Everett/Snohomish County Development News

[taiwanesedrummer36]

Originally Posted by mhays

So basically you want SnoHoCo to be my personal version of hell? And have it run counter to every ethic we have about responsible growth?

Are you kidding me? Is a landscaped, seven-lane arterial really that bad? Look at other local cities. In S. King County, Highway 99 is being widened to seven lanes with heavy landscaping to improve traffic flow, not to mention to promote new development. In Lynnwood, Highway 99 was widened to seven lanes a couple of years ago. In Everett, Evergreen Way and Everett Mall Way are seven lanes wide. Are seven lanes really that bad, especially if landscaping and unique asthetics are added? At least we're not as bad as Las Vegas, where their major arterials are twice the size of I-5 at its widest point. All i'm asking for is seven lanes, and no more, no less. If you have ever driven on those arterials during peak-commuting times or during weekend-shopping sessions, you know exactly what i'm talking about.

[taiwanesedrummer36]

Does anyone know what exactly is going to be built at the NE corner of I-5 and 128th? First I heard it was going to be a small, urban village, like Newberry Square. Then I heard a subdivision was going to be built. Now I hear it's going to be a super-urban village (basically a bigger urban village that Newberry Square). What exactly is going on there? All I see is an empty lot with a pedestrian bridge stub.

[mhays]

Landscaping can help. But it's still an obscenely wide road.

Further, the 7th lane is presumably a continuous turning lane, so would there not be a median that pedestrians could use as an island? It's unconscionable to make something too dangerous for pedestrians to cross, or make them walk three blocks to a light, so anything that wide would need a raised median.

[taiwanesedrummer36]

You know, in this self-imagined image, SR 96 doesn't look that bad, considering in this section SR 96 is eight-nine lanes wide instead of the standard 6-7 lanes.

[mhays]

That would be rediculous to cross left to right. Absolute hell and totally unethical planning.

[WESTSEATTLEGUY]

^I think they would put skybridges up, like they have on Aurora Ave.

[mhays]

So we can only cross where there's a skybridge? And we have to walk up stairs? Also, let's not forget that each skybridge requires two elevators, meaning they're rediculously expensive, and means you get even fewer of them.

Basically pedestrians would get the short stick. Many would cross anyway, putting their lives in danger. But who cares, right? They don't even have cars!

[taiwanesedrummer36]

Why are you so negative about six-seven-lane arterials? The majority of people drive cars to get around, not walk or whatever. This is probably because of a lack of good transit service, such as in Everett, which might explain why Everett has several seven-lane arterials. Yes, I know that we need to reduce our dependency on the motorized vheicle, but we still need expanded roads for our ever-expanding population.

And why do you hate seven-lane arterials so much? It's people like you that ruin the world we live in, and make me eternally pissed off.

[BoulderGrad]

Originally Posted by taiwanesedrummer36

Why are you so negative about six-seven-lane arterials? The majority of people drive cars to get around, not walk or whatever. This is probably because of a lack of good transit service, such as in Everett, which might explain why Everett has several seven-lane arterials. Yes, I know that we need to reduce our dependency on the motorized vheicle, but we still need expanded roads for our ever-expanding population.

And why do you hate seven-lane arterials so much? It's people like you that ruin the world we live in, and make me eternally pissed off.

I'm sick of hearing this. Adding more lanes does N-O-T-H-I-N-G for relieving traffic. At the least, All it does is create another lane of cars that isn't moving. At worst, it creates a bigger mess because more people are trying to merge across more lanes. People like YOU need to get over the idea that more lanes = more capacity. It's having many different ways to access the same area that keeps people moving. And its 6-7 lane arterials that ruin the world we live it by turning it into one big field of asphalt.

[mhays]

Originally Posted by taiwanesedrummer36

Why are you so negative about six-seven-lane arterials? The majority of people drive cars to get around, not walk or whatever. This is probably because of a lack of good transit service, such as in Everett, which might explain why Everett has several seven-lane arterials. Yes, I know that we need to reduce our dependency on the motorized vheicle, but we still need expanded roads for our ever-expanding population.

And why do you hate seven-lane arterials so much? It's people like you that ruin the world we live in, and make me eternally pissed off.

You're free to do what you want, but not when it causes unnecessary environmental damage, not when it wastes tax dollars, not when it makes the city an ugly, dirty, dysfunctional place, and not when it takes away people's right to safely cross the street.

I like pissing people like you off. Your ideas are cancer to a city.

[sequoias]

I don't want more lanes and that creates more traffic! I want MORE transit and more people walking around nearby retail with homes nearby. They have been adding bus lanes on Aurora Ave N in phrases so buses can go faster and not get stuck in traffic and that's better than adding more lanes for cars.

[CrazyAboutCities]

Originally Posted by taiwanesedrummer36

Why are you so negative about six-seven-lane arterials? The majority of people drive cars to get around, not walk or whatever. This is probably because of a lack of good transit service, such as in Everett, which might explain why Everett has several seven-lane arterials. Yes, I know that we need to reduce our dependency on the motorized vheicle, but we still need expanded roads for our ever-expanding population.

And why do you hate seven-lane arterials so much? It's people like you that ruin the world we live in, and make me eternally pissed off.

Hello! This is Seattle, Washington that supposed to be environment-friendly city that provide public transit, cleaner air, and narrower streets. Wider streets will not solve traffic problems but will make it worse period. Do you want Seattle, Washington to become another ugly Los Angeles with wider streets, cutting the trees down, and causes more pollutions?

[taiwanesedrummer36]

I think i'd better make myself clear:

First of all, I would like to see LANDSCAPED six-lane arterial on 164th and 128th streets, because those two arterials are the most congested in Snohomish County. I use these roads at least twice and week and I know what i'm talking about. My intention is not to destroy the beautiful surroundings we live in, cause I love trees! They make everything so beautiful, quiet, peaceful, and green. I just would like to see TWO LANDSCAPED six-lane arterials being added, and that's it. I mean, the third lane can either be a general-purpose lane, a Business Access-Transit lane, an HOV lane, or whatever, something that adds a little capacity to these two congested arterials so the traffic flow improves greatly.

If you do not understand what i'm trying to say, then just leave me alone....

[mhays]

I think we get it. We just don't agree with you.

Nobody gets "left alone" here when people disagree with them. Perhaps you're not clear that this is a "discussion forum"?

[taiwanesedrummer36]

Well then, it's my opinion that you're all crazy. Have a nice day!

[CrazyAboutCities]

Originally Posted by taiwanesedrummer36

I think i'd better make myself clear:

First of all, I would like to see LANDSCAPED six-lane arterial on 164th and 128th streets, because those two arterials are the most congested in Snohomish County. I use these roads at least twice and week and I know what i'm talking about. My intention is not to destroy the beautiful surroundings we live in, cause I love trees! They make everything so beautiful, quiet, peaceful, and green. I just would like to see TWO LANDSCAPED six-lane arterials being added, and that's it. I mean, the third lane can either be a general-purpose lane, a Business Access-Transit lane, an HOV lane, or whatever, something that adds a little capacity to these two congested arterials so the traffic flow improves greatly.

Widening the streets are more likely to chop these trees down and increase smog level. Look at I-405 freeway between Bellevue and Renton, they chopped trees down just to make room for additional lanes. Re-plant the trees won't be same.

Originally Posted by taiwanesedrummer36

If you do not understand what i'm trying to say, then just leave me alone....

Excuse me, you're the one who jumped the gun at us here.

Originally Posted by taiwanesedrummer36

Well then, it's my opinion that you're all crazy. Have a nice day!

You have to accept people's opinions whether you agree with it or not. Deal with that.

[taiwanesedrummer36]

Onto new news.

I was traveling around Everett over the past few days, and I realized great potential for Everett's dilaphildated commercial areas. Here's a map of my proposed idea:



This map basically shows the boundaries of new urban villages that should be built in Everett, probably as part of the state's Growth Management Act. Basically each village would be specially designed according to it's surroundings, with multiple transit connections.

- Downtown Everett
Basically the "center" of Everett, I propose this is where the most residential, commercial, office, hotel, and entertainment developments will occur. Buildings will rise about 30-50 stories with two-three floors of street-level or underground retail (big-name stores). Parks and plazas will be built in each development.
- Everett Station
The area around Everett Station will be turned into a mainly residential community, with condos/hotels rising five-ten stories. Underground parking will be at least 5-stories deep, to support parking for commuters, residents, and shoppers/tourists. Parks/open green space is a must.
- Riverside Heights
Basically 5-10 story residential developments with parks. Streetfront retail will be basic to serve basic commercial needs.
- 19th Promenade
Basically 5-10 story residential developments with parks. Streetfront retail will be basic to serve basic commercial needs.
- South Broadway
Basically 5-10 story residential developments with parks. Streetfront retail will be basic to serve basic commercial needs.
- Central Broadway
10-15 story mixed-use developments with green space, and major commercial developments.
- North Broadway
Basically 5-10 story residential developments with parks. Streetfront retail will be basic to serve basic commercial needs.
- College Village
10-20 story mixed-use developments with green space, and major commercial developments.
- Waterfront Promenade
6-story residential/hotel developments with green space, walkways, amphitheaters, marinas, and some commercial developments.
- Riverfront
20-30-story residential/hotel developments with 3-story commercial developments below, green space, entertainment complexes, and landscaped walkways/trails
- Rucker Center
Multi-level commercial power center (2-level parking garage, 3-4 level commercial development.
- Claremont Village
15-20 story mixed-use developments with green space, and major commercial developments.
- Evergreen Promenade
20-25 story mixed-use developments with green space, and major commercial developments.
- Cascade Lake
20-25 story mixed-use developments with green space, and major commercial developments.
- Casino Village
20-25 story mixed-use developments with green space, and major commercial developments.
- Everett Mall
10-story commercial developments with some residential/hotel developments and green space.
- Silver Lake Village
25-30 story residential/hotel developments with green space, and major commercial developments.
- Paine Village
25-30 story residential/hotel developments with green space, and major commercial developments.
- Mariner Village
35-40 story residential/hotel developments with green space, and major commercial developments.
- Murphy's Corner
Multi-level commercial power center (2-level parking garage, 3-4 level commercial development.


Wouldn't that make a great Everett?

[USAPatriot]

Very nice plan. I looked through it, and would love to se most of that happen. Downtown development is key right now. More high rises and attracting business for Everett...and Lynnwood.


Also, Mountlake Terrace, and Bothell (King County, oops) working on town centers.

[citruspastels]

nice plan! i'd love to see a modern streetcar in everett as well.

[taiwanesedrummer36]

The streetcar is probably going to take a while. I haven't heard anything official.