By Dennis Box-The Courier-Herald

The first step in Bonney Lake's downtown plan has suddenly moved into high gear.

A special City Council took place Nov. 20 at the Greenwood Development site on the north side of Sumner-Buckley Highway next to Priced Right Print and Sign.

The development is planned for nearly seven acres and includes multifamily, office and retail buildings. The plan is for about 20 percent commercial space and 80 percent residential.

The area of the development also includes the 184th Avenue East extension, connecting 184th from across Sumner-Buckley Highway to 182nd Avenue East.

In the downtown plan, 184th Avenue will become “main street” for the area. The plan includes nearly 95 acres and takes in a triangular area with 184th Avenue on the west border and state Route 410 on the southeast. The plan design calls for a walkable city center with shops, restaurants, City Hall and central plaza.

The earthwork construction for the 184th extension at the Greenwood site is being handled by Bowen Construction from Buckley. Paving of the road is planned for February or March. The company is also installing sewer lines and storm drains and building a retention pond.

While the road construction is moving ahead, Greenwood developers are preparing for the building phase, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.

John Vodopich, the city's community planning director, said this is the “first significant step in the downtown plan and I am surprised how quickly they are able to move ahead.”

At the meeting, most appeared impressed at the progress, but not all were happy with the building phase.

Tina Fite, a neighbor who lives on 182nd, said she thinks the overall development is good, but disagreed with some of the zoning allowed by the City Council.

“I'm not opposed to development, but I'm opposed to multi-family in single family residential,” she said.

The Greenwood developers noted their multi-family construction will consist of high-end townhouses.

The city is moving forward with the rest of the downtown design. Recently, council members approved the acquisition of four parcels in the downtown area for the civic center at a cost of about $3.6 million.

Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@courierherald.com.