City projects, priorities for 2022

This week I was honored to present my annual State of the City address that highlighted your city’s accomplishments in 2021 and what’s ahead in 2022. While we certainly are experiencing many challenges including impacts of the ongoing pandemic along with worker shortage, cost inflation and supply chain issues, Marysville continues to fare very well in comparison to many other cities both locally and nationally.

I’m proud that we are now beginning to put in motion projects that have been planned for many years. In a city growing as fast as Marysville is, it’s imperative that we have solid infrastructure. That’s why traffic improvement projects are high on the city’s priority list.

The work to widen State Avenue north of Fred Meyer between 100th and 104th Streets NE is nearly complete. Improvements include building a new bridge over Quilceda Creek to accommodate five traffic lanes, signal upgrades, roadway lighting and new sidewalks. The section under the bridge will be completed this summer, helping the environment by treating roadway runoff, restoring wildlife habitat and opening up the fish stream corridor.

This fall we plan to go out to bid on the final segment of the State Avenue widening project, between 104th and 116th Streets NE. When construction is finished in late 2023, all of State Avenue/Smokey Point Boulevard – our city’s main north-south arterial – will have five traffic lanes.

Although it’s not a city project, we are closely tracking the status of the new Interstate 5 and SR 529 freeway interchange and northbound HOV lane extension from Everett to Marysville. This WSDOT project was fully funded in the Connection Washington state transportation package and was slated to begin construction this year. Unfortunately, initial bids last fall came in higher than the budgeted amount, not surprising given our current economic situation. While WSDOT is reviewing the project for potential cost savings, we are asking our state legislators in Olympia to fund the needed amount to complete the project. It is a top Legislative priority of ours and the project is sorely needed.

After more than 30 years of working with the City of Arlington and regional partners to establish the Cascade Industrial Center, we’re seeing that vision come to life as new industrial manufacturing businesses are choosing to locate in Marysville. We anticipate that the CIC will bring 20,000 new family-wage jobs to our area in the next 10 years. This will offer Marysville residents the option to work close to home, reducing commutes and spending more time in our community.

The City Council’s adoption of an updated Downtown Master Plan in September 2021 expanded the downtown boundary, increased housing options, and supports the city[‘s long-term vision for downtown and waterfront redevelopment.

A centerpiece of the city’s downtown vision is the new Civic Center currently under construction that will house the city’s public-facing customer service functions in one convenient location. The Police, Jail and Court will move into the Public Safety side to the north this spring. City Hall offices and permit functions will follow, with full public opening at the end of summer. A remodel of Comeford Park will include new public plaza space and amphitheater, new restrooms and pathways with improved lighting. The Spray Park will remain in place. After the Court moves into the new Civic Center, the Court building will become the new Community Center by year’s end. We look forward to opening this larger location to better serve youth, adult and senior programming needs.

In my State of the City presentation, I cover much more information including 2021 accomplishments and details about public safety, parks and recreation, and community partnerships. If you’d like to see the presentation in person, please join me at the Marysville Tulalip Chamber ‘Business Before Hours’ on Friday, Feb. 25; register at https://business.marysvilletulalipchamber.com/events. A video recording will be posted on the city website at www.marysvillewa.gov and the city’s public access cable TV channels, Comcast channel 21 and Ziply channel 25. 

Marysville is a dynamic, improving community with a lot of opportunities ahead. I’m honored to serve you and excited for our future.

Jon Nehring has been Mayor of Marysville since 2010. You can reach him at 360-363-8000 or [email protected].