Front Porch
Published 1:30 am Friday, July 5, 2019
HEADS UP
Rucker makeover starting soon
Starting Monday, construction will be underway on the Rucker Renewal project, transforming five blocks of downtown Everett into a more pedestrian-friendly corridor.
As a result, expect road closures and detours.
According to the city, the initial phase of the project will shut down Rucker Avenue between Hewitt and Everett avenues. It will also close Hoyt Avenue, between Pacific Avenue and Wall Street.
Traffic will be rerouted to West Marine View Drive, by way of Everett and Pacific avenues. Pedestrian access on the closed streets will remain open.
The city will be working with businesses to minimize impact, said Tom Hood, Rucker streetscape project manager.
“We know how important it is for Everett’s downtown businesses to have parking available for their customers, and ensuring adequate parking is a high priority of the city,” he said. “Project phasing, in our minds, is all about the parking, and we are doing everything we can to facilitate access during the project.”
The project is expected to take seven months.
More info: everettwa.gov/RuckerRenewal
OPPORTUNITIES
Community walks
Join south county community walks, scheduled four times a week through the end of September, excluding holidays. Participate one time, eight times or all 55 times. Walks will typically be two to three miles and take about an hour.
Rain or shine, they take place: 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Olympic Beach Visitor Station (by the fishing pier), 200 Admiral Way, Edmonds; 6:00 p.m. Thursdays at the Lynnwood Rec Center, 18900 44th Ave. W, Lynnwood; 9:30 a.m. Saturdays at the Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion, 5303 228th St. SW, Mountlake Terrace; 6:00 p.m. Mondays at the Verdant Community Wellness Center, 4710 196th St. SW, Lynnwood.
More info: Go to the South County Walks webpage, call 425-582-8600, or email info@verdanthealth.org. Join the South County Walks group on Facebook for updates and news throughout the summer.
Water safety camp
Children ages 6 to 12 are invited to learn water safety with Fire District 7. The camp is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 8 at Lundeen Park, 10020 Lundeen Park Way, Lake Stevens. Space is limited to 20 campers.
Kids will learn to find the right flotation devices and how to use them, what symbols mean on signs posted around the water, the importance of wearing a life jacket and how it should fit, the dangers of different kinds of water, and how to help when it looks like someone is in distress.
Last year, eight people drowned in Snohomish County, according to the district.
Fire District 7 also has a free Life Jacket Loaner Program. Visit Fire Station 31 — 163 Village Court in Monroe — to get a life jacket for the day or weekend.
More info: To register go to www.snofire7.org/preparedness_education/community_education, or call 425-254-2662
