Mountlake Terrace Council signals support for civic center bond measure

By Doug Petrowski

On Tuesday, the Mountlake Terrace City Council approved a resolution in support of the municipal bond measure that will go before voters in April. The council vote was 4-0, as three councilmembers were absent from the meeting.

Passage of the resolution in support of Proposition 1 enables councilmembers to represent each other as a body as they advocate for voter-approval of the measure.

If approved by voters, Proposition No. 1 would authorize the city to raise up to $25 million through the issuing of municipal bonds for the specific purpose of building a new civic center at 58th Avenue West and 232nd Street Southwest in Mountlake Terrace. The civic center would include a new building for city hall offices and a community/senior center, a remodeling and expansion of the present police station on the site, and some improvement to the present library building also on the grounds. The measure will appear on the April 23 special election ballot and requires 60-percent voter approval for passage.

Mayor Jerry Smith and Councilmembers Kyoko Matsumoto Wright and Bryan Wahl were absent from the meeting. “This has been on our table for some time,” said Mayor Pro Tem Laura Sonmore. “I know the other three councilmembers that aren’t here support this.”

Nine people took advantage of a public comment period prior to the council vote; all spoke in favor of Proposition 1 and the Civic Center that would be built if the bond measure is approved. “I’ve been a resident of Mountlake Terrace for 13 years, and I hope to live here a lot longer,” said Melanie Granfors. “I am supportive, waiting and hopeful for economic development in the city. This is a catalyst for our community.”

“I am a volunteer all over this city and I can tell you this is sorely needed,” added Cynthia Wesley.

A resident of Mountlake Terrace since 1976, Anne Nygaard also expressed a desire for the new civic center, and the senior center that would be a part of it. “We’ve been talking about it long enough,” she said. “It’s time to build it.”

The ballots for the April 23 special election are expected to be in the mail the week of April 1.

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