population, yet the city lacks spaces and programs that meet their needs. Lin believes we should invest in places where young people can explore their interests, find support, and feel a sense of belonging.
Open a Dedicated Teen Center
Lin will accelerate the creation of a teen center - modeled after The Garage in Issaquah - to provide a safe space where young people can hang out, access resources, and lead their own programming.
Create Paid Internship Opportunities
By launching a youth internship program at City Hall, Lin will help students gain experience in public service, learn how government works, and build real-world skills.
Listen to Youth Voices
Lin will partner with local high schools to host an annual youth town hall, giving students a chance to share their perspectives and shape decisions that impact their future.
DELIVERING A
Smarter Budget.
Limit the Burden on Homeowners
Right now, property taxes cover 63% of the city’s revenue - more than 3x the share in nearby cities. Lin will work to diversify the city’s revenue streams and bring in more local retail and services, so that sales taxes residents already pay are re-invested in Sammamish instead of going to Redmond or Issaquah.
Tie Spending to Outcomes
Lin will push for performance-based budgeting that links major expenses to clear goals and metrics so the city can measure what’s working and improve what’s not.
Publish Performance Metrics for Residents to See
City spending and progress shouldn’t be buried in reports. Lin will support the publishing of simple, public-facing performance metrics that show how well the city is meeting its priorities.