Lake Stevens to begin adding sidewalks this spring

LAKE STEVENS — When Schuyler Thorpe walks down 22nd Street NE, he often has to quickly swivel sideways to avoid being hit by cars.

The street has long stretches without sidewalks and narrow shoulders.

“We have to literally play chicken with traffic,” said Thorpe, 35, who walks from his home northwest of downtown Lake Stevens to the library to do research for his science fiction writing.

Thorpe and others could have their walking made easier soon. The city of Lake Stevens has $1 million to spend on new sidewalks, and 22nd Avenue NE is high on the priority list.

The city plans this spring to begin prep work to build walkways on four stretches of road near downtown. Whether it will have enough money to actually build all four projects this year, though, is doubtful — their total cost is about $1.5 million, $500,000 beyond the current budget.

Sidewalks weren’t built when many homes in the city were constructed. And many of the neighborhoods the city has recently annexed also didn’t have sidewalks.

Many who live in Lake Stevens have told city officials they’d like to see more sidewalks, city administrator Jan Berg said. When city voters decided last year to pay a direct tax for library service, freeing up $500,000 from the city budget, city officials targeted the money for sidewalks. The rest of the $1 million comes from $400,000 paid by builders and another $100,000 from the city general fund.

The city still hopes to get federal stimulus package money to pay for the four projects this year and others. If the city doesn’t receive the money, the City Council will decide which of the streets will get sidewalks first.

Overall, the city has identified 27 stretches of road that need a new walkway of some kind, with a total price tag of more than $5 million.

City officials have no idea when they’ll be able to meet all those needs. Right now, they’re just hoping to get enough money to build the first four projects.

When deciding to prioritize which sidewalk projects to begin, officials met with those from the Lake Stevens School District, the police and fire departments to determine the most pressing needs, Berg said.

“We came to consensus on this,” Lake Stevens School District spokeswoman Arlene Hulten said.

In 1997, Richie Wheaton, then 12, was critically injured when he collided with a bus while inline skating home from North Lake Middle School. He endured multiple surgeries but recovered, Hulten said.

There have been other near misses around the schools, she said.

North Lake Middle School is at the corner of 123rd and 22nd, and Mount Pilchuck Elementary is on 20th a little east of Grade Road. The schools were a major factor in picking the four projects to top the list, officials said. On 20th, the new walkways would create a better connection for pedestrians between downtown Lake Stevens and the Centennial Trail.

“We do need sidewalks, I feel, because of kids’ safety,” said Janice Carpenter, 63, who lives on 22nd.

She could add herself to the list of those who could stand to feel safer while walking on her street.

A couple of years ago, Carpenter took her baby granddaughter for stroller rides on the street. It was a bit more adventurous than she would have liked.

“You’re walking on rocks or grass, and you can’t push the stroller,” she said. “You felt like you were putting your life in jeopardy.”

John Whitlock, 38, who also lives on 22nd, agreed that sidewalks are needed.

“It’s pretty dangerous,” he said.

Resident Dave Johnson said he isn’t so sure.

“It seems unnecessary to me,” he said, “but sidewalks in general are a good thing.”

Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439, sheets@heraldnet.com.

Where the work would be done

Lake Stevens would like to add walkways, curbs, gutters and planting strips to the following roadways:

n 22nd between 117th and 123rd Streets NE, at an estimated cost of $615,800;

n 20th Avenue NE from Grade Road to N. Machias Road, $527,200;

n 123rd Avenue NE from 20th Street NE to 26th Street NE, $258,000;

n Grade Road from 20th to 22nd, $99,000.