Contact:

Meghan Jordan                                                    Fay Lim
Communications Specialist II                               Communications Supervisor
Meghan.Jordan@snoco.org                                  Fay.Lim@snoco.org 
425-388-3918                                                      425-388-6413

Snohomish County Kicks off Light Rail Communities Planning Project with

Online Open House

The public is invited to provide input on this phase of the project until July 23, 2018

EVERETT, Wash., June 22, 2018 – In anticipation of the arrival of Sound Transit’s light rail service in the mid-2030s, Snohomish County is launching a planning project to prepare an area of unincorporated Snohomish County. In partnership with stakeholders, the county is proactively planning with the surrounding communities to best integrate land use and transit. The county is seeking public input via an online open house. Comments must be submitted by Monday, July 23, 2018.

“We want to hear from the public to help guide our planning efforts as we prepare southwest Snohomish County for the arrival of light rail,” said Dave Somers, Snohomish County Executive. “By leveraging the benefits of light rail for all communities in our part of the Sound Transit district, we will ensure our plans align with the community’s desires. We are focused on ensuring we plan for more affordable housing and take full advantage of Transit Oriented Development. More jobs and more affordable housing near light rail will be good for the whole region. This is planning for the future we choose.”

The voter-approved Sound Transit 3 (ST3) will extend light rail north of Lynnwood to Everett via Paine Field. Two stations will be located in unincorporated Snohomish County at 164th St (Ash Way Station) and 128th St (Mariner Station) near their respective intersection with Interstate 5.

The county is seeking input from the people who live, work, do business, own property or provide a public service or utility in these areas to consider what light rail could mean to their community and to help plan for the future. Station area and subarea plans will look at community features such as housing, employment, transportation, parks, land use and zoning, parking, station access and more.

Light Rail Communities Online Open House

What: Visit the online open house webpage to:

• Learn about the project background, purpose and timeline.
• Give your input on what should be considered during the planning phase.
• Tell us about the neighborhood and which amenities you care about most.
• Help identify and provide feedback on potential project benefits and impacts.
• Find out about public involvement opportunities and how to stay informed.

When: June 22 – July 23, 2018

Where: https://snocolrc.participate.online

The county’s planning project is in advance of Sound Transit’s planning, with the intention for it to inform their process. Sound Transit is expected to begin their work in 2020 including a public engagement process with numerous opportunities for input. Final decisions on the actual station location and alignment will be made by Sound Transit.

About Snohomish County Public Works

The Snohomish County Public Works Department constructs and maintains county roads; controls and manages surface water quantity, quality, and fish habitats; and oversees the recycling and disposal of solid waste. The department’s main office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA 98201. For more information about Snohomish County Public Works, visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/PublicWorks.