LYNNWOOD
With multistory buildings and a steady series of annexations, Lynnwood seems to be growing in every way possible — taller, wider and bigger.
Now, it is trying to grow wiser.
People celebrated the city’s 50th anniversary this weekend at Alderwood mall. Hundreds have spent the better part of two years creating a vision they hope will help define the city’s next half-century.
The plan calls for Lynnwood to become “a regional model for a sustainable, vibrant community.”
That’s a vague goal, officials acknowledged.
Still, “It provides goals and objectives for the major players in the city: the business community, the voters and the decision makers,” said Bob Larsen, a volunteer who helped lead the effort.
More than 400 people contributed roughly 4,000 ideas. More than 29 public meetings were conducted. Mayor Don Gough and some city staffers attended them all.
The city spent $15,000 on the effort, keeping costs down by handling all but two of the public meetings.
A glossy, 31-page magazine was published by the city last week to highlight the results, including a number of goals.
Those include reducing traffic congestion, creating a new community event and using parks and the arts to attract economic growth.
It is clear from the magazine that the group wants Lynnwood to become more environmentally friendly.
Defining exactly what that is will be important, Larsen said.
“I’m worried ‘green’ is getting abused. I’m worried it is getting black and blue,” he said. “It needs to be meaningful, and we need to take that on. We need to say what it means to us, and what is achievable.”
More detail could be outlined in the months ahead, as the volunteers continue to meet.
That’s something Gough looks forward to, he said.
“We are going to ask the citizens what they mean about these things,” Gough said. “Then we will link and align the vision to what the city is doing.”
Chris Fyall writes for the Herald of Everett.
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