A newly approved plan that could bring thousands of new homes, businesses and jobs to Mill Creek’s South Town Center is receiving mixed reactions from residents, with some welcoming new restaurants and activities while others worry about traffic, housing costs and the community’s involvement in the decision.

The Mill Creek City Council approved the South Town Center Subarea Master Plan, zoning changes and design standards Sept. 1. The long-term plan creates a framework for redevelopment south of the existing Mill Creek Town Center and could support more than 5,000 new homes and more than 1,000 jobs through 2044. The plan does not approve a specific construction project but establishes guidelines for future development.

For some residents, the possibility of new businesses and activities is a welcome change.

Kathy Redman, a Mill Creek resident who has lived in the city for 11 years, said she was surprised to learn about the council’s decision and supports adding more housing and businesses to the area.

“We need more housing for the area and new businesses,” Redman said.

Redman said her biggest hope is to see more restaurants and activities that would give residents more reasons to stay in Mill Creek.

“Having new stores and restaurants to spice up the town,” she said, would be one of the biggest benefits of the plan. She also said she would like to see “more nightlife activities and restaurants.”

However, Redman is concerned that additional development could worsen traffic.

“Traffic is already congested on Bothell Everett Highway and 164th and creating more living spaces is going to strongly affect this,” she said.

Redman also questioned whether residents were adequately informed about the plan before the council approved it.

“I think the people of Mill Creek should have been more informed on this plan and possibly had a voice in the decision-making process,” she said.

Other residents are more skeptical about adding housing to the city.

Georgia Petosa, who has lived in Mill Creek her entire life, said she was also unaware of the council’s plan. While she supports adding more activities and restaurants, she does not believe the city needs more apartments.

Petosa said Mill Creek is “already overcrowded and more apartments isn’t a good idea.”

She is particularly concerned about the potential effect of additional residents on housing costs and traffic.

“Having more people makes housing more expensive and I already struggle with paying rent,” Petosa said.

She also pointed to existing traffic problems, saying, “It’s not like we need more traffic when it takes 20 minutes to get down 164th.”

Petosa said she would like to see more adult-oriented businesses, including “maybe even a new bar since we only have 2 in the whole town.” She also wants more diversity in the restaurants available to residents.

Jackson Craig, who has lived in Mill Creek for eight years, was aware of the plan before the interview and said he is excited about the potential changes.

Craig said new buildings could be interesting and potentially provide “a nice place to live in the future,” although he is unsure about taller buildings because “we have nothing above a 3 story building here.”

Craig sees additional housing as a potential benefit, particularly for younger residents.

“The biggest benefit will be more affordable housing for single people,” he said.

While Craig is also concerned about traffic, he believes having more businesses and activities closer to residents could reduce the need to travel elsewhere.

“I think the traffic is already bad but having more locations close by might mean less traveling so far away,” he said.

Craig said he would also welcome more nightlife options, particularly for younger adults. However, he worries about how long construction could last.

“I think the plan could improve Mill Creek but the construction is going to last for way too long which I’m not happy about,” he said.

The three residents agreed that more information and community involvement would be important as the plan moves forward. For residents, the biggest questions now may be how quickly redevelopment will happen, how the city will address traffic and how the changes will affect the cost and character of Mill Creek.

While the approved plan sets the framework for future development, the changes envisioned for South Town Center are expected to occur over time rather than immediately.

Sources:

Kathy Redman
Mill Creek resident, 11 years
Interviewed in person
Phone: 425-750-4130

Georgia Petosa
Mill Creek resident, lifelong resident
Interviewed in person
Phone: 425-419-8661

Jackson Craig
Mill Creek resident, 8 years
Interviewed by phone
Phone: 425-405-2879

Document Sources:

 “Mill Creek Approves Plan for New South Town Center Neighborhood.” Mill Creek Beacon, 2026. MSN.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/mill-creek-approves-plan-for-new-south-town-center-neighborhood/ar-AA2bw6jP

Mill Creek Beacon. “Home.” Mill Creek Beacon, 2026.
https://www.millcreekbeacon.com/