Tag: Snohomish County

A great respite in this dreary spring of Seattle’s discontent

Carl Setzer

Quite the lovely day, today, north of Seattle. A wonderful sunny and warm respite in this gloomy spring of our discontent.

We have a project slightly north of Marysville, right off of Centennial Trail. So most of my team took a walk this afternoon. A delightful way to spend an afternoon.

The site’s going to have great views of the Olympics and the valley north of Marysville. It’s a really fun project. Been creative with AutoCAD and laying out lots. Getting to the site and seeing the land, the layout and flow is much more powerful than topographical lines on my computer.

Lots of wins. Though I did spent a chunk of this evening dancing with CAD. In all, a productive day, just in unexpected ways.

A view along Centennial Trail
A lovely afternoon walk

Let’s Talk Burgers, Shall We?

Carl Setzer

Over on Instagram one of my chums, Eat Stay Love posted the photo below:

 

Their post led to a discussion about great burger places in the region. Funny, but I realize I’ve experienced many and have my “definitive” list of favorites, which stretch from Seattle north to Bellingham.

This my reflexive list. What’s missing? What are your favorites? I’d really love to hear them.

Several years ago, I considered doing a road trip focused on the best burger places. Might be time to consider that one again. What do you think?

Through The Day Then Into The Night

Carl Setzer

A pretty standard day any more. Worked all day, mostly drafting a site plan, but some other work, too. The most amusing was driving to one of our new listings. The property has been framed, but is still under construction. As it’s listed, we wanted to hang a keybox on the property, so other agents can show. We’ll, got the keybox, inserted keys, drove it out to Snohomish from Marysville, and then noticed there are no doors on the property yet. Nothing to hang the keybox to. Sigh… Anyway,Ā I also followed up with a few folks, sent a gob of emails. After dropping off some drawings, etc, at a client’s house, I zipped home.

Now, in a couple of minutes, I’m heading off to a board meeting for the Snohomish County Youth Chorus. As my son sings in it, and the director is a long-time friend of mine, I’m quite committed to the org. It’s a fun group, the parents enjoy each other’s company, and the kids have fun. Oh, they sing and stuff!

Anyway, off on to the next appointment!

Now it’s Safeway, or Everything ChangesĀ 

Carl Setzer2 Comments

A few weeks ago, one of my local grocery stores rebranded.  After Safeway and Albertsons merged a few years back, the writing was on the proverbial wall. The Safeway branded store across the street was shuttered. A few months back, I noticed the start of a remodel. While talking with friends there, I was told the store would become a Safeway soon. That’s now done. 

A few days ago I noticed I felt somewhat sad looking at the sign. Well, the store has been an Albertsons as long as I can remember. Went there with my mom, watched the changes of the area, yet it was there. No longer, though. 

Lynnwood, this little suburb north of Seattle, hasn’t been as radically transforming as Seattle or the Eastside. Well, until recently. Stalwarts of my childhood have closed, buildings getting torn down, land redeveloped, vacant lots becoming neighborhoods. Housing prices sprinting upwards. 

Change. Pretty rapid change, too. 

Communities consist of these institutions, and their interactions with our citizens. The uniqueness of Lynnwood morphs, so what will become of the charms we value? I value?. 

Defining their value, though, is hard. I see the value to government, and our local business community. I’m a real estate agent and currently work in construction. I get that. Yet I worry that the influx of national chains and steep housing price inflation erode that which makes this community unique. Lynnwood has always been about commerce. But it’s also had a place for very one-of-a-kind businesses. Those are the ones vanishing. 

So many long-time residents I know feel concerned. Those things that build attachment vanish. What holds us here? At what place do we surrender to inflation and move to someplace more affordable? I guess that’s the question at the end of all this. 

I don’t know, my friends. Just don’t know. 

Along Marysville’s Ebey Waterfront Trail

Carl Setzer1 Comment

This afternoon I was able to break away from my desk and walk the nearby Ebey Waterfront Trail here in Marysville. It’s really nice trail, just off the river. Many opportunities for wildlife sightings (especially if you like birds)…I saw two bald eagles, a couple of herons and some other eagles, but they too far away to tell if they were juvenile balds, or goldens or something else.

Some photos from my walk are below, plus a video of the eagles. Though quite warm by western Washington standards, I found it a lovely walk and sunny, cloudless afternoon. Plus, I managed to finish my step goal for the day. A recipe for success, methinks.

Opportunities and All That

Carl Setzer

I’ve had two conversations today that have me thinking about the area’s economic opportunities.

  1. Seeing the potential from storage rental facilities, with RV spaces in particular. I know a builder who had nearly 100% occupancy shortly after pre-sales started. Complete hearsay, but I still trust it. Well, enough to be willing to do further research.
  2. Storefronts in the City of Everett. Now, after some brief research, looks like commercial real estate vacancies are down. Yet, while walking along Colby a week or so ago, there’s quite a bit of storefront space vacant. I think Everett has a lot of potential, and that it will materialize at some point. I’d like to see a more vigorous effort to promote the downtown of the city. Especially as an alternative to Seattle. But, that’s just my notion.

Anyway, there are other potentials out there. What are you seeing?

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day This Saturday

Carl Setzer

Perhaps you, like me, has a medicine cabinet filled with expired medications you have had no idea what to do with. The garbage, as well as the toilet, we know are terrible.

So, here’s a solution: the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday, April 29th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

In south Snohomish County, we can head to Mountlake Terrace’s police department located at 5906 232nd St SW, Mountlake Terrace.

If you don’t live close to Terrace, this link will help you find a closer participating location.

 

 

 

Slowing Moving Day In Everett

Carl Setzer

It was a weird day to be at the Snohomish County administrative offices.

One: for some strange reason, tons of people were submitting plans/requests for permits. Not sure the causality of that. But the line was LOONNGGG.

Two: there was plenty of media presence, most likely due to this story: “Cascade Mall shooter dies in apparent jail suicide“. Mr. Cetin was being held in the Snohomish County jail, part of the admin complex.

Three:Ā I heard that they were interviewing jurors for a major case. Not sure the whos or whats of that rumor, but there you go.

Four: I’m sure related to all the above, there was no parking in the county’s garage.

Last but not least, there was a gnarly accident on the corner of Oakes and Pacific, so Oakes wasn’t getting through, and people were being routed around Pacific.

Made for a slow moving day, but got some key stuff done. Not going to complain too loudly.

The Evolution Of EverettĀ 

Carl Setzer

Funny ol’ Everett. When I was a kid, I didn’t too highly of the town. Downtown felt so run down, south was over cluttered with bad signage. Not am interesting nor inspiring place. Well, it was fun to come up on the weekends and cruise. Yes, it was me and my cohort that got the cities of Everett and Edmonds to institute cruising bans. 

Today I was in the northern part of town. I now love those old homes, even with their crazy, quirky problems. 

But the town has changed, well since my teen years. That should be expected over a couple of decades. Id argue that it’s for the better. Personally, I believe Everett’s Navy Homeport is the root. Also there’s been serious effort to bring up the buildings in the downtown core. 

Seems that it’s a much more dynamic and interesting city now. Maybe not as funky and hip as parts of Seattle. And it’s a rather quiet place, especially after normal business hours. 

As I noted earlier, I think Everett has a lot of potential. There are a number of challenges ahead, but I think the city is well suited to not only “weather” them, but to thrive.