Mukilteo council approves plan to develop Lighthouse Park

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, February 17, 2004

MUKILTEO — Plans are in place to change a sea of asphalt into a waterfront promenade and large lawn perfect for community gatherings.

The City Council on Tuesday night approved a master plan for how to develop Mukilteo Lighthouse Park.

The city took over ownership of Mukilteo State Park last March and acquired the lighthouse property from the Coast Guard in 2001.

It renamed the joint properties Mukilteo Lighthouse Park and is planning to spend more than $5.6 million redeveloping the mostly asphalt park as money becomes available.

The plan envisions turning the 14.4 acres where the old state park and lighthouse are located into a combined park with a new pedestrian pier, restored beach land, large green lawn, pedestrian loop path system, volleyball courts, picnic tables and fire pits.

The plan includes moving much of the parking away from the waterfront and improving traffic and pedestrian access. But Monday night the council also approved more waterfront parking than it originally had planned.

"Parking along the beach is a year-around use. The more parking we can provide the better … The more parking we can provide along the beach the more use we can get out of the park," Council Member Bruce Richter said.

Also, the council said a parking garage is still a possibility. It would take the place of the existing pay-parking area along the highway and accommodate 150 cars.

The council also OK’d demolishing three small buildings and constructing a visitors center with restrooms.

The council also plans to acquire commercial property at the entrance to the park. And it approved moving the boat launch, but it needs the Port of Everett’s approval for that.

The plan integrates the park with other waterfront redevelopment such as the Port of Everett’s idea to turn the old fuel depot tank farm into a transit hub with a new ferry terminal, Sound Transit commuter rail station, a marina, boat launch, waterfront promenade and retail uses.

The redevelopment project will be in four phases, and be coordinated with the planned relocation of the ferry dock, commuter parking and boat launch.

The first phase includes building a cluster of picnic tables and a shelter, fire pits, a play area, volleyball court and restroom in the southwest portion of the park. It also includes beach restoration, construction of the pedestrian promenade and loop path system, two vehicle turn-arounds and several parking spaces. Cost: $1.9 million.

Phase two includes tearing down the three buildings by the lighthouse and building a visitor center with pathways and a vehicle turn-around. Cost: $513,000.

Phase three includes improvements to Front Street, building an entry staircase from Highway 525 and construction of parking areas. Cost: $1.1 million.

Phase four would complete the pedestrian pathway system, build a pedestrian pier where the boat launch is located, create a central lawn and festival area and add a restroom building near the lighthouse area. Cost: $2.1 million.

The process has been through five council meetings, five parks board meetings, three public presentations and seven public hearings since July of 2002, city manager Rich Leahy said.

Reporter Pam Brice: 425-339-3439 or pbrice@heraldnet.com.