County Council’s vote disappointing

I was very disappointed to see the Snohomish County Council endorse the sub-par site at Everett Station for the four-year University of Washington campus. I had the opportunity to tour this area first-hand while riding the Sounder train to the Seahawks game a few weeks ago and what an embarrassment: graffiti, vagrants, garbage and overall disrepair. What a welcoming site for future students. I sure hope my nephews follow in my footsteps and heads north to Western instead.

As president of the Greater Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce, I was personally an early proponent of the site in Lake Stevens. As the Lake Stevens site got smaller due to a variety of factors, it became clear that the site located in Marysville was best suited to handle the university. The Marysville site is large enough for future expansion as well as development of student housing and vital services. The site is also relatively close to transit options, and frankly, the physical surroundings are free of the negative aspects mentioned above. We need to be honest with ourselves regarding parking and traffic. Have you tried to park at the Everett transit center? Almost impossible. Have you driven through the same, almost unnavigable, Everett traffic mess that I have for the last 20 years?

I fully support the Marysville site and thank Councilman John Koster for making the right decision to stay out of the legislative fray. The Marysville location is best suited to serve Skagit, Whatcom, Island and Snohomish counties. That is what we’re aiming for, right?

Blair Anderson

Tucson, Ariz.