After City Manager Bob Stowe spent a good bit of his annual state-of-the-city speech outlining Bothell’s various, large-scale redevelopment plans, a member of the audience asserted the amazing thing is no one really objects to those plans.

Speaking before the Greater Bothell Chamber of Commerce Jan. 12, Stowe said that for the city of Bothell, 2010 represented a shift from the envisioning of a dream to the construction of that dream. He was referring to the beginnings of the Crossroads work, as well as the reconstruction of Wayne Curve among other projects under way.

As many know, the Crossroads and Wayne Curve projects are pieces of an ambitious plan to rebuild and transform large sections of Bothell with new development. For example, the Crossroads work now under way near the intersection of the city’s two state routes will bring about a major realignment of that intersection. (Scheduled completion dates are December 2011 for Wayne Curve and October 2012 for Crossroads, according to the city’s Web site.)

But even as that work proceeds, Bothell also plans to rebuild State Route 527 into a boulevard flanked by mixed-use development, to create two new city blocks for similar development near Pop Keeney Stadium and build a new municipal complex, including a new city hall.

All in all, Stowe said the city hopes to use some $150 million in public investment to attract a potential $650 million in private investment and development. He estimated the work ultimately will create some 8,000 temporary construction jobs and up to 1,300 permanent new jobs in the city.

During a brief question-and-answer session following Stowe’s remarks, Bothell businessman Paul Desilet said while there may be disagreements over the details, no one in the room probably disagreed with the city’s overall proposals. He added that in his opinion, that harmony is a marked change from several years ago when political rancor seemed to rule the day in Bothell. Understandably, Mayor Mark Lamb later said he appreciated Desilet’s comments.

“I thought (Stowe’s) was a really good speech… It was nice to be able to step back and see what’s been accomplished,” Lamb added.

He also said the work now under way continues to be on schedule and within budget.

While Stowe spent time outlining the city’s plans, he also talked about how Bothell has been able to launch those plans despite the recent poor economy.

“Bothell’s taken some unique actions,” Stowe said, adding the work now under way took years of planing and preparation. Regarding its finances, Stowe additionally claimed Bothell has “an old-fashioned mantra: live within your means.”

While the city has not raised local taxes for six years, Stowe stated officials have regularly been adding to Bothell’s savings about 15 percent of the city’s general fund expenses, or roughly $5.8 million annually.

Stowe further claimed Bothell has a diversified revenue stream, not relying too much on either sales or property taxes.

In terms of the future, Stowe said the city does face its share of challenges, including the country’s current economic situation. But he asserted that Bothell, through its planning efforts, has put itself in a good position when the downturn swings in the other direction.

Stowe also talked about sort of matching the city’s plans with reality.

“We may have dreams of landing a five-story development, a Whole Foods and a 16-screen theater,” he said, but added, the city would have to be able to support such projects. Stowe said the retail environment is extremely competitive, so Bothell, as it develops further, will have to make sure that development is in some way unique.

“We all know that Bothell is a special place and has been for the last 101 years. We are doing what it takes to make sure Bothell thrives for the next 100 years,” Stowe said.