I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year. As we move into 2021, we leave behind a difficult year. A year that has changed our community in many ways. It is my goal in this message to provide a recap of how the city moved forward in 2020 and try and paint a picture of what 2021 will bring us.
The City completed the construction of the community center known as The Mill. This building has become a focal point for downtown as it is centered in the updated North Cove Park. We were able to conduct a highly successful Farmers' Market season in North Cove Park which brought many people into our downtown corridor. Many of these visitors were new to the city and left charmed with our great little city. Additionally, with the updated park we saw a pleasant increase in the numbers of families using the water feature and beach. The second phase of the North Cove Park started and will include a deck overlooking the lake, a covered shelter, inclusive playground, and parking.
Public Works took on the task of remodeling Frontier Heights Park. This park received walking trails, a new playground, basketball courts, picnic tables, and a parking lot. Rehabbing this park provides a much-needed facelift that will serve the Frontier Heights neighborhood and our city.
Cavalero Skate Park opened as a resounding success. This park was a Snohomish County, Rotary Club, and City project. It includes a premier skate park, basketball court, playground, and parking. We will continue to look for opportunities to improve this park as it is a great location for additional recreational resources.
The city saw major street projects. S Lake Stevens Road project was finished featuring a walking trail which has been a big hit. 20th St SE was widened, and we are seeing the finishing up of the Business Access Lane down to the trestle. Work began on extending 91 St SE south across 20th St SE. This road will support the future Costco site.
Looking into 2021 we will see additional growth throughout the city. Costco is the big project for the year. We expect to see construction begin in the Spring with a projected opening time just before Thanksgiving. The city will support this project by extending 91st St SE south to a new street known as 24th St SE. 24th St SE will stem from a new roundabout built this summer at SR 9 and S Lake Stevens Road. Costco is an exciting addition to our city and will bring with it additional commercial growth along 20th St SE.
We will see the Washington Department of Transportation continue the SR 9/204 Project. Phase 2 will build a northbound lane from Market Street to 4th St NE. Phase 3 is slated to complete the project starting in 2022 and finishing in 2023.
We will begin Phase 1 of the Powerline Trail Park. This park will include a running, walking, biking trail from the ballfields on 20th St SE underneath the powerline north to Lundeen Parkway. Where possible we will add small parks and parking along this park. Phase 1 is in design to include the trail, dog park, and parking and will extend from 20th St SE to 8th St SE.
The construction of a festival street will compliment North Cove Park. This festival street will be known as Mill Spur and will be used for outdoor community events such as the Farmers' Market, Aquafest, and I would like to see ice-skating in the winter. This street further implements the vision as set by public input and city council for revitalizing downtown.
I wanted to keep this message short and stick to a few main highlights. There is so much going on in our community and so much hard work in making our city a safe and enjoyable place to call home. If you have the opportunity please take the time to thank our City employees, they do great work for us and are a joy to work with. Lastly, take the time to reach out to your neighbors and friend and strengthen our community through service and assistance.
Brett Gailey
For additional information on the projects mentioned above see the links below:
North Cove Park Plan Video
The Mill on Lake Stevens
Powerline Trail Park
Costco Development
WSDOT SR-9/204 Intersection Improvements