Hitting the books, protecting the land
TWO works in progress in Snohomish County highlight the opportunities and consequences of the regional growth Puget Sound will experience over the next 20 years.
The long-desired goal of a four-year college moved ahead as consultants endorsed a 32-acre site in downtown Everett for a new University of Washington branch campus. Everett Station is a community transportation hub and close to urban amenities for future students. The site is also in physical and spiritual proximity to interim classroom space. The new school would also be nearby the employers a university with a science-and-engineering emphasis would want to engage as partners. That point is likely to be repeated often as the site is promoted to the Legislature and Gov. Christine Gregoire.
Three other finalists remain in the running: Smokey Point in Marysville; Everett’s Riverside site; and Lake Stevens, east of the Highway 2 trestle. Nothing is decided, and key political and financial elements are in flux and unresolved.
Downtown Everett got the early nod, but all the sites are in play. All parties must proceed with the end in mind: a shared goal of securing a four-year college for Snohomish County and its neighbors.
Long-term prospects for employment, competitive housing prices and educational opportunities will only make an attractive place to live, work and play more appealing - and more challenging to protect and balance the needs of growth, agriculture and recreation. A population bubble equal to another Portland metropolitan area is expected to take up residence in Puget Sound by the year 2030.
A keynote speaker’s forecast brought into sharp focus the accomplishments of those honored by the Cascade Land Conservancy with its Snohomish County conservation awards. The Phil and Laura Zalesky Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to two honorees: forester Duane Weston and farmer and farmland advocate Cliff Bailey.
The Cascade Agenda Leadership Award was given to Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Lake Stevens, for his work in creation of the proposed Wild Sky Wilderness Area. His legislation passed the House of Representatives and awaits action in the Senate.
A new campus and the obligations of living responsibly with the land: two themes, two visions proceeding together.