Edmonds Crossing

Ferry crossing will ruin park

Edmonds may soon have a freeway park. Its unique feature will be a park that’s under the freeway rather than over it. It will be created by the Edmonds Crossing 7/8 lane ferry access road which will pass over the north end of Marina Beach Park.

The 89 foot wide road will span an area from the middle of the small bridge linking the port with Marina Park to the south boundary of the parking area. Since it must clear the railroad tracks and slope down to the ferry, the freeway’s height over the park will vary. As it crosses the Marina Beach parking lot, it will be 29 feet high at the east end and 19 feet at the east end and 14 feet at the west. Duck down if you cross the bridge linking the Marina and the Park as you’ll only be 10-12 feet below the freeway. North of the freeway colossus will be a parallel 25 foot wide overhead loading shed (OHL) stretching 1300 feet from the passenger terminal to the ferry.

Vehicles waiting to access the ferry will be stored above your head. The consultant reassures us that there will be “short-term periods of high emissions and elevated concentrations of carbon monoxide.”

Visitor use of Marina Beach Park is greatest during the summer months. That is the same time that ferry traffic will peak because the Edmonds/Kingston run is, primarily, one of recreational users, not commuters. There are approximately 28 ferry arrivals and departures per day.

As you stroll Marina Beach Park this summer, imagine the impact that the Edmonds Crossing freeway and OHL will have on the park’s appearance, its air and its serenity. The above boring numbers are meant to help your imagination.

There is, unfortunately, only one way to stop the freeway construction and that’s to vote no to the November transportation funding request.

Natalie Shippen

Edmonds

Election ‘07

Older residents need voice on council

Sick of all the killing and bloodshed, soldiers and sailors returned home to raise families after WWII. These valiant men and women created the baby boom generation who have had a profound impact on our population as they’ve aged. In 2011 the first baby boomers will turn 65.

Not only are there more baby boomers but they live much longer too. As a result the city of Edmonds is graying. What is our City Council doing to anticipate the needs of our growing older population?

As we age we walk more and drive less and many of us would much rather travel than mow the yard. Our children no longer live with us and many of us feel isolated in a big house. The traffic in the neighborhoods where we raised our children is more dangerous and the woods where our children played are cut down for larger houses on smaller lots.

Many older, healthy adults desire an affordable condo or apartment along a bus route that is close to products and services. They like to stroll and mingle with friends. They ride the bus to shop; or walk along the waterfront; or catch an event at the Edmonds Center for the Arts; or attend a class at the Francis Anderson; or borrow a book from the library. Many older adults are healthy and independent, free to ride express buses to Seattle or the mall without the expense and hassle of driving a car and finding parking.

We need to elect City Council members who will enact policies that meet our needs as we age. There are not nearly enough affordable condominiums or apartments above shops and offices that are close to transportation in Edmonds. The downtown building heights debate is over. There are far more important issues to consider.

Don Kreiman

Edmonds

Couple proud to support Strom Peterson

Strom Peterson and his wife, Maria, are close friends of ours. We have had the pleasure of working with them on various committees. We all are supporters and contributors to many Edmonds organizations and clubs for the betterment of our community. My wife, Michelle Clyborne, and I felt it was pertinent to share that we are disappointed by Orvis’ reactionary stance regarding our contribution to Peterson’s campaign.

Yes, we are the other contributors and we are not upset that Orvis has “pointed us out.” We proudly support Strom Peterson and will continue to do so. Mr.Orvis has assumed that we are part of the “taller building crowd.” We do own our Edmonds home but no commercial property in Edmonds. Therefore, I do not know how we could directly benefit as per Orvis’ accusation. Your “smoke screening ” is a waste time and energy that simply allows you to hide behind old issues and evade the real issues facing Edmonds. Building heights will always be a hot topic but the council has decided on heights.

Edmonds we deserve better! We need to focus on the near and long term economic development that will benefit our community and all future generations. Strom Peterson embraces the wisdom of longtime residents. He is aware of the needs of our youth and he is committed to maintaining and preserving the charm of Edmonds.

Strom Peterson understands Edmonds is facing long-term financial challenges and as a local business owner, he understands the need for long-range planning to overcome these challenges. Strom also supports police, EMTs, firefighters and public safety. Have you noticed the increase in crime and vandalism in our town? We are a small city facing big city problems. Bottom-line, Strom Peterson gets it. And he is committed to improve our town for the benefit of all.

I invite all Edmonds residents to give Strom Peterson full consideration. Learn the truth. Begin here at www.VoteStrom.com

Michelle &Ron Clyborne

Edmonds