10/12/2007

North county residents rally for UW North campus

The best location for the new University of Washington campus, out of four local choices, has not yet been identified. But many citizens of Snohomish County have certainly decided which of the four sites being considered is best.

A Town Hall forum at the Everett Events Center October 3 gave many residents, elected officials and business leaders an opportunity to share their opinions with members of the UW planning team.

The event attracted more than 300 people, many of whom sported signs, T-shirts and purple and gold pom-poms in support of their favored location.

Jennifer Shaw, executive director of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, was stationed on the sidewalk outside the event center, handing out signs and T-shirts to supporters of the Tri-County Coalition’s push for the Marysville site. At almost 350 acres, the Marysville location is the largest of the four properties under consideration by the NBBJ, an independent consulting firm hired to present the final recommendation to the legislature by November 15. It is made up of three separate but contiguous parcels of land, all of which are available for sale to the state.

SOURCE: NBBJ This map by NBBJ Consultants shows the location and relative size of each of the four sites being considered for the UW branch campus in Snohomish County

Marty Brown, the governor’s legislative director and a member of the presenting panel, said of the site selection process, “This is a big deal, but it’s not a done deal.” In response to questions about planning for future needs, he assured the crowd that the planning team is calling on demographers, forecasters, “everything but Tarot cards” to predict what the college will need to look like in 20, 30 or 50 years.

In a moment of candor, Brown cautioned the enthusiastic supporters in the audience to come together for the good of all the communities. He cited the example of a WSU branch campus in the Tri-Cities area that took three years longer than planned to establish due to regional bickering. “We need unanimity in the area. If we’re divided, we’re going to have a problem.”

In an extensive prepared address, Everett mayor Ray Stephanson touted the two Everett sites, listing the city’s superiority in fire and police safety, entertainment options, housing availability and proximity to businesses that would partner with the university.

Dennis Kendall, Marysville mayor, followed with a brief argument in favor of the Marysville site, claiming the city offers “everything that Everett has” with less traffic congestion and an administration that is anxious to work with the college to attract appropriate businesses to the area.

Arlington schools superintendent Linda Byrnes also spoke in favor of the Marysville site, part of which officially extends into Arlington’s city limits. Size is the key, she said, adding that middle school campuses are expected to cover at least 25 acres, and most high schools sit on 50 acres or more.

The Everett Station site is approximately 31 acres, adjacent to an area of mostly industrial use. The Everett riverfront site is approx. 47 acres, and the Lake Stevens/ Snohomish location is about 97.5 acres.

The Everett Town Hall meeting was the fourth in a series of at least six public forums planned by the state and UW officials. A meeting has been scheduled for October 29 at Cavalero Mid High School, 8220-24th St. SE in Lake Stevens, with another one planned for October 30 at Marysville-Pilchuck High School.

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