I think about stuff as I drive. It’s my one-on-one business meeting time.

I make my way to Redmond via State Route 522 from north Seattle each day, and as I drive through Bothell, the wheels in my mind start turning.

I used to work for the paper there and know all about the city’s downtown revitalization plans. Right now, people are at work behind the chain-link fences, preparing the area near downtown for the re-routing of SR 522 and construction of new buildings for businesses in the former Bothell Landing area.

Nearby, a McMenamin’s hotel and entertainment complex will take over the old Anderson School building.

In Redmond, you can see the cranes, which means construction is under way for future downtown housing. Over at Redmond Town Center, new businesses are on the way.

Who knows what the future will bring for new businesses in the downtown and outlying areas.

Will it be what you as residents would like to see coming to town?

Do you like what you see now — do you frequent local businesses and keep them going in the tough economy?

I may not call Redmond home, but I spend much of my waking hours here and like what I see. There’s a good variety of businesses that have been here for a long time and a handful of new ones that are giving Redmond a shot.

Some will succeed and unfortunately some won’t. It’s the nature of things and being in the right place at the right time.

So, when you drive around Redmond and see what’s out there, remember to take advantage of your surroundings.

And if you’ve got an idea for something that you feel would be a good fit for Redmond, let city officials know about it and maybe they can get the word out.

It’s your voice. It’s your town.