For the past five summers in Mukilteo, residents have enjoyed stocking up on fresh produce, meats and various other delicacies at the weekly farmers' market, and showcasing their talents at the Mukilteo Arts Guild-sponsored Open Mic Night in the Lincoln Courtyard.

What else could draw visitors to the north end of town on a summer Wednesday evening?

Lots of things, according to organizers of Waterfront Wednesdays in Mukilteo, (informally referred to as the Get 'Er Done Gang, for their determination to make a plan, then get 'er done).

Outdoor movies, a dog parade, glassblowing demonstrations and lighthouse tours are among the suggestions that came up at Wednesday's meeting.

Some local businesses, including Red Cup Café, which hosts Open Mic Night, have already agreed to stay open later in the evenings during summer Wednesdays, and some could offer special incentives.

In the early years, both of the main events were on Wednesdays, and both in Old Town. More recently they've taken place on separate nights and/or in separate locations, which has made it harder for visitors to enjoy both.

Can that early synergy be recreated and grown, even with the two still separated by distance?

The Get 'Er Done Gang is confident it can happen.

"If we can share with the community what all we have going on down here, really draw them in to show them what we have to offer, it could be really exciting," councilmember and Waterfront Wednesdays organizer Kevin Stoltz said.

But first, there's the matter of getting people to the north end of town.

"We're going to have to change the mindset about ferry traffic," Stoltz said. "People don't come down here because they hear the ferry traffic is so bad. Once they get that in their minds, it kind of sticks, and it's one of the things we have to get past."

There's also the matter of getting safely from point A to Point B and back - with limited parking in Lighthouse Park, organizers would like to encourage walking for those visitors able to do so. 

Plans are in the works for a shuttle, but organizers will have to work out details such as a driver and how much, if any, to charge to offset gas and other expenses.

Even while encouraging walking up and down the hill between the various activities,

Stoltz and the rest of the Get 'Er Done Gang are concerned about the narrow sidewalks along the 525 bridge, the only direct route between Old Town and the waterfront.

Stoltz's idea of a pedestrian underpass that would route local foot traffic away from the congested Front Street/SR 525 intersection is in the design phase, but as of yet there's no set plans to build it or the money to do so.

"Those are the things that really terrify me," Stoltz said. "We don't want to create a situation with people walking back and forth when we haven't done things from a safety standpoint."

Everyone is aware how dangerous that intersection has become, Stoltz said, and the city will have to make it safer to encourage more visitors to the area.

Parking also continues to be a problem in Lighthouse Park. Farmers Market executive director Cherri Paul said that last year some vendors pulled out of the market when they couldn't find adequate parking in time to set up their booths, and their potential customers couldn't find parking to do business at the market and had difficulty even leaving the park due to the heavy traffic.

Island commuter Ivan Solkey, a fan of the farmers' market, nonetheless said the city should first fix the intersection and the parking situation.

"I think it's a great idea, but the City of Mukilteo does not have the infrastructure in place, nor the plans to improve the infrastructure to support all the people, traffic and cars in that area," he said. "They should figure out how to fix that first, before calling more people to the waterfront every Wednesday. " 

The group wants to involve all of the area's service organizations, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis and Rotary, as well as students of district schools.