The metamorphosis of downtown Bothell has been nothing short of amazing to watch. The centerpiece of that redevelopment for many residents will be the new McMenamins and, across the street, the new Bothell City Hall.

The groundbreaking for the new City Hall was a landmark event and one more than a decade in the making. The new building is not cheap, coming in at an estimated and staggering $53 million. The price tag was a very controversial part of the process and one that is still questioned. But it is an addition that the city had to have. The old City Hall building is beyond outdated, and falling apart.

The enormity of redeveloping the entire downtown, while disruptive, has been done with precision. City Manager Bob Stowe, city staff and the Bothell City Council have done a nice job of pushing the projects forward. Have there been controversial aspects? Yes. How could there not be with how many projects the city has taken on during such a short time frame? But remaking an entire city center, all at the same time, is remarkable. One drive down SR-522 through Bothell can feel like reconstruction a war-torn area in another country. Sometimes the thought of “are they going to run out of cement or rebar” passes through my mind.

The realignment of 522 was the catalyst for the transformation and the result has been a much more enjoyable ride than expected – literally and figuratively.

Many city governments have a tough time getting roads repaired, redeveloping single pieces of land or just luring new construction and business. But Bothell has done all of that, and then some, all at the same time.

And while the transformation of downtown Bothell will be complete within a few short years, it is not done. It is also not fully funded yet. The addition of the parks levy to the November ballot will not only upgrade many of the public places Bothell residents enjoy on a daily basis, it is important to remember that it is the final piece of funding for the downtown projects. It will complete the multi-way boulevard on Northeast Bothell Way and the Park at Bothell Landing.

Residents don’t always get taxing measures proposed where they will see a tangible result. With this one, residents will be able to touch every project for which their money will pay. And this also goes for residents in Snohomish County. Many times during this and other redevelopment processes in Bothell the north end of the city gets left out. But this measure has parks projects in the north as well as the south.

Do I worry about the debt from all of these projects? Everyone worries about debt. But creating  a place for more businesses creates tax revenue to pay off that debt. All of these projects will be completed within the next few years and residents will see the final result on a scale I have never seen at one time in any city – for better or worse.

Matt Phelps is the regional editor for the Bothell/Kenmore Reporter.