Ashley Berg *Seattle's Green Real Estate Agent*

I had a woman contact me the other day wondering what changes were taking place towards the Mountlake Terrace Downtown Revitalization. Since the city hasn't updated their website in awhile, I contacted Shane Hope, the Community and Economic Development Director for the city of MLT. He was very helpful and passed along the following list to show the efforts and progress towards the revitalization:

--New downtown regulations (at http://www.ci.mountlake-terrace.wa.us/forBusinesses/pdf/BCD_Amend_ORD_08.04.08_Fnl.pdf ) and design standards (at http://www.ci.mountlake-terrace.wa.us/forBusinesses/pdf/DesignStandards_TC_August2008_Fnl.pdf ) implement the adopted Town Center Plan.

--The Town Center Environmental Impact Statement was issued last year.

--A Town Center Planned Action Ordinance to streamline the SEPA process for downtown projects was adopted last year.

--New parking standards (with stall dimensions + options for shared parking) have been adopted.

--The City has incorporated $3 million into its capital plan to develop a downtown public plaza.

--Mountlake Terrace has adopted a "Sustainability Strategy" encouraging green building and other practices.

--A new five-level park-and-ride garage (1/4 mile from downtown, adjacent to I-5 and 236^th)) is under construction.

--Construction of a Sounds Transit "Freeway Station" (an express bus station that will be in the median of I-5 and connect via a pedestrian bridge to the adjacent park-and-ride garage) will start in early 2009 and be completed in 2010.

--A new citywide Economic Vitality Strategy is expected to be ready for public review by October 10.

--The City Council has appointed a taskforce to provide recommendations by the end of the year on what to do regarding the need for new civic facilities, including a community center that could be located downtown.

--Our "development services" (permitting) program has been revamped to be even more efficient.

The city is always glad to share information or respond to questions about downtown revitalization in Mountlake Terrace. Shane Hope can be reached at 425.744.6281. An associate planner, Paula Schwartz at 425.744.6280, can provide day-to-day information about permits or arrange to provide copies of plot plans for any parcel; she also can schedule pre-application meetings.

Most likely, you have a local market such as PCC or Whole Foods that is a postive contributor to the neighborhood by offering organic, and healthy food options. Not all of us, however, are lucky enough to have the small MOM-and-POP-style store that Sunset Hill's Green Market offers. One of my clients told me about the store when I was showing them a home just down the street. Later that week, I was in the neighborhood again and needed to make a quick stop to up my energy supply (by eating). I thought I would check it out and I was most pleasantly suprised. I didn't even consider that because the name of the store was "Green Market" that they would supply healthy food choices. Since I am so passionate about the green movement, this store is right up my alley. The small store is stocked to the brim with healthy, organic food options whether you are going home to cook or are simply on the run. Fresh produce, wine, snacks, cheeses, and more. Stop on in the next time you are in the area. It will make you smile.

I love Seattle Real Estate! Why? Because Seattle has so much character!!! I have been to many neighboring suburbs and have found rows and rows of subdivisions where each house is almost the exact replica of the one next door...or maybe the neighborhood is so dated it only hosts Tri-level homes. And I admit, I live in ones of those dated neighborhoods, housing mostly ramblers. But slowly and surely, it will start to diversify itself... just as soon as people start the needed phases of remodeling and updating.

Seattle has already been there and done that though....many times. Styles have come and gone. Some have stuck it out for the long run and through much love, still show the charm and authenticity of the original home. There is so much diversity and richness in this city, I just love it! My favorite homes are either old Craftsman or Ultra-Modern "Green" homes. Here I can find them next door to one another. You can have a small vintage Cape Cod on the corner, new townhomes next door, a large Craftsman next to that, a Modern loft home after that, and a commercial space on the other corner...ALL on ONE block!

So I guess what I am saying is that I like DIVERSITY. How boring would this world be if everyone had blonde hair and green eyes like me? I certainly wouldn't stand out in a crowd. Isn't that what we each ultimately want? To be individuals? And wouldn't we want the same for our homes? Well, I certainly do but then again I am not everyone...

...there are those who like to be a little more inconspicuous....a bit of a mystery...I should say. Perhaps those are the type of people who love to live in the rows of subdivisions I speak of. There are people that love them...obviously, since they are being built at the speed of light. Maybe the person that lives there is the type of person who doesn't lay it all out there on the first date. They hold themselves back and reveal a little bit of themselves at a time. Me, I always seemed to be the one who puked up all of my shortcomings on the first date just so I could get it off of my chest. Or maybe they are the person who prefers to live like their neighbor, leaving out that competitive....I am better-than-you attitude. Or maybe people truly love that sense of community since many of the subdivisions create wonderful amenities such as pools, playgrounds, sport courts, Fitness centers, beach or lake rights, golf, etc. Also, some gated communities offer the extra amenity of security.

I realize the world isn't black or white, how boring that would be huh? We all have our own likes and dislikes. One thing I am starting to learn as I grow older is that individuality is what makes the world go round. I used to try to force feed my beliefs to those around me, sometimes getting blue in the face when they "JUST DIDN'T GET IT!"...

But now I get it. I don't want everyone to like everything I like, or believe everything I believe, or act like I act.

I just wanna be me....and I appreciate that YOU ARE YOU.

So Seattle lovers and Suburb lovers and Country lovers=Diversity. Hooray for that.

As I go back and read this post, I realize that I was really rambling but I am gonna post it anyway. So thanks for listening.

One of my favorite intersections in Seattle is located in the Wedgwood neighborhood on 35th and 70th. It is the corner that boasts Grateful Bread Baking Company on one side of the street and Top Pot Donuts on the other. I eat here many times throughout the year. The funny thing is that I never leave my house with the intention to go to either of these places. It is more like it draws me there in an energy-pulling sort of way. I often find myself in that neighborhood viewing homes or visiting a friend. If I so much as drive by and see the large donut and the Grateful Bread sign, I will pull over. I almost always do. If it is a cold day I will go in for a bowl of soup and bread. Sometimes I will order a Chai or a coffee. I take my daughter with me on occasions. They have a great selection of cookies and baked goods. They offer sandwiches and quiche as well. It is one of those "home-cooked with wholesome goodness" places.

Then if I am feeling extra adventurous...I head over to Top Pot Donuts...Yummmmm!

Make sure to stop if you're in the neighborhood. You won't be sorry.

You know, I have always looked at those play areas in the mall and thought to myself how boring they looked. I guess I should eat my words, as it is one of my 23 month old daughter, Piper's, favorite places to go. I have to say, it isn't as bad as I thought. When it is cold or rainy out, the outdoor parks don't always sound so appealing. We know they don't mind, as they are running around and able to keep warm, but just standing there watching can get quite chilly. So, on those days, we have found the indoor play area at the Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood, WA to be quite delightful. My daughter loves being with other children her age and loves to climb. This place is perfect for her and it allows me to grab a cup of joe and just sit and relax.

Well, except for those moments when my little dare-devil pushes her limits....