EVERETT – The city already has set the ambitious goal of attracting 49,000 jobs and 27,000 residents in the next 21 years.
Now, city officials and members of the new mayoral “Vision Team” are discussing how to make that target a reality.
City planning officials have been meeting with neighborhood and civic groups to discuss growth and hear suggestions. Mayor Ray Stephanson’s Vision Team, made up of more than two dozen residents, began meeting May 5.
The committee is expected to make recommendations to the planning commission by October. The vision team will go beyond growth and develop a broad vision for Everett that might include, for example, proposals for new arts programs and ways to improve health care, said Reid Shockey, chairman of the Vision Team and former city planning director.
“Probably more now than in the 34 years I’ve lived here in this community, Everett is doing some very exciting things,” Shockey said. “With all the positive changes going on, this is a time to look at where this community will be and what amenities it is going to have, and get this down on paper and come up with an action plan.”
“We really want to walk away with some specific recommendations rather than come up with generalized things that are just nice and fuzzy,” said former Mayor Pete Kinch, the vice chairman of the committee.
In March 2003, the City Council unanimously approved general growth goals. It is not scheduled to vote on a more detailed plan until July 2005.
That vote could include recommendations on changes in city law that would promote growth, said Dave Koeing, manager of long-range planning and community development. For example, recommendations in the 1994 growth plan led to tax credits for downtown multifamily housing and various zoning changes.
The city sees the biggest potential for population growth in new multifamily housing downtown and along the waterfront, Koeing said. The City Council recently amended its 1994 plan to allow housing along the waterfront.
Much of the potential commercial land is located along the Snohomish River and in southwest Everett.
Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@heraldnet.com
Job growth
In March 2003, the Everett City Council adopted targets for job and population growth over the next 21 years. The council is scheduled to vote on a final comprehensive plan in July 2005.
Under the plan, the city’s population would increase 28 percent by 2025, from about 96,000 to more than 123,000.
The number of jobs would rise from about 81,000 to more than 130,000, or more than 60 percent.
As city officials continue to discuss growth, Mayor Ray Stephanson’s new “Vision Team” is meeting to develop a long-term vision for Everett. The public is invited to all their meetings, held 5:30-7 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at various locations around Everett. The next meeting, on May 25, will be in the eighth-floor hearing room of the Wall Street Building, 2930 Wetmore Ave.
dolson@heraldnet.com
Job growth
In March 2003, the Everett City Council adopted targets for job and population growth over the next 21 years. The council is scheduled to vote on a final comprehensive plan in July 2005.
Under the plan, the city’s population would increase 28 percent by 2025, from about 96,000 to more than 123,000.
The number of jobs would rise from about 81,000 to more than 130,000, or more than 60 percent.
As city officials continue to discuss growth, Mayor Ray Stephanson’s new “Vision Team” is meeting to develop a long-term vision for Everett. The public is invited to all their meetings, held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at various locations around Everett. The next meeting, on May 25, will be in the eighth floor hearing room of the Wall Street Building, 2930 Wetmore Ave.
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