The city of Bothell is holding a community meeting to kick off the design phase of the Main Street enhancement and extension projects.

That undertaking may have taken on a new urgency as the city and the Northshore School District have come to agreement on Bothell’s purchase of 18 acres of soon-to-be former school property now targeted for commercial development.

The community meeting on the Main Street design project is set for 6-8 p.m. March 19 at the Northshore Senior Center, 10201 E. Riverside Drive, Bothell.

The revamping of Main Street is part of Bothell’s overall downtown revitalization project. According to Joyce Goedeke, city public-information officer, the goal is for Main Street to maintain the “feel” that makes downtown Bothell unique.

“Main Street is the heart and soul of Bothell,” added project manager Nduta Mbuthia, “and the downtown revitalization is an opportunity to refresh the look and feel of the street, while building upon the unique and historic features already here.”

According to information released by the city, two transformation projects are planned for Main Street. The roadway will be extended to connect the street grid to the west of Bothell-Everett Highway (State Route 527). Also, the existing Main Street east of SR 527 up to 102nd Avenue Northeast will be reconstructed.

The city has named as design consultant for the project Berger/ABAM Engineers Inc., of Seattle. During the design phase, they will look at not only revamping the existing street, but consider the look of what will be the new, extended portion of Main Street.

According to the city, streetscape improvements include: travel lanes, parking and sidewalk enhancements, new lighting, landscaping, benches and other amenities.

Design work should finish in 2011, with construction starting in 2012. The city has budgeted $400,000 for this phase of the work.