The City of Mountlake Terrace has developed new web pages for the Civic Center project in response to community feedback that residents wanted to learn more information about the project.

Providing more detailed information about the project was one of the key outcomes learned in last year’s post election survey. The survey showed that while voters generally supported the project, they thought it was too expensive and too big. The City Council agreed with that finding and asked for a revised plan. The new plan reduces the cost by 33% than the original with most of the same components.

City Clerk/Community Relations Director Virginia Olsen presented the web pages to the City Council at their October 3 meeting and noted, “We hope the new online information will answer common questions about the new Civic Center and the images will demonstrate the amenities that would be available for our community to use.” She added, “Additionally, the site helps communicate the importance of this project as it relates to downtown revitalization and generating economic development which helps all of our residents.”

The Civic Center web pages are in alignment with the City Council’s direction to continue community outreach, particularly information about the revised Civic Center proposal’s reduced cost and size. The city is also developing a presentation about the project that can be provided to community stakeholder groups. “We want our community to know that this isn’t just a government building but a focal point in our revitalizing downtown, where people want to gather and use amenities that appeal to everyone, young and old and in between,” stated Ms. Olsen.

The city invites the community to provide input about Civic Center amenities, located at 23204 58th Avenue W. A special email was created, civiccenter@ci.mlt.wa.us, to provide your ideas, ask questions about the project, or request a presentation for your neighborhood or community group.

The new web pages highlight the amenities that are currently included in the plan, why there is a need for a new Civic Center, how much it will cost, and the next steps in the process. Some of the amenities discussed for the community/senior center include a home for the Mountlake Terrace Seniors Group, public meeting rooms, a banquet facility for community rentals, and room for special events like the art show. The project would also include space for city services returning to the downtown with an expansion of the police station to provide for current services that did not exist over 20 years ago, library facility improvements, and an amphitheatre for outdoor arts performances.

Find the new Civic Center web pages here. All of the documents the Council has reviewed over the past several years are available to the public online under “Results of Community Feedback” and “Background Info”. You may also contact City Clerk/Community Relations Director Virginia Olsen at (425) 744-6206 or at civiccenter@ci.mlt.wa.us.