National research scholar highlights Bothell’s downtown revitalization
Bothell was featured today in a timely dialogue on how local governments are clearing development hurdles to kick-start their economies. Representatives from more than 16 Puget Sound cities attended the event presented by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) to hear from Seattle, Bothell, Renton and Mountlake Terrace and to listen to ICSC research scholar on economic development, David Wallace, discuss his findings on area case studies at the Westin Bellevue.

In today’s marketplace, funding and development tools are available in the public sector to unlock stalled retail developments. Wallace, author of “Retail Development Through Public-Private Partnerships,” is a battle-tested public and private development expert who shared his research through local case studies to demonstrate the power of partnership and translate veteran experiences to provide keys to unlocking stalled projects. The city of Bothell was a focal point of his lecture for its downtown revitalization efforts currently under way.

“Bothell city leaders began correctly from the start with a private-sector approach to solving public-sector problems,” Wallace said. He also commended the Bothell community for its vision. “What Bothell is doing is unique. Everyone — the citizens, the leaders, the city staff — are focused on the same goal and they are taking important steps to achieve that goal.”

An article by Wallace titled, “Vision, Leadership, Commitment, Flexibility and Experience — A Model Public-Private Partnership,” which is about Bothell, will be published in an upcoming edition of Retail Property Insights.