The Mountlake Terrace City Council took another step this week that they hope will eventually lead to economic development of the former Evergreen Elementary site along the east side of I-5 at 236th Street Southwest and undeveloped land south to the Gateway Plaza district at 244th Street Southwest and Ballinger Way.
A Planned Action Ordinance (PAO) for the Freeway/Tourist district was passed 5-0 by the council on Monday night. The action identifies, streamlines and integrates environmental reviews that would be necessary for any planned development in the area. The PAO is based on an environmental impact statement completed by the city in December 2012.
Although no new development is planned for the district at this time, the city believes it could accommodate 800,000 square feet of commercial/office and retail space, in addition to an extension of Gateway Place north to 236th Street Southwest from the present business district off 244th Street Southwest. The current dead-end street provides access to existing businesses in the Gateway Plaza that include a movie theater, restaurant, office supply store, beauty school, medical clinic, motel and office building. The passage of the PAO eliminates the need for a separate environmental review for the street to be extended.
The site of the former Evergreen Elementary School is still owned by the Edmonds School District and makes up much of the land prime for development in the area. The school district has expressed support for such plans, and hopes to lease its property to potential developers, said Mountlake Terrace Community and Economic Development Director Shane Hope.
“This is going to help tremendously,” Councilmember Kyoko Matsumoto Wright said of the PAO. “I’m glad we’re one of the city’s that is looking ahead and getting these things done.”
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