City officials, staff and residents gathered outside of Bothell Library Oct. 5 to celebrate the grand opening of the Horse Creek improvement project.

The creek was rerouted from a pipe going underneath downtown Bothell to flow freely in a hybrid open-channel/culvert system from NE 188th Street north of Pop Keeney Field, extending along 98th Avenue NE to the Sammamish River. The project daylighted approximately 2,900 feet of the stream to provide fish safer passage and prevent flooding that occured when the pipe overflowed during large storms.

“It helps us reconnect to what makes the Northwest unique and special,” Main Street Property Group CEO Eric Campbell said at the grand opening.

The project also included the creation of a pedestrian-friendly corridor from the Sammamish River to Pop Keeney Field. “By car, by bicycle, by foot — it’s an improvement,” Public Works Director Erin Leonhart said. “I’m extremely excited about this project, and proud of it as well.”

The project cost $19.7 million with funding coming from a variety of sources, including a revenue bond, contributions from developers, utilities (sewer, water and storm and surface water) and the public works trust fund.

“It’s an investment in the future of Bothell,” Mayor Andy Rheaume said.

Rheaume thanked neighboring businesses and residents for their patience and tolerance during the project’s construction, which started in July 2014. The library is one of the neighbors, and Karen Hardiman, the library cluster manager for Bothell, Kenmore, Kingsgate and Kirkland, spoke at the grand opening.

“It’s been fascinating to watch the transition from sidewalk to stream,” she said. “We very much appreciate this connection to the city.”

In addition to remarks from community leaders, the grand opening event included free coffee provided by Social Grounds and pastries from Hillcrest Bakery, along with activities for kids.

For more information about the Horse Creek improvement project, go to www.bothellwa.gov/HorseCreek.