Stanwood hears pitch for UW campus

Published 10:47 pm Wednesday, August 15, 2007

STANWOOD – A large crowd tantalized by prospects for a University of Washington campus in their community turned out in Stanwood on Tuesday to speak out on where they want to see it built.

Clear differences on the best location emerged among the nearly 175 people seated inside a Stanwood High School auditorium.

There seemed to be strong agreement that the proposed college end up in north Snohomish County where there is available land, fewer clogged roads and a growing number of college-seeking residents.

“This is a big deal. We want to be part of the legacy,” said Robert Sandoz of Stanwood. “This is not a project for five years. This is not a project for 15 years. This is a long-term venture.”

Sandoz and two dozen other people expressed their views in the two-hour public meeting during which residents received a progress report on the search for a site and creation of an instruction plan.

A second forum was held Wednesday night in Mount Vernon. There will be one in Oak Harbor Sept. 26 and another in Everett Oct. 3.

In April, the state approved $4 million for the launch of a new four-year branch campus to serve Snohomish, Island and Skagit counties. The process is occurring on two fronts.

NBBJ of Seattle received a $1 million contract to find a site. By Nov. 15, it must make two recommendations — one for an interim location where classes can be taught in fall 2008, and the other for a permanent place for the college.

The Legislature and Gov. Chris Gregoire will consider both during the 2008 session.

Also due Nov. 15 is a sketch of the academic program to be offered.

Lee Huntsman, UW president emeritus, is leading that effort.

He told the Stanwood audience the “working vision” is to emphasize science, technology, engineering and math as well as provide “a strong core” of liberal arts and pre-professional courses.

Most comments Tuesday centered on where the college could end up.

Seventy-three sites are proposed and those that are too small or too inaccessible will get knocked out in the first cut, said Martin Regge of NBBJ.

Supporters of various properties came Tuesday to campaign before Regge and Huntsman.

“We are not voting on sites tonight,” said Marty Brown, Gregoire’s legislative director who moderated the meeting.

A proposed Stanwood site is pushed by a community group and strongly backed by the Stanwood City Council. It stirred debate among audience members.

Tom Curtis, chairman of that group, and John Russell, one of its members, urged Regge and Huntsman to consider it beneficial that their site and the Stanwood area in general offers the opportunity to expand the university if needed.

Others said a college would forever ruin Stanwood’s rural character.

Jeff Pearce said it would spark a new economy built around bars, taverns and big-box stores and stir a slew of social problems such as drunken driving.

“The University of Washington extension does not belong in the Stanwood area,” said Pearce, who grew up in the city and now lives just outside its border.

Bob Snyder of Stanwood urged Regge to ensure development complies with the state Growth Management Act and environmental protection laws.

“We want it, but where? Maybe not in our back yard,” he said. “This little jewel may not be the right place.”

A persistent comment Tuesday was to find a spot where students and university employees won’t get stuck in traffic getting to the campus.

“We are definitely looking at drive times as a major factor,” Brown said at one point.

And there were questions of fairness.

Several people asked if Everett enjoys most-favored-location status because it’s had a team of paid lobbyists pushing its interests for months.

“This process will be as scientific as we can get,” Brown said of the work led by Regge and Huntsman. But he reminded them the Legislature will act on the recommendations and that will be a political decision.

Jim Cummins of Arlington captured the emotion of a majority when he pleaded for the designing of a world-class, higher education institution.

“Make this something that is dynamic and that we can all be proud of,” he said.