“Purpose”: Lynnwood mayor delivers State of the City address

LYNNWOOD — About 200 people gathered at the Lynnwood Event Center on Wednesday morning for the city’s annual State of the City event.

After perusing resource tables from city departments and community organizations, attendees listened to Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell’s speech. She went through the city’s highlights from the past year and its main goals for next year.

Each year, the mayor chooses a word that encapsulates the city’s goals for the following year. This year, Frizzell chose “purpose.”

“Without purpose, without intention, we are aimless,” she said. “When a city lacks purpose, the entire community suffers.”

Lynnwood City Council President Nick Coelho gave opening remarks. He spoke about some of the council’s current projects, including developing a creative district, creating a Youth Advisory Council, looking for legislative solutions for residents at risk of displacement and creating efficiency studies.

“Lynnwood’s bubbling energy is being reflected in its current city council,” he said. “This group of electeds recognize that improving the town we love is a team effort, and this council is active with an ‘Avengers-style’ capital A. This year alone, each of us is working on meaningful projects that serve to grow our city’s pride.”

One of the city’s biggest accomplishments in 2024 was the opening of the Lynnwood City Center Station in August and the celebration that drew more than 30,000 people to the city, Frizzell said.

“Since then, tens of thousands of riders have taken the light rail to commute to work, attend a class at UW or Edmonds College, shop at Pike Place Market or our wonderful Alderwood Mall, cheer on their favorite team at a game or band at a concert, catch a flight, visit family and oh so many other trips,” Frizzell said. “The possibilities still feel endless.”

The new light rail station is a key part of Lynnwood’s city center expansion, Frizzell said, in addition to the rebuilding of 36th Avenue, redevelopment of 196th Street, park and trail improvements around Scriber Lake, and new multifamily housing.

In November 2024, the city adopted its 2025-26 biennial budget, which accounted for increases such as inflation, hiring additional employees to address public safety concerns and increased fees for services. Last month, the city passed its comprehensive plan, mapping out development through 2044.

Another major project in the past year was the construction of the Community Justice Center and its neighboring Crisis Care Center. A new police department and misdemeanor jail opened last fall, and an expanded municipal court is nearly complete, Frizzell said.

The Crisis Care Center is physically ready for use. However, after a provider pulled out late last year due to statewide funding challenges, the building remains vacant.

“Hope is on the horizon, though, and we have some of our region’s most dedicated and knowledgeable individuals working to find solutions,” Frizzell said.

State Rep. Lauren Davis, D-Shoreline, has been advocating for state legislation to address crisis care funding throughout Washington, Frizzell said.

Looking forward to 2025 and beyond, the city is helping with further light rail expansion to Alderwood Mall and Everett. The project won’t be complete for another 15 to 20 years, she said.

Frizzell also emphasized a focus on public safety. In the past eight months, three teenagers died from gun violence in Lynnwood.

Mary Anne Dillon, vice president of programs for YWCA Snohomish, spoke about a shooting that occurred on New Year’s Eve near a YWCA-owned apartment complex.

“The heartbreaking incident brought our working relationship with the community we serve closer together,” Dillon said. “This shooting outside our apartment complex shook not only our YWCA community but the entire city.”

Also in attendance was Olympia Edwards, CEO of Project Girl Mentoring Program in Lynnwood. In her speech, she encouraged attendees to get involved in the Lynnwood community.

“When we empower young women and young people, we don’t just give them a chance to change their lives, we give them a chance to change Lynnwood for the better, to change Snohomish County for the better, ” Edwards said. “And when we do that, we encourage the world.”

In October 2024, the city hired a lobbying firm to help advocate for legislation in Olympia and Washington D.C. Since President Donald Trump took office, “the government landscape at all levels is shifting,” Frizzell said.

“Whenever there is a change in leadership, there is likely going to be uncertainty about the future,” she said. “I can reassure you that Lynnwood is going to continue to do what we’ve always done during calm times and stormy times — serve our community.”

In 2025, the city plans to host a number of community engagement events. Last month, the city launched a Small Business Development Program to help connect local small businesses owners with resources. The program will host a Small Business Workshop at 4 p.m. March 10 at the Lynnwood Library.

Some planned events for the summer include Celebrate!, Shakespeare in the Park, Paws in the Park, Sandlot Cinemas, and Fair on 44th. The city also plans to host a community open house at Lynnwood City Hall in early May.

Beginning in March, Lynnwood will publicize its participation in the National Community Survey for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. The city will be able to compare this year’s data to pre-pandemic data, as well as cities throughout the country. The data should be ready in the summer, Frizzell said.

“Purposeful moments between the City and our community members are only successful if we engage with one another and create a dialogue about how we can support each other,” Frizzell said. “This year, we will be purposefully listening in a new way. We want to know how you feel we are doing as a community.”

Jenna Peterson: 425-339-3486; jenna.peterson@heraldnet.com; X: @jennarpetersonn.