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October 28, 2015 <br /> hub, Everett is experiencing exciting growth. Within just a few blocks of <br /> City Hall, we can see a new hotel, a farmers market, and more than 400 <br /> units of new housing taking shape. All of these projects will bring more <br /> residents, workers and visitors to Everett for years to come. <br /> Significantly, we've also seen gains in retail sales, particularly in vehicle <br /> sales and revenue from building materials and garden centers. Retail <br /> sales revenue represents nearly half of our total sales tax income, and an <br /> increase in this sector is an important indicator that consumers have <br /> regained confidence after the recent downturn. <br /> However, while we are benefitting from a recovering economy today, we <br /> know that many of our revenue sources can be volatile, and we still face a <br /> structural deficit in the coming years. My proposed budget continues our <br /> practice of prefunding future financial obligations. It also continues to <br /> replenish the City's reserves, and addresses maintenance that was <br /> deferred during the recession. <br /> In 2016 we will reactivate Capital Improvement Program 1 as a dedicated <br /> funding source for major renovations, repairs or replacements of existing <br /> government structures. We will also make improvements to our sewer <br /> system infrastructure, using funding from $50 million in water and sewer <br /> bonds that were issued this summer. <br /> Next year our residents can expect to see work begin on a variety of <br /> needed public works and parks projects throughout the city. After nearly a <br /> year of detours and hard work by our contractor crews, I'm pleased to <br /> announce that we are on track to open the new Broadway Bridge before <br /> the end of the year. We have secured state funding for both phases of a <br /> critical freight mobility project that will keep trucks and traffic moving on <br /> 41st Street, Rucker Avenue and West Marine View Drive. Construction <br /> will begin next summer. In late 2016 we will begin work on the Grand <br /> Avenue Park pedestrian bridge and stormwater pipeline project. <br /> In east Everett, improvements to Senator Henry M. Jackson Park will be <br /> completed next spring. We will also install a new permanent restroom at <br /> Wiggums Hollow Park, replacing the facility destroyed by arson a few <br /> years ago. Our parks staff will be busy in south Everett next summer, as <br /> we open the 15-acre South Everett Forest Preserve, build a new trail at <br /> 346 <br />