LAKE STEVENS – Move over, Everett.
Step aside, Stanwood.
Make room for Lake Stevens and Snohomish in the competition for the University of Washington branch campus.
Mayors of the two cities want to plant the flag of the Purple and Gold between their borders on land served by highways 2 and 9.
“We think we have an interesting location that needs to be looked at,” said Snohomish Mayor Randy Hamlin.
“We think it’s the right thing to do,” said Lake Stevens Mayor Vern Little.
Led by Little, the duo has formed the Snohomish County Coalition for Higher Education to pursue locating the college east of I-5. They enlisted as members the cities of Monroe and Granite Falls and the Greater Lake Stevens and Snohomish chambers of commerce.
This group is drafting a proposal on the merits of setting the branch campus somewhere on a swath of 1,100 mostly privately owned acres. Little said it is large enough for future growth, reachable from all directions and accessible to needed utilities.
Within the layout of land is a couple hundred acres at the intersection of highways 2 and 9 where a commercial development is proposed. Little said its developers are attending coalition meetings.
“We need a college, and the sooner the better,” said Granite Falls Mayor Lyle Romack. “I will support anywhere it goes. I view it from the standpoint that I’d like to have it nearer my community.”
This year, the state Legislature approved a UW branch campus to serve Snohomish, Island and Skagit counties. They budgeted $1 million for a consultant to analyze options and recommend a site for a permanent college. That recommendation is due Nov. 15.
Everett is openly campaigning to bring the college to the city, possibly near the Snohomish River. It’s had paid lobbyists assisting the city for several months on this pursuit.
Stanwood is pushing development on land off Pioneer Highway and 300th Street. In April, its mayor, Dianne White, called the competition a “friendly little war.”
The coalition brings in a new force.
“I know it seems we’re kind of a little late in the game, but based on the merits of the proposal, we at least stand a chance to be part of the conversation,” said Colleen Hill, president of the Snohomish Chamber of Commerce.
Everett has a pretty good proposal, but not the land or ability to expand like the coalition’s site, Little said.
Another benefit is a campus east of I-5 will keep students living along the corridor and areas east from having to travel across the busy U.S. 2 trestle to reach Everett. For those coming from the west, it would be an easy reverse commute.
“We’ll support the University of Washington wherever they choose,” Little said. “We just think the best thing is to have the college out here.”
Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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