MARYSVILLE — With the State Avenue improvement project ahead of schedule and a NASCAR track possibly coming to town, city officials are encouraged that Marysville is off to a good start for 2004.
Earlier this year, the mayor and City Council members conducted a two-day retreat so city workers could get better acquainted and officials could map out what should be accomplished this year. With a new mayor and two new council members, there’s plenty of things on which to get up to speed. The city has a long list of significant projects in the works, from transportation and public works, to parks and recreation, to master plans that need overhauling.
A major consideration is how many of the city’s future projects will be funded, since the city’s money is tight and only economic development is likely to shore up the city budget in the future.
"The council wanted to make sure that we work on the creation of partnerships — that was one of the main things that they wanted me to do," Mayor Dennis Kendall said.
That means partnering with the state, county and federal governments, nearby cities, the Tulalip Tribes and other agencies to make sure Marysville gets a fair share of money needed to keep moving forward, Kendall said. Already the city works with Everett on water and sewer projects, with Arlington and Lake Stevens on things such as Municipal Court and fire services. Officials also are talking to Arlington about possibly sharing a police facility in the north end.
"I look at myself as the (city’s) chief executive officer and they’re my board of directors," Kendall said. "They’re willing to take a risk to fund an investment in the city’s future."
As an example, he cited a series of four detention ponds the city plans to build in the north end to alleviate flooding problems and make it easier for new businesses to locate there. The first pond will be paid for through grants and matching funds and is scheduled for completion by the end of July, he said. City officials are asking the state’s Congressional members for money in 2005 to pay for the other three ponds, he said.
The city is courting two large businesses that may open stores in the north end, Kendall said.
Major projects already under way include the State Avenue improvement project to widen and beautify the main downtown thoroughfare, construction of a water treatment plant in Arlington, the upgrade of the city’s sewage treatment plant and construction of an pipeline to hook up with Everett’s sewage treatment system. In addition, the city is continuing with improvements to the Strawberry Fields athletic complex and preparing to begin construction of the Ebey Slough Waterfront Park, among other projects.
"It’s a very busy time for us," said Mary Swenson, the city’s chief administrative officer.
In addition to pursuing more and expanded partnerships, Kendall’s goals for this year are to see State Avenue and the waterfront park completed, create new economic development and help existing businesses to grow.
"I think transportation is going to be the biggest issue," he said.
If the International Speedway Corp. selects Marysville as the site for a Northwest National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing racetrack, major changes would be needed, such as widening State Avenue to five lanes all the way to Smokey Point, completely rebuilding the 172nd Street NE’s I-5 overpass, and completing another east-west connection between the freeway and Highway 9, Kendall said. That’s going to require cooperation and shared funding between multiple agencies, he said.
Jeff Vaughan, who is new to the council this year, also wants to see State Avenue and the waterfront park completed, to work on economic development and enhance the city’s relationship with the Tulalip Tribes.
He would also like to improve traffic flow through town.
"I’d like to see the kinds of businesses that would provide family-wage job opportunities. I’d like to see some retail outlets here that would enable residents not to have to drive to Lynnwood or Everett and be able to do more shopping locally," Vaughan said.
"I’d like to see a lot more attention paid to improving our traffic infrastructure," he said. "Our council has done a good job of focusing attention on traffic and our streets, but there’s a lot more to do."
Veteran council member Donna Wright said the retreat showed that all the council members are headed in the same direction.
"We want to see the quality of life in Marysville stay (as it is). We want to keep growing, but we want to have the economic growth, but retain Marysville character. But we’ve got to find a way to pay for it," she said.
The governmental partnerships are "a good way for government to go, and we need the help," Wright said.
Council member Jeff Seibert agrees.
"Just so many things work better when we work collectively, and we aren’t just staking out our piece of everything," he said. "We’re getting a lot better relationship with the Tulalip Tribes, and I’d like to see that continue."
The Tulalips have plans to add 100 to 120 stores in an upscale outlet mall north of the new Tulalip Casino along I-5, and have future plans for a hotel and other businesses in the area, which also could benefit the city.
"We can benefit each other so much," Seibert said. That’s true with all the communities in the area. It just takes someone taking that first step."
He also wants to see the Lakewood area, which is in the city’s urban growth area, annexed to the city.
"I’d really like to see a NASCAR track here. I don’t see anything that’s insurmountable," Seibert said.
Reporter Cathy Logg: 425-339-3437 or logg@heraldnet.com.
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