It is developing a State Avenue plan to provide long-range guidelines that will improve the image, character, utilization and quality-of-life along the street as development occurs.

When Dave Koenig was hired as a city planner a few months ago, he was assigned to make a State Avenue plan.

“Marysville is interested in what its image is,” he said.

He said there a plan for downtown already is taking shape and trails will be added. A plan also is underway in the Lakewood area. This plan deals with the connecting road over time.

“We’re just starting the process,” Mayor Jon Nehring said. “We want to take into consideration what the citizens want.”

Koenig said the city has used its social network and already received 75 responses online in a week. Residents can get a hard copy of the survey by calling 360-383-8100.

Koenig already has started working with Community Transit, which wants to put its Swift transit service there.

“It’s quicker-than-normal bus service,” Koenig said. Stops are farther apart and tickets are purchased before boarding so trips are much faster.

Nehring said development on State Avenue now is a hodgepodge.

“We want to plan it better, and fill it out where we can,” he said.

In developing the plan, the city is interested in feedback from residents, business owners, customers, drivers, visitors and other stakeholders interested in the corridor.

The city asks people to take the following survey on the future of State Avenue:

•What do you like most about State Avenue and why?

•What changes to the State Avenue corridor do you most want to see in the next five years?

•What aspects or character of the State Avenue corridor should be preserved?

•What types of land use would you like to see more of on State Avenue? e.g. retail, commercial, residential, etc.

•What types of land use would you like to see less of on State Avenue? e.g. retail, commercial, residential, etc.

•In what specific areas of State Avenue could you envision mixed-use centers working? Mixed-use refers to a mix of housing, retail, offices and amenities.

•Which areas along State Avenue are visually appealing or unappealing to you? Please explain.

•What changes do you think would make it more attractive to live along or near State Avenue?

•Where do you see opportunities for recreation along State Avenue? Recreation could include small parks, open space, trails, etc.

•What types of land uses or public improvements should Marysville encourage near transit stops?

•How do you travel within the State Avenue corridor? You can select more than one travel method. Personal vehicle, carpool/vanpool, bus/transit, bike/walk/run

•Should Marysville improve opportunities for transit and pedestrians along State Avenue? Please explain.

•What commercial corridors in other cities do you like, and why do you like them? Please provide examples. e.g. I like Anytown, WA, because it has a variety of shopping opportunities and is easy to walk.

•Which of the following statements best describes your opinion of how the State Avenue corridor functions? Select only one. Regional arterial for vehicular traffic, a neighborhood with a sense of community, the ‘main street’ for south Marysville, a cohesive business district, a regional commercial corridor.

•Which of the following statements best describes your interest in State Avenue? Select only one. I live on/near State, I travel on State, I work along State, I shop on State, business owner, property owner, interested citizen

•Which of the following best describes your opinion about planning for State Avenue? Select only one. I think it is important for the city to plan for the future of State, I don’t think the city should pay more attention to State than other parts of the city, I don’t think the city needs to focus much attention on State.

•What other comments do you have as we begin to look at the future of State Avenue?

 

Also, the Marysville School District also is taking input from the community in a survey.

The questions reference students in sixth- through 12th grade.

Responders are asked to decide the extent of a problem with alcohol, marijuana, prescription or other drugs.

Other questions ask if driving under the influence, tobacco use, depression and suicide are problems.

There are also some true-false questions to see how well responders know current laws about:

•Using small amounts of marijuana in public.

•Is it OK to possess and/or use small amounts of marijuana?

•Is marijuana harmful?

•It is illegal to provide marijuana to a minor, even to your own kids at home?

•Can people 21 and older possess marijuana?

The next questions deal with driving under the influence of alcohol or marijuana.

Question 4 asks if police to a good job or not responding to calls about underage drinking.

Other questions are:

•Do you allow youth to drink alcohol in your home?

•Do you allow youth to use marijuana in your home?

•Do you monitor prescription drugs that youth might misuse, such as pain killers, anti-depressants, drugs for hyperactivity, and sleeping pills?

•Do you know where in your community you could get rid of prescription drugs that you no longer need?

•Do you know there is a group of volunteers in your community who are working to reduce youth alcohol and other drug use?

•Do you think there should be legal consequences if the police catch a youth drinking alcohol or using marijuana?

•Do you think there should be legal consequences if the police catch an adult providing alcohol or marijuana to youth?