Is a new ballpark what Everett needs most?

Published 1:30 am Sunday, April 2, 2023

I read in the newspaper that Mayor Cassie Franklin wants a huge baseball park in Everett. However, I think we should ask what type of city and community we want.

Our choices today can shape our future for the next century. Any thriving community needs some building blocks and building an $80 million ballpark will only be giving wealthy folk a cash handout at the cost for everyone in the community.

We need to protect the environment, build affordable housing, efficient transportation, and a community center, but please no overpriced ballpark. Has anyone noticed the start of the Everett Aquasox’s season in April often has horrible weather? I don’t know about you but I am not sitting through a three-hour game in the rain and wind. Almost all the choices our leaders have been taking lately are lacking any creativity, and put Everett and Snohomish County in a rut.

Why would we want Link light rail to head to Paine Field where there are mostly businesses and few houses and especially when most people are heading to Seattle for work? At least we should let people speak on where the Link light rail should head and put it up for a vote.

Finding a way to get as many people to ride public transit needs to be a goal if we want to protect our environment. Also, why build a huge baseball park when it would be empty for about six months with little or no business?

Gregory Wetzel

Everett