Lynndale’s last days

Sitting in the old gym last night listening to another concert, I felt a sense of finality. This building, built in 1957 and remarkably unchanged since, is doomed. Within a month, this building will be gone. Making way for the new.

Memories haunt these halls. Though I never was a student here, my son’s whole academic career resides here. Over the past 7 years, I’ve been in many meetings, many activities in many of these rooms. This place contains many memories, and probably the majority of my son’s.

One of the Edmonds School Districts’s oldest buildings, it contains the style of those schools I grew up with. Going forwards, he moves into a structure built in the 2000s, then to one from the late 80s. Yet, there’s connection for me. Name-wise, these are the same institutions I attended.

Progress is good. The new nudge school and high school are well crafted, delightful places. They meet the needs of 21st century students. Good ol’ tired, when Lynndale will soon join those ranks. And the gladness I feel tempers the sadness. The connections will hold.

Observed changes in #Lynnwood

Yesterday I noticed that demolition started on the old Taco Bell just east of Highway 99 on 196th. It’s last incarnation: another taco place, this one of similar quality to the great taco trucks. Many memories, but the building’s neglect finally won.

We’re getting a CVS pharmacy, which surely shall add delight to an already very busy corner. It’s a high-volume intersection, so I expect they’ll do well. I imagine traffic to get worse there, though. Maybe it’ll hardly be noticeable, that whatever traffic improvements built will easily compensate. One can hope.

Gives me pause, all this development. Our suburb’s design focuses on cars. Parts of Lynnwood are walkable. Yet many spots require a significant level of bravery and/or desperation. I’d love to see more walkability and bicycle friendly design featured in our development. Maybe we can all feel encouraged to slow down and enjoy our neighborhoods. Discovering a great life that doesn’t involve lugging around tons of steel and plastic. One hopes. Well, on this one I act. Some things are important enough to demand action. Some things…

Some significant changes in Lynnwood

My town has seen some rapid changes these last few months. Several major projects are in process, both public and private. These are bringing much needed growth to the area.

Costco’s long delayed new store on the old Lynnwood high school site finally launched; moving really fast. I’m glad the City is being thoughtful with the road structure around the area. Adding much more capacity to the area is quite critical, as traffic volumes are going to go nuts when Costco comes online.

Another significant spot of change is off of 196th & 36th. The aging and dilapidated Alderwood Manor Hardware Store building was finally razed. And just a few feet away, a multi-story apartment building or condo tower will be built. That will significantly impact traffic in that area, already a heavily traveled spot. But the City already had improvements in process.

These are just a few highlights. There’s a CVS pharmacy in the works for 196th near 99, the long-overdue traffic revision by the Post Office on 208th, and more. Lynnwood is coming alive economically. It’s amazing and delightful to watch.