MUKILTEO, Wash. — A predicament over public versus private property has hit the shores of Mukilteo.
The issue: What to do with prime real estate on the city’s waterfront while balancing public access and economic potential?
As Steve and Christine Shmalz walk the Mukilteo waterfront, they worry what looms on the horizon.
“I’m afraid if this goes to a developer we will lose public access,” Steve Shmalz said.
The city is considering selling a 2-acre parcel of land north of the Mukilteo ferry dock. It’s an old fuel depot that has sat unused for decades.
Mayor Joe Marine would like to see it fuel economic growth.
“There are a lot of people who want to see shops and restaurants, things like that down there,” Marine said.
Residential development is not allowed. The land is designated as a future public park in the city’s master plan.
Shmalz, a 12-year city council member, says the land belongs to taxpayers, not developers. He believes it should be preserved as a public park.
“We’re going to lose this beautiful view if we go ahead and sell this to developers,” he said.
The mayor argues there are already two parks to the north and south. His plan would actually expand green space at Lighthouse Park and expand the tax base, alleviating some of the burden on local families.
“By having more sales tax coming in, it allows us to not have to raise property taxes and helps offset some of that,” Marine said.
The city council has already quietly cleared the way for the process of selling to developers to begin.
While public comment will be taken before any final vote is cast, Shmalz worries that may be too late.
“Eventually we’ll have public comment, but sometimes the decisions have already been made before the public has a chance to speak,” he said.
The debate has become a campaign issue between the two. Shmalz is challenging Marine for the mayor’s office on the November ballot.
“You’re never going to have that one thing that pleases everybody,” said Marine. “So, I think it’s a give and take.”
“Our parkland is not up for sale, that’s for sure,” countered Shmalz.
If the mayor has his way, ground could be broken on the waterfront within three years. His opponent urges those who don’t want to see more development to call city hall.
트위터 공유: 공공 해변 개발 갈등 시민 공원 지켜낼까