Thanks to Snohomish Mayor Linda Redmon and the City Council for their acceptance of a citizens’ committee planning product which details design guidance for the vacant parcel on Avenue D. Once developed, this Snohomish project will provide additional housing and retail space in a district now dominated by aging strip malls, banks, gas stations and fast food providers.
Some bemoan the change this development will bring to Snohomish. Let’s talk about that.
When I was looking for a home in 1984, Snohomish’s population was 5,500. Snohomish was larger than Monroe, Lake Stevens or Marysville.
Snohomish homes were generally small, older, but cute and very affordable. The five historic churches were a plus. I was pleased the fire department was a half block away. I bought, I moved, I discovered the cows in the valley mooed early, the sawmill worked late, the (volunteer) fire department siren sounded at all hours, church bells rang loudly and predictably.
Nearly 40 years later, the cows and sawmill are gone, the SFD moved, church bells are silent. Snohomish is now 10,000 residents. Two-bedroom, one-bath fixer homes sell for $500,000. But I can still walk the circumference of the core city. Residents still smile and chat.
By contrast, look at Monroe (population 21,000), Lake Stevens (37,000), and Marysville (72,000). Snohomish’s growth has been modest and well managed, but over decades the stock of affordable homes has evaporated, and business opportunities have tightened. The proposed development will provide much needed opportunities for new neighbors. Let’s welcome that change.
Jan Lengenfelder
Snohomish
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