Published 11/23/2007

Redevelopment planned for downtown Marysville waterfront

by Beckye Randall

Marysville’s future streetscape may incorporate a more park-like, pedestrian-friendly setting, blending high-rise housing with new retail and office business in the downtown waterfront area.

With the help of a grant from the state’s Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED), the Marysville City Council has authorized the hiring of an urban design consultant to guide downtown and waterfront redevelopment planning.

The $200,000 planning project will be guided by Makers, Inc., a Seattle firm that led Marysville’s 2005 downtown visioning plan process, with assistance from SvR Engineers, Transpo and Nakano Associates.

“We will be redrawing the way our downtown cityscape and waterfront will look for generations to come,” Mayor Dennis Kendall said. “Part of making our community’s vision a reality is to ensure that we have looked at all environmental and infrastructure aspects in the downtown core as it redevelops.”

The consultants’ services include urban design, land use planning, landscape architecture, transportation and parking, storm water and general infrastructure to support future public and private investment, said Gloria Hirashima, Community Development Director.

The downtown area generally refers to Ebey Slough north to Eighth Street, bounded by Interstate 5 to the west and extending eastward to Alder Avenue.

Kendall says the downtown master plan process will be transparent, with plenty of public involvement anticipated.

In 2005, the city opened Ebey Waterfront Park at First and State Avenue, which could also serve as the starting point for a future trail into the Snohomish River Estuary system. The closure of two mills within the downtown corridor, including the 11-acre Interfor mill property purchased by the City in 2006, will speed the transition of downtown business from industrial to commercial and mixed-use businesses. 

Additionally, the city rezoned downtown to encourage more mixed uses, greater density and taller buildings, and developed design standards and guidelines to develop a unified look, or “theme” for downtown sub-area.

Chief Administrative Officer Mary Swenson credits the work of the city’s economic development committees for their contributions to downtown revitalization efforts. “We would not be where we are today in redevelopment plans without their insights.”

In addition to the $200,000 approved by Council, the city was recently awarded a $75,000 state planning grant to help develop the master plan to support downtown waterfront redevelopment. The Competitive Growth Management Act Planning Grant is provided through the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) and created to help local governments prepare action plans and provide environmental review of projects.

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