MLT, the Mill Creek of 10 years ago?

I recently cam upon a quote about Mountlake Terrace and wanted MLTnews readers’ thoughts on it. The quote is from the sales web site for the new Monterra townhouse development on 48th Ave W:

The city of Mountlake Terrace is going through major development changes and is being compared to the Mill Creek of 10 years ago.

I asked our followers on Facebook and Twitter and here are some of their responses:

I really like what has happened in the Mill Creek Town Square area, as well as Kirkland. It is nice to have clusters of stores and restaurants, not strip malls because it encourages walking by local residents.
Yes, anything that encourages walking is fantastic. Strip malls are ugly. I know there are big plans for a town center, but honestly, I am not holding my breath. I hope it comes to fruition, but I have seen wealthier towns than ours struggle with funding and plans….
Ain’t gonna happen… Mill Creek has been successful because of it’s adherence, since its founding, to a single BIG plan. MLT (I love you) has always been developed according to a bunch of little plans, in large part because of the populace’s competing visions of what the town could/should be. I CAN see future development akin to Monroe’s Main Street example, however.
Hard to compare, Mill Creek has always been on the highway 527 corridor. Conversely there is no reason to go to MLT unless you live here. The relative isolation of MLT and the proximity to Lynnwood and Alderwood shopping areas would make it hard for Terrace to become a new Mill Creek.
Mountlake Terrace will always be a great bedroom community for those working in any of the three top cities in the State. Mill Creek is still a bedroom community, albeit a newer one due to new development. We have tons of 1950s construction around that is not in great condition. As for the development, now is a horrible time to be developingbecause leasing comes before the sticks and bricks. Any leases signed now would be at rock-bottom prices, insufficient to underwrite the loans or bonds needed to finance the construction.
The obvious key to make this happen will be attracting developers who like getting land at less expensive prices, yet have the capital to invest in making an already great little “unknown” city into a destination for dinner, shopping, etc. The park & ride will help with needed parking & is already built. With a few tweaks on the nearby parks, it becomes a great place to visit.

What do you think?

Interesting comments and feedback you got Dustin –

I have long thought that Mountlake Terrace is so completely under rated compared to some of these other Seattle suburbs. I do agree that the city needs to think bigger, but they have the perfect infrastructure in place already to help them along. The transit system in MLT is one of the best in nearby suburbs and the close proximity to Seattle, Everett or even the Eastside prime the city to be better than Mill Creek ten years ago.

We already have some great businesses in MLT (I know you know my faves) – we just need more! Does the city offer enough incentives to encourage new biz to take a chance on MLT?

Citizen awareness seems to really have improved over the last five years that I have personally noticed. The annual clean up is vital, but not quite enough – maybe every six months? A lot of this increased community pride is due in large part to your blog:)

Real estate has slowed everywhere, but MLT still has a great product for the most part. There is nothing compared to the Mill Creek Golf Course area with its paths, etc., but neighborhoods seem to be really trying to join forces and improves the area. A perfect example is the now biggest (that I know of) holiday light show in the neighborhood across from QFC which pretty much took over as the biggest after Brier Lights stopped. That neighborhood already has one of the very nicest houses in MLT in it – you know the one right on the corner? His house is spotless, his cars are shiney and clean, and his lawn is impeccable. I would love to see my husband take a cue from him LOL –

Sorry to hijack your post – I guess i had more feedback than I thought:) I am excited for MLT’s future and happy with some of the wonderful things that have happened so far!

Courtney says:

January 23, 2010 at 2:45 pm

Interesting comments and feedback you got Dustin –

I have long thought that Mountlake Terrace is so completely under rated compared to some of these other Seattle suburbs. I do agree that the city needs to think bigger, but they have the perfect infrastructure in place already to help them along. The transit system in MLT is one of the best in nearby suburbs and the close proximity to Seattle, Everett or even the Eastside prime the city to be better than Mill Creek ten years ago.

We already have some great businesses in MLT (I know you know my faves) – we just need more! Does the city offer enough incentives to encourage new biz to take a chance on MLT?

Citizen awareness seems to really have improved over the last five years that I have personally noticed. The annual clean up is vital, but not quite enough – maybe every six months? A lot of this increased community pride is due in large part to your blog:)

Real estate has slowed everywhere, but MLT still has a great product for the most part. There is nothing compared to the Mill Creek Golf Course area with its paths, etc., but neighborhoods seem to be really trying to join forces and improves the area. A perfect example is the now biggest (that I know of) holiday light show in the neighborhood across from QFC which pretty much took over as the biggest after Brier Lights stopped. That neighborhood already has one of the very nicest houses in MLT in it – you know the one right on the corner? His house is spotless, his cars are shiney and clean, and his lawn is impeccable. I would love to see my husband take a cue from him LOL –

Sorry to hijack your post – I guess i had more feedback than I thought:) I am excited for MLT’s future and happy with some of the wonderful things that have happened so far!

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