Planned to become the Eastside's next urban center within the next 20 years, Overlake Village is located within the city limits of Redmond, Washington, just to the south and east of the Microsoft Headquarters Campus. Plans for the neighborhood envision redevelopment into higher density commercial/retail and residential uses that, in proximity to the employment uses at the campus, will provide a better jobs-to-housing balance on the Eastside, reduce environmental impacts associated with commute trips, and enhance quality of life for residents and workers in the region.

The City of Redmond selected Otak to examine options for multiple purpose infrastructure to serve the projected growth of the neighborhood as it transitions into a high-density, mixed-use district. Otak brought together interdisciplinary skills of water resource engineers, urban planners, and landscape architects to develop an implementation plan for collocated and integrated stormwater facilities and parks connected by trails.

The Otak team worked closely with City staff to analyze existing conditions in the neighborhood and to plan and conceptualize an integrated system of community features to minimize, control, and treat rainwater runoff (stormwater) and provide neighborhood park, recreation, and green space. The potential use of public rights-of-way (street and trail corridors) as well as low impact development (LID) opportunities on adjacent private parcels also were evaluated. LID treatments would allow for localized rainwater infiltration, treatment, and open space opportunities. Park stormwater features would be interconnected and strategically located to provide the maximum benefit to the environment while supporting a vibrant urban center. Otak served as the prime consultant with The Berger Partnership as a key partner in providing park design support.

Several other communities in the Puget Sound region are looking at similar types of integrated solutions to serve growing areas. Otak is assisting the cities of Marysville, Burien, and Everett with similar types of planning efforts.