Because I specialize in Bothell real estate, I am in downtown Bothell all the time and keep up on all the exciting development underway with the new downtown redevelopment, but in case you aren’t, I thought I’d give you a quick peek at the exciting work underway. First of all, I think it is admirable that the city of Bothell purchased the Nortshore School District property for $20.67 million with mostly cash they had by not spending one-time revenues, but instead they saved them. It is also exciting that the city has partnered with the McMenamin family, famous for its brew pubs and hotels, but also its commitment to preservation in the midst of development, so the Anderson School Building will be incorporated into a 70 room hotel, not torn down and replaced by one. Additionally, there will be a swimming pool that will be free to Bothell residents for 15 years!
As for the civic campus, there will be a new city hall, expanded park at Bothell Landing with connections to downtown including playgrounds, bike trails, boat rentals for the river, and tons of fun activities for families to enjoy. Intermingled will be housing with retail stores to add a rich flavor to the area already strong due to a growing economically stable population, strong neighborhoods, and an employment base grounded in biotech, telecommunications, and two outstanding institutions of higher education in Cascadia Community College and the UW Bothell Campus. Local businesses are in strong support of the redevelopment and new life it will bring to the area. Owners of business such as Bothell Furniture and Hillcrest Bakery know more people and more retail to downtown Bothell will be good for their businesses, which is good for Bothell. City officials expect new energy and investments on Main Street as well as nearby Highway 527 once it is redesigned and becomes “The Boulevard.” Designers believe this will attract retail, entertainment and restaurants, with an added incentive that the environmental paperwork is all complete, so developers can get started right away. (Some specific information gleaned from “Bothell Teams with McMenamins for Visionary Urban Redevelopment,” by Lance Dickie, published in “The Seattle Times,” June 24, 2010.)
