Library may top Mill Creek’s Target store

MILL CREEK — The city of Mill Creek and Target are considering a first-of-its-kind store in the nation that could save taxpayers $1 million.

City officials are working with Target executives and the Sno-Isle Library District on plans for a store that would feature a library above the retail space.

“We’re optimistic, but it’s by no means a done deal,” Mill Creek Community Development Director Tom Rogers said. “It’s a wait and see.”

Sno-Isle is looking for a larger space to house the Mill Creek branch, which is the third busiest of the district’s 21 libraries. Communications Director Ken Harvey said sharing costs with Target could save taxpayers $1 million on a new, larger library.

The Target and library could be located in the west portion of the East Gateway Urban Village, which is on the south side of 132nd Street between Seattle Hill Road and 35th Avenue SE. Sno-Isle determined the location as feasible for Mill Creek’s library in a study conducted a few years ago.

The city does not own the property and would not be responsible for its development. Rogers is connecting the people who could make the project happen.

The Target store and the library would share a building but own their separate areas, not unlike the way ownership is handled in a condominium.

“It would be a very unique thing, ” City Manager Ken Armstrong said.

Because Mill Creek has little remaining undeveloped property, city officials are looking at maximizing future economic growth by attracting high-end retailers.

The city often hears from people in town about retailers they’d like to see locate there, including Target and Trader Joe’s.

Other business could follow if the combined store and library comes to the city.

“Target is a big draw,” Rogers said.

Still, the city wants the businesses to fit with Mill Creek’s character. The city would require Target to design a different look with higher-quality materials for its Mill Creek store.

“It would have to have its own identity,” Rogers said. “It couldn’t just be a box.”

Mill Creek is hoping to hear from Target on the proposed project early this year.

Regardless of Target’s decision, a new Mill Creek library would need voter approval.

The city’s residents have shown interest in putting a bond on the ballot, according to surveys conducted by Sno-Isle. In a January 2013 survey, people said Mill Creek’s branch is too small and limited parking remains a problem.

The existing library at 15429 Bothell-Everett Highway is 7,500-square-feet. That’s less than a third the size of the Lynnwood branch. Sno-Isle determined Mill Creek requires 40,000 square-feet to meet the community’s needs over the next 20 years.

“We’re continuing to hear from folks in the community that they’re ready to get things going,” Harvey said.

If voters pass a bond for a larger library, the existing branch would have to close so levy funding could cover operations costs.

Once Sno-Isle has a clear answer from Target, it expects to continue discussions with the community.

“Absolutely nothing can happen without taxpayers and voters having a say,” Harvey said.

Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Everett Historic Theater owner Curtis Shriner inside the theater on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Historic Everett Theatre sale on horizon, future uncertain

With expected new ownership, events for July and August will be canceled. The schedule for the fall and beyond is unclear.

Contributed photo from Snohomish County Public Works
Snohomish County Public Works contractor crews have begun their summer 2016 paving work on 13 miles of roadway, primarily in the Monroe and Stanwood areas. This photo is an example of paving work from a previous summer. A new layer of asphalt is put down over the old.
Snohomish County plans to resurface about 76 miles of roads this summer

EVERETT – As part of its annual road maintenance and preservation program,… Continue reading

City of Everett Engineer Tom Hood, left, and City of Everett Engineer and Project Manager Dan Enrico, right, talks about the current Edgewater Bridge demolition on Friday, May 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How do you get rid of a bridge? Everett engineers can explain.

Workers began dismantling the old Edgewater Bridge on May 2. The process could take one to two months, city engineers said.

Smoke from the Bolt Creek fire silhouettes a mountain ridge and trees just outside of Index on Sept. 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County will host two wildfire-preparedness meetings in May

Meetings will allow community members to learn wildfire mitigation strategies and connect with a variety of local and state agencies.

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helion celebrates smoother path to fusion energy site approval

Helion CEO applauds legislation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson expected to streamline site selection process.

Vehicles travel along Mukilteo Speedway on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mukilteo cameras go live to curb speeding on Speedway

Starting Friday, an automated traffic camera system will cover four blocks of Mukilteo Speedway. A 30-day warning period is in place.

Carli Brockman lets her daughter Carli, 2, help push her ballot into the ballot drop box on the Snohomish County Campus on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Here’s who filed for the primary election in Snohomish County

Positions with three or more candidates will go to voters Aug. 5 to determine final contenders for the Nov. 4 general election.

Sound Transit approves contract to build Bothell bus facility

The 365,000-square-foot facility will be the heart of the agency’s new Stride bus rapid transit system, set to open in 2028.

One dead in Everett crash involving motorcycle and two vehicles

Police shut down the 10300 block of Evergreen Way in both directions during the multi-vehicle collision investigation.

Katie Wallace, left, checks people into the first flight from Paine Field to Honolulu on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Executive order makes way for Paine Field expansion planning

Expansion would be a long-range project estimated to cost around $300 million.

A person pauses to look at an art piece during the Schack Art Center’s 50th anniversary celebration on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett to seek Creative District designation

The city hopes to grow jobs in the creative sector and access new grant funds through the state label.

Former Herald writer Melissa Slager’s new book was 14-year project

The 520-page historical novel “Contests of Strength” covers the 1700 earthquake and tsunami on Makah lands.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.