MONROE – It’s not yet clear what the new development north of U.S. 2 will look like, but there will be enough power to sustain it.
In October, city officials raised concerns that there might not be enough electricity available to keep up with growth in the North Kelsey development off U.S. 2 east of the Evergreen State Fairgrounds. The city considers the North Kelsey development one of its most important economic projects to boost sales tax revenues.
After the concerns were raised, city officials, prospective developers and Snohomish County PUD officials met to discuss how to expand power service in the area.
“We did need to get together and discuss this because there’s a lot of changes that take place,” said Garth Williams, PUD senior manager of energy services.
After the meetings, the PUD decided to install new lines in the city-owned part of the development. The PUD also agreed to expand the size of existing lines on property owned by one of the prospective developers, Williams said.
That will guarantee enough electricity for the currently proposed development, Williams said.
Meanwhile, officials are hammering out the total cost of the project and how much of the tab the city would pick up, Williams said.
The city of Monroe owns about 37 acres of the approximately 60-acre development. It has finished planning the development, and businesses are expected to start arriving in 2005.
Some of the plans being discussed include building new restaurants and a child care center.
“Before we start taking proposals, we have to be sure we have power,” Mayor Donnetta Walser said.
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
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