What are your ideas to make Evergreen Way better?

Published 10:42 pm Monday, March 22, 2010

EVERETT — The city is in the midst of planning the future of Evergreen Way, and officials want to hear from you.

The public is invited to field planning sessions Saturday that are designed to stimulate “creative thinking” about the ways to improve the seven-lane commercial corridor and adjacent neighborhoods.

The first is 9 a.m. to noon at Fourth Avenue W. and Evergreen Way. Park at the Evergreen Branch Public Library, 9512 Evergreen Way.

The second is set for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 41st Street and Rucker Avenue. For the second session, park in the Everett Clinic Parking Garage, 3909 Rucker Ave. and meet at the SWIFT station in front of the clinic.

The plan for both meetings is to talk about the city’s intentions, take a walking tour and then break into small groups for a brainstorming session.

The city has spent $150,000 to hire a consulting firm to learn what the public wants for Evergreen Way, a process that is expected to last until 2011.

The city is zeroing in on a stretch of Evergreen Way from 41st Street to Gibson Road, the farthest south the city plans to grow. An additional $120,000 federal grant also will allow the city to have a say in planning beyond city limits, all the way to 148th Street SW. The city of Lynnwood is already working on a highway plan that starts at 148th and heads south to 216th Street SW.

The city eventually plans to make big changes, such as improving pedestrian and bike access; connections with surrounding neighborhoods; and aesthetic improvements such as trees.

For more information, go to http://tinyurl.com/EvergreenWay or call Jim Hanson or Dave Tyler at the planning department at 425-257-8731.

Debra Smith: 425-339-3197, dsmith@heraldnet.com.