Published 11/23/2007

UW planning team recommends Everett Station site

by Beckye Randall

In its formal recommendation to the governor and legislature released November 15, the UW study team listed the Everett Station site as the number one choice.

The acreage in Marysville/Smokey Point was ranked second on the list.

Citing advantages that include existing urban infrastructure and employment opportunities at the Everett site, the report also mentioned the need to purchase additional land for future expansion or to accommodate athletic fields as a drawback.

The Marysville/Smokey Point site, at approximately 350 acres, was said to have “significant strength in its ability to accommodate long-term growth.” Disadvantages to the north county site were said to include the need for “considerable investments” to prepare the land for development. The report alleged the property’s high groundwater would require a three- to five-foot rise in elevation to provide stability for building foundations.

Mary Swenson, Marysville’s chief administrative officer and the city’s liaison for the UW project, said she was “surprised” by the findings.

“The groundwater is not an issue,” said Swenson. “The city has already spent millions of dollars preparing the site for development, and storm detention facilities are in place to handle the property’s needs.”

A review of the technical data was available to city leaders a week before the report was published, and the groundwater issue was addressed in a letter back to the consultants. The city’s response was not included in the final report.

The other two locations under consideration, on the Everett riverfront and in Lake Stevens, were relegated to position number 3 and 4, respectively. The riverfront site would involve the highest development costs and its location in the floodplain coupled with the soil’s instability indicate severe engineering challenges.

Because the Lake Stevens site was reduced in size by the recent pullout of one of the landowners, the acreage has significant environmental and access problems. Easements and potential wetland areas would limit the developable area to less than 40 acres, making long-term growth difficult.

Seattle consulting firm NBBJ was awarded a $1 million contract to study the proposed sites with input from university leaders and government representatives. Student population demographics, probable curriculum and business community support figured into the selection criteria.

Although the panel’s findings will be carefully considered by the legislature, the final decision rests with lawmakers and the governor. Hearings will be held in 2008 to discuss the report and gather additional information.

“We will be working to communicate accurate information to the legislature,” assured Swenson.

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