To the Editor:
The Tribune’s article on the Snohomish Downtown Corridor planning meeting was thorough and charitable (“Snohomish weighing whether to widen First Street’s sidewalks, alter parking,” April 2 Tribune).
I was there as well, listening with one ear for residents and one for visitors. Feedback we never hear, and consequently don’t talk about is what visitors have to say or, more importantly what they don’t say. For example, who has ever heard from a visitor, “I’m never going back to Snohomish until they fix those uneven sidewalks.” Or, “I’m never going back to Snohomish until they turn angle parking to parallel, widen the sidewalks and add more benches.” “I’m never going back to downtown Snohomish until”…insert any of the planning committee’s reasons for
re-imaging First St. Point being, there really is nothing about downtown Snohomish that turns people off or turns them away.
So, while the “planning committee” spins themselves in circles trying to think of ways to “ensure it (First Street from Avenue J to Lincoln) remains a vibrant, accessible and functional corridor…” (direct quote from the postcard mailer invitation), transparently admitting to at least a 10-year plan, what becomes not so transparent is they are actually spinning themselves in circles trying to justify their titles and salaries, in my opinion.
Please stop spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on “pre-planning” architects who have no feel for the treasured vibe of our town until such time when the budget to realize the plan is actually available. The City of Snohomish, Inc. is living beyond its means.
Carlee Montanaro
Snohomish
