In case you haven’t noticed, spring has arrived in Mukilteo. I almost said it has finally arrived but there are several things I had hoped to be a little further along on before the nice weather arrived. We live in a gorgeous community and despite the many challenges we have (and we definitely have our share), Mukilteo remains one of the best places to live, work and play.

As summer approaches, so do the events and activities in Mukilteo. There are many improvements and planned improvements underway to increase the safety and convenience for everyone to enjoy in Mukilteo. So, here’s a brief synopsis of some of the events, activities, improvements, and plans happening in the very near term in Mukilteo.

The Mukilteo Farmer’s Market begins the first Wednesday in June at Lighthouse Park and Open Mic night begins the Wednesday before that at Red Cup Café in Old Town in the Lincoln Avenue Courtyard. Waterfront Wednesdays in Mukilteo is a collaboration of these two weekly events combined with other activities and many of the downtown businesses.

In addition to the Farmer’s Market and Open Mic night, we plan three movie nights at Lighthouse Park, artist’s studio tours including glassblowing and other demonstrations in the art building, two treasure hunts, and many other planned activities. Many downtown businesses will stay open late Wednesday evenings, offering Waterfront Wednesday specials.

The city is working hard to make our waterfront a better and safer place to be.  Pedestrian safety and access to Lighthouse Park took a giant leap forward when the council approved funding for the underpass that allows pedestrians to avoid the busy ferry dock intersection when going to Lighthouse Park.

Parking will be substantially improved with the elimination of overnight commuter parking, with plans in the works to replace those commuter spots elsewhere.

Vehicle access and delays park visitors experienced last year are being worked and you should expect some short term remedies beginning in June with some long term fixes (right hand turn lane and signalized/controlled intersection) beginning in the fall.

Lighthouse Park Phase II improvements should be complete in July and include significant improvements to the road in front of the lighthouse including a better turnaround and pedestrian improvements.

Also included in the Phase II are additional restrooms and a band shell thanks to a recently awarded grant that city staff has been working hard to acquire.

The city is also working on a pilot project that will be a Mukilteo Park and Ride during the day and overnight commuter parking lot in the evenings. Although many details remain to be worked out, the location on the east side of the Speedway at Bernie Webber Drive, as well transportation to and from the ferry dock seems almost certain.

The spring clean-up trash pickup is next week during your regular trash pick-up day. The council just approved an increase in funding it for our residents so be sure to take advantage of it.

Video webcasting of City Council meetings is now up and operational so if your schedule doesn’t allow you to attend a meeting you’re interested in, or, if you just want to tune in to see “what were they thinking?” visit the city website, www.ci.mukilteo.wa.us.

Thanks to a $1 million grant from the state and a lot of hard work by the Japanese Gulch Group and the city, Mukilteo now owns an additional 17 acres of land in the lower part of Japanese Gulch to be used for recreational purposes.

And finally after more than years of effort, the quiet zone is in effect at the Mt. Baker Crossing, thanks to the efforts of the citizens group CQM (Citizens for a Quality Mukilteo) led by Mukilteo residents Pat Kessler and Scott Decker, and Mukilteo’s public works director Larry Waters.

CQM was able to obtain a commitment of up to $600,000 from the Port of Everett for the Quiet Zone as mitigation for the Boeing Pier.

So there’s the quick list of spring stuff off the top of my head. Of course there are many other items on the horizon including the EMS Levy and revisiting the annexation question (this will be attempt No. 4 if anyone’s counting). Although residents will have the opportunity to vote for the EMS Levy as prescribed by state law, be sure to stay engaged and let the council know you want the opportunity to provide your opinion regarding annexation in the form of an advisory vote.

The preceding feature is published the second Wednesday of each month for The Beacon and is the opinion of Kevin Stoltz and may or may not represent the views of the Mukilteo City Council.