Washington Towns Reimagine Waterfronts

Towns like Bothell, Bellingham, Bremerton, Kirkland, and Port Angeles are all beginning waterfront projects.

"As ambitious as they may be, those plans in Bothell pale in comparison to those of other cities in western Washington.

True, some cities waited too long. Bellevue long ago gave up most of its waterfront to private homeowners and is only now getting a toehold back on a short stretch of Meydenbauer Bay. Kirkland's modest downtown waterfront park was an early win more than three decades ago, but further expansion and connections to downtown have been stalled in debates over the loss of parking and wavering political will.

But while these relatively well-heeled cities fuss and fume, a number of other cities and towns have made remarkable headway."