ARLINGTON – As Mayor Barb Tolbert looks out her second-story City Hall window at the shops lining Olympic Avenue and Centennial Trail as it passes through Legion Park, there’s a sense that good things await in the new year.
“So many big things could happen this year that are significant going forward,” Tolbert said.
If the mayor drew up a Top 5, it might look something like this.
America’s Best Communities
Arlington – along with partner Darrington – could see the rewards come spring of a year’s work of economic and community revitalization projects as one of eight finalists nationwide in the ABC competition, with a top prize of $3 million.
The competition has spurred several strategies aimed at addressing long-term socioeconomic challenges and significant economic disruption that occurred in the aftermath of the Highway 530 landslide.
Retail-focused consulting for businesses, beautification of main street properties, establishment of a youth council, tourism promotion, wi-fi hot spots and projects focused on rural innovation are a few examples of ways the city has met the challenge.
Manufacturing Industrial Center
For a few years now, Arlington and Marysville have lobbied the state legislature, and more recently worked with the Puget Sound Regional Council and Economic Alliance of Snohomish County, to recognize the Arlington Marysville MIC. The proposal has a good chance of happening in early 2017.
The MIC is a hub of industrial activity, the second largest in Snohomish County. It includes a total land area within the boundaries of 4,019 acres; 57 percent is in Arlington and 43 percent in Marysville to the south of the airport. About 1,762 acres, or 44 percent, consists of land with the capacity for additional development, including partially used, re-developable and vacant sites.
A market study completed in August 2016 projects upwards of 25,000 job by 2040 for the MIC, due in part to more-affordable land and building cost than areas to the south.
Arlington Awaits
Starting in January, the city marketing campaign, Arlington Awaits, will launch nationwide. The campaign is designed to recruit new commercial and industrial businesses to Arlington, Tolbert said.
The city provides essential information to prospective businesses looking for lower taxes, less regulatory burden, helpful government leadership and other benefits.
Streamlined permitting
Arlington is participating in the Snohomish County Manufacturing Pilot Program in collaboration with the state Department of Commerce.
The program’s purpose is to develop strategies that reduce time, “red tape” and frustration for manufacturing companies as they try to comply with multiple regulatory requirements and agencies during the permitting process.
Health and human services
Tolbert said the city is stepping up its effort to bring together nonprofits, faith-based organizations, civic groups and others to work toward better reaching out and serving the community’s most-vulnerable residents. “The community court proposal is one we’re looking at to bring a lot more resources together for people who need the services the most, but who may not know they exist.”
The city also was awarded a $25,000 grant from United Way of Snohomish County to develop a 211-style list of aid-ready resources that serve the homeless, addicted and mentally ill.
Other priorities
•Tolbert said the city will begin discussions with Marysville and its fire district to explore a Regional Fire Authority for fire and EMS services.
•She said the city is working to get police back to full staffing.
•On the transportation infrastructure front, Tolbert said the city will have completed 35 percent of the projects included in the 10-year preservation plan by the end of 2016, with more road projects on tap in the new year.
•Parks will see completion of two ballfields at Quake Field with rain-resistant synthetic turf. Haller Park will see new restrooms and a Splash Pad. Also, trails are planned in the Kent Prairie area linking to the Centennial Trail.
