10 Years Ago 1997

A 1964 comprehensive plan calls for transforming the water access for recreational use. A 1968 comprehensive plan states, The planning areas water access through Ebey Slough will also become more and more valuable as the water and boat loving public mushrooms. Although this recreational asset has been nearly completely ignored due to the problems caused by tides and floods, the increasing demand will make development plausible as well as profitable. In 1981, a city commission included the waterfront in the boundaries for a downtown revitalization project. Studies and commissions for 30 years have produced streams of paper on why waterfront development is a good idea, but Marysville still doesnt have a place to launch a boat and park a trailer. With Ebey Slough running alongside the southern edge of town, providing access to Puget Sound, three sloughs Snohomish River and the Smith and Spencer Islands, Marysvilles waterfront could be an economic boon, a tourist attraction and a recreational area. City fathers have thought that since 1964. Unfortunately, it has not moved much further. I think Marysville has really missed a bet by not having an aquatics directed park, said Matt Gordon, a Marysville resident. He and other members of North Sound Sea Kayaking Association use an Everett Park to launch their kayaks, often frequenting nearby restaurants after a trip. He said a launch in Marysville would be used by many small boaters. It would be a great asset for the city, he said. The city commissioned a study in 1981-1982 to look at downtown development. The city has budgeted $20,000 to re-look at the study and update it, including studying the waterfront. In spite of commissions, plans and studies, the entrance to the city from Old Highway 99 looks the same as it has for years: a couple of saw mills along the Ebey Slough, a small marina and an empty lot filled with blackberry bushes and miscellaneous storage items. The best part of Marysville is hidden, said former mayor Rita Matheny. The citys current comprehensive plan, the citys long-range plan for development required by the state, calls for two waterfront access points. The city only has one: a 40-year-old public boat launch built by community volunteers and donations. The launch, located just west of the I-5 overpass near Welco Lumber Mill, has no parking. Users must park along the street, as well as dodge traffic from the mill. Fishing guide Russ Wise uses the old launch about three times a week. The launch is in fairly good condition, he said, but he often must park illegally alongside Welco Lumber Mill. This town has a lot of natural appeal, a complete tidal estuary out there and they dont have any real access to it, Wise said. On his trips up the slough in and around the islands, he has seen deer, eagles, blue herons, river otters and seals, he said. He guides bird-watchers as well as salmon, steelhead and trout fishers. The city continues negotiating the purchase of 5.4 acres along the waterfront for a public boat launch. Negotiations between the city and Welco Lumber Mill, the owner of the property, have been ongoing for over 18 months. The property, an empty lot with a concrete slab filled with lumber and barrels, is appraised at $835,000. In 1995, the city received a $438,000 grant for acquisition of the property. Jim Ballew, director of parks and recreation, said the development of the site into a public boat launch with parking would cost $1.7 million. He said negotiations have been slow. Councilmember Ken Baxter said he thinks the citys purchase of that property is the only way the downtown area will look any better. That property makes our businesses look crummy, he said. But what if it had happened 16 years ago, or even 30? What would Marysville be like now? Other cities, including LaConnor, Wash., San Antonio, Texas and Marina Del Rey, Calif., have turned once dilapidated water access into points into huge business and tourist attractions. Some members of the current Council and Mayor David Weiser say waterfront development of a boat launch or even a trail system would bring in more business and make Marysville a destination town. City planners were saying that in 1968. Longtime Council members Baxter and Matheny agreed: other priorities have taken the citys money. We have so many priorities and it puts something like this pretty low on the list, Baxter said. Water, sewer and streets have been where the bulk of city money has gone, Baxter said. Weiser said it may not necessarily be his first priority, but added that he thinks improving the property along the waterfront and installing a trail system along the dikes would encourage economic development. I dont know which one come first, but maybe they work together,”” he said. Councilmember Donna Wright said her vision for the area is a resort, where people can enjoy the water and walk along various shops and restaurants. People like water, even if its a slough, she said. The city cant solve all the problems, she said, but can encourage businesses to locate there. Weiser said the Council has ridden a riverboat through the area. Wed like to see some sort of trails down there, he said. Its a great asset. We should be taking advantage of it. Baxter favors the plan to buy the lot and install the boat launch, because it would make a 1000 percent difference when you drive into town from that highway, he said. However, the boat launch built in the 1950s has an advantage: it is past the bridges. With a high tide, many boats will require the railroad bridge to open if launched at the citys proposed site. We would probably get the credit for having the worst boat ramp in Snohomish County, Baxter said. Additionally, silt gathers in the slough and a boat launch located just west of the Ebey Slough bridge would require regular dredging. Ballew estimated that cost at $10,000 each time.

50 Years Ago 1957

Teachers can be supplied by the school district if suitable kindergarten classroom space can be located. That is the situation in Marysville, as outlined by Superintendent Robert Bates at the Monday night meeting of parents interested in kindergarten for the 1957-58 school year. Meeting in Liberty School Auditorium, the group elected as officers Mrs. J. C. Cave, president; Mrs. C. Sheets, vice president; Mrs. Earl Davis, Secretary; and Mrs. Erickson, treasurer. The immediate aim of the group is finding one or more suitable buildings in which to hold classes. Preferably, one building in the town of Marysville and one elsewhere in the district should be located.
LJ Jack Gjovaag is one of 10 U.S. High School seniors to receive Weyerhaeuser Timber Foundation college scholarships worth up to $1,200 each, it has been announced. Only children of Weyerhaeuser Timer and subsidiary companies are eligible for the scholarships. Selection of winners is based on scholastic aptitude tests, rank in high school graduating class, consideration of character and financial need. Jack, son of Mr. and Mrs. I.J. Gjovaag, will be graduated from Marysville High School June, 1957. He plans to use his scholarship at Pacific Lutheran College.