Can Public-Private Pacts Keep Kirkland Flood-Free?

Washington city explores CBP3 framework with state grant to assess private-sector role in stormwater planning

23 Sep 2025

Kirkland, a fast-growing suburb east of Seattle, is testing a new way to manage its stormwater. The city has landed a $348,439 state grant to study a “Community-Based Public-Private Partnership,” or CBP3, that would hand parts of stormwater management to private firms under long-term, performance-based contracts.

The pilot, focused on the Central Kingsgate area, is still in its early stages. City officials have issued a request for qualifications to choose a private partner to help with planning and assessment. No construction contracts are on the table yet. The first step is testing whether this model can deliver sturdier, more resilient infrastructure than the traditional city-led approach.

The urgency is clear. Climate change is bringing heavier rains that overwhelm aging pipes and ponds. Federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, are now urging local governments to explore CBP3s. Supporters argue these partnerships can move projects faster, cut costs, and tap private investment that municipalities struggle to access.

For engineering and environmental firms, the model offers opportunity in the form of multi-year deals tied to results. The catch is that companies must show their work holds up over decades, not just until the ribbon-cutting.

Critics warn that without strict oversight, cities could end up with contracts that favor contractors over taxpayers. Safeguards will be crucial. Still, with growing maintenance backlogs and rising climate risks, the concept is gaining traction.

Kirkland’s study may be modest in size, but its outcome could ripple across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. If the blend of public accountability and private know-how works, it could become a template for other cities trying to weather the storms ahead.