A small creek, Thornton Creek, flows in a large pipe under the Northgate Transit Center and the former south lot of the Northgate Mall. A new plan will do an extreme makeover on that portion of the south lot not being used for the Transit Center.

Thornton Creek will be “daylighted” by digging up the big pipes and landscaping the creek so that it flows in the open, with grass and plantings, curving around the south part of the land and curving northeast to go back into the pipe under Fifth Avenue Northeast.

The design of the creek will provide for accepting drainage from surrounding areas and to filter out much of the pollution.

The creek bed and banks will be landscaped in a fairly natural way with native plants. The areas along the creek will be made more park like and very attractive and relaxing. Walkways and pedestrian bridges will allow pedestrians to enjoy the setting. The walkways will also interconnect the creek area with adjacent buildings and streets, with the Transit Center, and with Northgate Mall.

The area of the lot on the north side of Thornton Creek will be developed with a multi-story mixed-use building, probably with a multi-screen cinema, retail space, and offices on the ground floor, and apartments and/or condominiums on the upper floors.

The southeast portion off the lot will be the site of a new retirement home.

A new street, 3rd Ave. N.E., will be built from N.E. 100th St. to N.E. 103rd St. and will run between the Transit Center and the development described above.