Bothell City Manager Bob Stowe provided attendees of the Greater Bothell Chamber of Commerce luncheon with information on the upcoming parks and public spaces levy, coming to the Nov. 4 ballot.

A panel of three Bothell residents, Roger Cecil, Jim Freese and Manny Ocampo, who worked to get the measure on the ballot also gave their opinions on why the levy is important and why voters should approve the measure.

“I have kids in sports and I love what sports teaches kids; it teaches them about hard work and how to handle commitment and discipline,” Cecil said. “I’ve seen that there are a huge shortage of park facilities, particularly in the north area of Bothell, for children to practice and to play. This levy would help solve that problem.”

The levy will fund development of two major city parks, anchoring both the north and south ends of the city with recreational and public space for community events. The first development is to expand the park at Bothell Landing by including a new bridge to Sammamish River Trail and gathering plaza for community events. The park will also tie into the overall fabric of downtown by allowing park users to easily access downtown amenities such as restaurants, services, and shops.

The city also wants to acquire a large property in north Bothell and development of a major new park including a new skate park, off-leash area and play fields will serve the recreational needs of this fast-growing area.

“Over the past several years, much progress has been made toward achieving the community’s vision for the city,” Stowe said. “Private investments are transforming downtown Bothell into a vibrant, residential, shopping, dining and central hub. But while Bothell is a healthy city financially, existing revenues are insufficient to pay for the projects envisioned to make our public parks and spaces the best they can be.”

Bothell City Council members say the levy coincides with the city’s Imagine Bothell Comprehensive Plan, which calls for both private and public improvements. Stowe pointed out that public investments have already leveraged more than $200 million in private investment, which amounts to more than a 200 percent return on the city’s investment. More private projects are anticipated, generating an anticipated total of $650 million of private investment in the Bothell community, helping fund further capital project needs in the city.

“The timing of the ballot measure reflects the reality of rapidly dwindling land suitable for parks and public spaces, ” Stowe said. “It is intended to provide the opportunity for voters to have their say on the matter before suitable land for these vital community enhancements is used for other purposes.”

The levy requires residents pay an additional tax assessment, which would be around $10 per month for a home valued at $300,000. The cost would be more for the owners of a home with a higher assessed value and less for owners of a home with a lower value. The levy is limited to 25 years and over the course of that times, as assessed valuation increases throughout Bothell, the amount to individual tax payers would be less.

The total levy would provide $42 million in expanded and new recreational facilities and public gathering places for the community.

The panel expressed the benefits of passing the levy as it would fund the following multiple city projects including the park at Bothell Landing, new north Bothell park (Snohomish County), North Creek Field No. 3 Turf, East Norway Hill Sportfields Improvements and Off-Leash Area, North Creek Forest and other Open Space Acquisition and Development, Multiway Boulevard: Main Street Extension (acquisition); and Main Street Enhancement.

City members say they will lose the opportunity to purchase land if the levy doesn’t pass.