News from Snohomish County Council

Snohomish County joined with representatives of the building and real estate industry to hold an economic summit last Friday. About 200 builders, developers, legislators and industry analysts attended.

One of the key factors in the economic downturn facing Snohomish County residents is the decline in the building industry. The summit was an opportunity to discuss ways to revive the economy and increase jobs.

"This is an important first step," said County Councilmember Dave Gossett. "Unemployment in Snohomish County increased 1.5% last month to 8.5%. We have to find solutions that help get people back to work."

Panelists identified a number of ideas to help the industry to recover. Amongst those mentioned were:

� Quicker time frames to reduce carrying costs

� Down payment assistance for prospective home buyers who have excellent credit and enough income

� Allowing additional time extensions for already approved residential subdivisions

� Use of federal TARP dollars to reduce the number of foreclosed homes on the market

� Reducing unnecessary regulation

� Changing bonding requirements to reduce costs

"Today's meeting is only a first step," stressed Gossett. "Many of the ideas mentioned today would cost the taxpayer nothing while still fully protecting the environment. We need to quickly review these ideas and move forward with the ones that make sense."

The county has already started moving forward on a number of proposals including the time extension for already approved subdivisions and possible changes to the bonding requirements.

"Solving our economic problems will require an even broader focus," noted Gossett. "We need to reach out to local chambers, businesses, labor, and average citizens for ways to help all parts of our economy. And the aerospace industry is absolutely central."

Governor Gregoire has announced that her office will head up an effort to identify ways to ensure that the aerospace industry stays strong and competitive. Gossett indicated he has contacted the office.

"Early this decade when Boeing made the decision to base the 787 in Everett the county worked closely with the state for that result," said Gossett. "We need to continue that close cooperation today. It is vitally important that the second line for the 787 be in Everett."

Ground Broken for Martha Lake Airport Park

Snohomish County Councilmember Dave Gossett joined other members of the community to begin the construction of Martha Lake Airport Community Park at a ground breaking ceremony this week.

"This is extremely exciting for me," said Councilmember Dave Gossett. "It's been a long time coming and is vitally needed in this area."

Gossett noted that he first worked on the project as a county staff member in the late 1990's helping to develop the funding plan to purchase the property. Located off 146th Street West in Lynnwood, the property was purchased in 2000 from the Howe family, who had operated the Martha Lake Airport for many years.

"Southwest Snohomish County has seen unprecedented growth in recent years," said Gossett. "As more families move to the area the need for parks has become crucial. I've been working hard to meet that need."

The $3.1 million project includes baseball and soccer fields, a picnic shelter, restrooms, playground, trails, storm drainage facility, three commissioned artwork pieces and parking for 105 vehicles. The 18-acre park also will feature the county's first skateboard park. Adding an off-lease dog area is under consideration.

Mountlake Terrace
Transit Center Opens

With music and fanfare, Community Transit celebrated the completion last Friday of its first parking garage with the dedication of the new Mountlake Terrace Transit Center.

"This is an important day for Mountlake Terrace and south Snohomish County," said Councilmember and Community Transit Vice Chair Dave Gossett. "It just became a lot easier to take the bus and avoid the stress of driving while protecting the environment."

The new transit center, located at 236^th Street SW. and Interstate 5, has 880 parking spaces, including 652 in the five-level garage. It also has bike lockers and bike racks. Commuters will be able to ride Community Transit buses to downtown Seattle and the University District, as well as local service throughout south Snohomish County. King County Metro also serves the transit center.

"Public projects like this one provide important economic benefits to our community," said Community Transit CEO, Joyce Eleanor. "About 60 percent of the construction cost of a project like this goes to salaries, plus there's the obvious benefit of improved access to transit."

Later this year, Sound Transit is scheduled to begin work on a flyer stop in the median of I-5 just west of the transit center. This project includes a pedestrian bridge that will connect the flyer stop to the parking garage so riders can take ST Regional Express buses throughout the two counties.

"When the flyer stop is completed bus service to Mountlake Terrace will be quicker and more convenient than ever," noted Gossett. "And the stage is set for the future light rail line."

The Mountlake Terrace Transit Center has a number of environmentally friendly features including:

� Solar panels to generate electricity for the regional power grid

� Energy-efficient lighting fixtures and white painted ceilings to reflect the lighting for maximum effect

� Recycled materials including concrete and steel

� Daylighting of a seasonal stormwater creek that was enclosed in a culvert

� Use of native plants for landscaping

� No trees in neighboring Veterans Memorial Park were removed

Community Transit strives to help Puget Sound commuters think transit first. With 64 local and commuter bus routes and one of the nation's largest vanpool programs, the agency is a leader in finding new ways to make alternative transportation an attractive option. Call Community Transit at (425) 353-RIDE or (800) 562-1375 for bus information, or (888) 814-1300 for carpool or vanpool information, or go to www.communitytransit.org.

I hope you found this eNEWSLETTER informative and useful. You can make it even more valuable by suggesting topics and issues for future newsletters. Please contact me at 425-388-3494, or e-mail Dave.Gossett@snoco.org. If you would like to share this newsletter, select the Forward email link below.

Sincerely,

Dave Gossett
Snohomish County Council