The City of Bothell is excited to share that minor construction is now starting at Lot EFG to transform the mostly vacant lot into a vibrant, temporary community space that will include more Pop Shops and a new food truck pad. This project is part of our ongoing effort to enhance the quality of life in Bothell and to provide more recreational opportunities for our community.
Lot EFG is a City-owned, 1.10-acre property in the core of downtown, located at the northeast corner of Bothell Way and SR 522, near Baskin Robbins. The lot is currently a remediation site, and it will take six to eight years to complete all the clean-up.
In the upcoming Downtown Subarea Plan Update, we’ll explore what a permanent site use might be from a land use and economic feasibility perspective. While the site is being prepared, City Council requested that staff study ways to temporarily activate the site. A “temporary activation” refers to short-term use and/or programming of an area to become more useable to the public and to encourage engagement.
In 2021, Bothell launched Pop Shops on Main along the west side of the lot, adjacent to Bothell Way. A new and inclusive retail marketplace, the Pop Shops are a popular and colorful addition to our downtown.
Last year, we asked the Bothell community to help us brainstorm other creative ways we could safely use the space during remediation and site prep. Desiring a quick activation of the space, City Council asked staff to initiate the first phase by adding four more Pop Shops, a food track pad, and ADA accessibility to the site.
This work is now beginning, and you may see new signs and contractors in the area. This vacant lot has sometimes been used for parking, but with construction starting, please be advised that parking is no longer allowed on the site. This measure is necessary to ensure safety as well as efficiency of the construction process. For questions, contact Ashis Joshi, Economic Development Coordinator, email: ashis.joshi@bothellwa.gov.