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EVERETT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN <br />OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES <br />The City of Everett has several important challenges <br />and opportunities as it positions for the future. As <br />the largest City in Snohomish County, Everett <br />houses a diverse mix of land uses: government <br />offices, port/marina, Naval Station Everett, medical <br />institutions, educational institutions, and primary <br />employment centers. Everett has historically been a <br />hub of different modes of transportation linking <br />with a port, major highways, including 1-5/SR-99 to <br />US -z, as well as the State's main north -south and <br />secondary east -west rail lines. Planning for growth <br />on top of this already complex transportation and <br />land use context poses a variety of challenges and <br />opportunities. <br />TRANSIT ACCESSIBILITY <br />The City of Everett is one of the only cities in the <br />State to run its own transit agency. Everett Station <br />is a central hub for Amtrak, Everett Transit, Swift <br />Bus Rapid Transit, Greyhound, Skagit Transit, <br />Community Transit, and Sound Transit commuter <br />rail/buses. As an operator of transit, the City has the <br />opportunity to influence transit service levels and <br />provide a level of local transit connections that other <br />communities cannot provide. Through its <br />transportation and land use planning, the City can <br />establish and maintain a welcoming environment <br />for transit by enhancing pedestrian access to transit <br />stops, providing stop amenities such as benches and <br />shelters, and helping link service through <br />partnerships with other transit providers. <br />As Sound Transit looks to expand Link Light Rail <br />service into Everett, the City has a major <br />opportunity to ensure that the ultimate investments <br />fit within Everett's land use and transportation <br />vision. This plan provides guidance into how the City <br />imagines transit investments interfacing with its <br />overall transportation system. <br />BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIVITY <br />Everett has made great strides to improve the <br />walkability of its downtown and completed several <br />important multi use trails, such as the Interurban <br />Trail. Many signalized intersections have been <br />upgraded to include pedestrian push buttons and <br />countdown indicators. Moreover, unsignalized <br />pedestrian crossings have been enhanced to include <br />flags and rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) <br />to enhance safety. Many signalized intersections <br />have also been adjusted to improve the signals' <br />responsiveness to bicycles. While new <br />infrastructure projects throughout Everett have <br />helped improve the safety of pedestrians and <br />bicyclists, additional improvements are identified in <br />the City's Bicycle Master Plan, parks trail plan, and <br />Shoreline Public Access Plan. <br />Funding maintenance of Everett's existing system <br />and obtaining the necessary funding for future <br />transportation projects are major obstacles. Strong <br />foresight and decisions have resulted in a relatively <br />healthy maintenance program despite the fiscal <br />impact of the recession of zoo7 to 2009. A <br />successful record of grant and regional funding has <br />allowed certain critical projects to move forward. <br />However, the existing Transportation Improvement <br />Program (TIP) has over $300 million of identified <br />needs. Strong decision making and prioritization of <br />projects will be required to make the most of <br />available funds. The City should also consider other <br />sources of additional funding. <br />PARKING <br />As the city continues to grow, parking will continue <br />to be a major issue. An updated downtown parking <br />plan is currently underway to address parking issues, <br />but other areas will likely experience parking <br />shortages. Additional parking zones for <br />neighborhoods may be needed as medical, <br />educational, and government institutions expand. <br />Expected infill development throughout downtown <br />and along major transit corridors could also further <br />increase demand for parking within adjacent <br />residential areas. As the cost of providing private <br />parking increases, there will likely be increasing <br />demands for public on -street parking which may <br />impact recommendations for roadway <br />improvements, such as improved streetscape, <br />sidewalks and bicycle facilities. <br />TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT 31 <br />