On the first floor would be small shops and boutiques; a brewery; some other pubs; restaurants, one maybe even being high end.

Never happen here? Think again. Some were saying that in Everett just a decade ago, and now it has many.

About two dozen people listened to consultant Alan Steinbeck talk about development at a public meeting at City Hall June 25. City officials were to meet June 26 all day to discuss the future of downtown and ways to develop it.

Steinbeck said this type of development is good for the environment because people can live near where they play, reducing air pollution by cutting back on driving.

“It improves quality of life,” he said.

City Administrative Officer Gloria Hirashima said the city has received $400,000 in grants from the Environmental Protection Agency and $200,000 from the Department of Ecology as a distressed community to clean up the waterfront and downtown. Public Works has received $2 million for other projects.

“We’ve got some cool projects in the works. It just takes a lot of time,” Hirashima said.

A lot already has been done. Police and code enforcement have reduced crime in the area 80 percent, she said. The Spray Park has brought families to Comeford Park. A new store and bank have cleaned up 4th and State. Third Street has been rebuilt with a historic look. And the city has leased the Opera House to try to bring in more arts.

“It’s a well-rounded approach” for different interests downtown, Hirashima said. But “when’s it gonna happen? We see everything, and we want to fix it. We sound like whiners because we want it to happen faster.”

Steinbeck said it likely won’t happen faster. It takes time. But getting a project started and having some success is key. He said the city may need to provide some incentives to get a developer to take on the risk of such a project. Such incentives could include: expediting development review, tiered impact fees, easing parking requirements, adopting flexible codes and more.

He said Marysville has a lot of retail space, which drives rents down. That makes a mixed-use project tougher to sell to investors.

Another challenge is “no A grade walkable place to go,” Steinbeck said. But he has seen things as small as a patch of grass for concerts and a health and wellness center become key cornerstones of development.

“It takes a small change in mindset,” he said.

He hinted that the Spray Park could become such a catalyst, especially if a music venue was an added component.

“People need to talk like it’s a great place to go, bringing new energy and life to town,” he said.

Materials he handed out say one block with three new storefronts or nighttime establishments has a great impact on perception than the same amount spread out in three or four blocks. It also says public events and festivals can bring foot traffic and customers to priority areas.

Another aspect of revitalization is job growth. On the West Coast especially Steinbeck said big businesses have encouraged such development. If such a company is found for Marysville, “a larger project could be penciled out in the future.”

One person in attendance said a bill that just was signed by the governor could bring many new jobs to North Marysville.

But Steinbeck said be careful what you wish for.

“A lot of people like to live here because it’s affordable,” he said. “While you’re not in immediate danger of throwing that out of whack you don’t want to undermine that dynamic. You don’t want to displace people. You still want affordable, stable neighborhoods.”

He added if people could drive to work in an hour they could still enjoy the benefits of living in Marysville.

Steinbeck said there is a pent-up demand for more apartments, and development of those could help clean up degraded areas. He added the city does have a well thought out downtown master plan that would bring in more housing to help revitalize the business community.

Please answer these five questions and email them to spowell@marysvilleglobe.com

1. What are the community’s best assests?

2. Where in town do you take guests when they visit?

3. What is your ideal waterfront and downtown?

4. What recent developments do you like?

5. Do you have any concerns about downtown development?