Growth, Development and Lynnwood, my Suburb north of Seattle

Went walking this evening. It’s been nice walking in the evenings these past two nights; last Friday I gave my left ankle a mild sprain. That frustrated me as I was starting to do jumping jacks. JUMPING JACKS! I’m a black belt in taekwondo and am limping after jumping jacks. Sigh…

Anyway, it’s nice seeing the stars. Orion’s Belt crisp and clear in this night’s air. 

On part of my walk there’s some new construction. Working in the industry, I take notice of such things in my neighborhood.

Now this lot (if you know Lynnwood, it’s on 60th between 176th and 173rd, just south of Meadowdale high school) was a single family home on a decent sized lot, which had been there forever, or so it seemed. I walked by that house daily from junior high through high school; no changes.

Well, the house is now gone, and 5 houses are going up. Five! And they’re 5 bedroom homes as well. Well, I’m pretty sure it was 5, but it was hard to read the sign in the dark, and I didn’t want to use my phone as a flashlight. Just seemed kinda weird.

Anyway, the surrounding houses are mostly mid-20th century three bedroom ramblers. Nearby are some larger split levels from the 70s and 80s. These new homes are quite a shift from the existing ones. But that’s what’s bring built in my town right now. All around, and in some large plat developments, too.

Makes me wonder what the future holds for Lynnwood. I’m expecting many more older homes will get replaced buy these larger homes on smaller lots. What will it look like in a couple years? That’s anyone’s guess. How many will get absorbed by growth, vs how many folks holding out against the incoming tide? There’ll be some hold outs. Perhaps many. But I expect there will be a gradual attrition that will snowball at times. Eventually, my funny little suburb will be as glitzy and shiny as Bellevue. BMWs, glad towers and McMansions.

It’s the way of things,  I guess.