You will soon be asked to vote funds for the construction of a massive new ferry terminal at the south end of the Edmonds waterfront. An overhead, 7-8-ferry freeway and an automated people mover, of unknown dimensions, will span the north end of Marina Park. It will cover the parking lot, play area and a section, width unknown, of the Port/Park connecting bridge.
Taxpayers should vote against Edmonds Crossing because a new ferry terminal is an unnecessary extravagance. Rebuilt in 1995, the existing terminal is in good shape and can provide for projected traffic volumes until at least 2030. Building expenses are enormous because the exposure at the new location and its distance from the train terminal add millions of extra dollars to construction costs.
A new terminal is not just a waste of money, its also unfair to Snohomish County residents who will become the first county to be stuck with a cost formerly borne by the state. To add insult to injury, Kitsap County, the main generator of increased cross-sound ferry traffic, will contribute nothing.
For Edmonds residents a big terminal means more ferries hauling more cars to and from town. The Ferry System is already planning to bypass Bainbridge and divert through Edmonds the commercial and recreational traffic bound for the Olympic Peninsula.
Crawling traffic throughout Edmonds will be the long-term result of a big terminal. The destruction of Marina Park, a prime regional park, will be the immediate impact.
Edmonds Crossing is a bad project. It was idly conceived, carelessly reviewed and thoughtlessly place on the ballot. How many other projects may have been selected in the same slipshod way? Vote No on Prop 1.
Natalie Shippen
Edmonds