South Town Center Subarea Plan Mill Creek, Washington

With the goal of identifying the best future land uses for the area, the South Town Center Subarea Plan was completed in alignment with Washington Growth Management Act requirements as part of broader updates to the Mill Creek comprehensive plan. In addition to working with the city to collaboratively engage diverse community interests, the Otak team also provided planning, market and economic development analysis, and urban design/placemaking concepts for a plan that extends the look and feel of the city’s highly successful town center southward.

Creating Guidelines to Develop a Community’s Social and Commercial Core

In the southern portion of Mill Creek, Washington, is the vital corridor of Mill Creek Boulevard and the South Town Center subarea. In supporting the continued vibrancy and success of the town center that accommodates future growth in Mill Creek, this subarea plan envisioned a future with more housing choices and job opportunities. Originally developed in the 19980’s, properties in the subarea were zoned as business park and community business. The new vision calls for mixed-use redevelopment with a highly walkable network, accessible to bus rapid transit stations, new public spaces, and festival street areas designed for events and celebrations. Based on input from residents, the business community, and affected property owners, the plan was created through a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach. Updates to Mill Creek’s comprehensive plan would follow, using the vision for this subarea along with additional amendments, in advancing the city’s broader growth goals.