'New Town' Takes Shape In So. Snohomish County

To the neighbors, it's probably come as a bit of a surprise. But that "new town" in South Snohomish they've talked about since 1966 has, in 1975, come alive.

The Mill Creek site is 1,073 acres at the corner of SW 164th and the Bothell-Everett Highway (a mile or so east of Interstate 5). The developers say it's to become a complete self-contained suburban city, with 4,600 homesites, condominiums and townhouses, a "mini-mall" shopping center, light industrial activity, an 18-hole golf course-country club, tennis club and all the trimmings.

The golf course-community center-tennis club complex, at the center of the development, are nearing completion. United Development Corporation, which bought the acreage about a year ago, started construction in January.

Victor Kihara, United Development's vice president, says he expects construction of homes to begin in July, the clubhouse-tennis complex to be completed in August, the first homes to be available for public inspection in October, and the golf course to be ready for play next spring.

The name "Mill Creek" may confuse some. When first conceived by the former owners in 1966, they called it "Olympus." Then the name was changed to "Klahanie."

Kihara says the newest -- and permanent -- name was chosen "because we wanted something water-oriented." Penny Creek, a tributary which eventually feeds into Lake Washington, crosses the property and threads through the golf course.

Inside the new town's boundaries, anyway, Penny will be called Mill. That's because United plans to build a rustic old mill on the southeast corner of the property, over a newly constructed fish ladder. The ladder is to re-establish a salmon run stopped by an earth-fill dam in the 1930s.

Construction of the old mill has been held up temporarily until they can locate an authentic old waterwheel. Kihara explains that the architect, John Sato, wants the waterwheel first so its mill can be designed in proper scale.

A 37-acre nature park, with trails, will be adjacent to the old mill. In addition, there will be neighborhood play areas, ponds (part of the storm drainage holding system), and three school sites in the project.

The nearly complete tennis club, with three indoor courts, is sunk eight feet into the ground so it won't dominate the community center-clubhouse complex. There will be three lighted outside tennis courts.

The clubhouse-center radiates from a massive, vaulted-ceilinged entry area. With cathedral ceilings and cedar siding throughout, the center will include a restaurant, cocktail lounge, meeting area, pro shop, locker and shower facilities.

Kihara said the first 50 tennis memberships would sell for $1,500, and the first 100 golf memberships for $3,000. Subsequent memberships to the maximum 200 tennis and 500 golf will go up in price.

Lots are expected to sell from $8,500 to $19,500, and completed homes, $40,000 and up.

About 15 acres adjacent to the golf course has been set aside for condominiums, but Kihara says he expects it will be a while before any condos are built -- because of the area's currently overbuilt condo market.

United Development is a Seattle-based company organized specifically to develop Mill Creek. Kihara says the company includes both local and international corporate investors.

Managing contractor is Ohbayashi America Corp., of Los Angeles and Bothell. Sato Corp., Seattle, is general contractor. Construction financing is being provided by Rainier National Bank. The golf course was designed by Theodore Robinson, Los Angeles, who also designed the Sahalee Seattle Golf Club, Sudden Valley and Meridian Valley courses.