THE NEWSPAPER AT THE HEART & SOUL OF OUR COMMUNITY
Vol. 129 No. 43
WEEKEND EDITION JUNE 29,8,2019 75¢ WEEKEND EDITION JUNE 2014WWW.ARLINGTONTIMES.COM WWW.ARLINGTONTIMES.COM 75¢
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Cascade Industrial Center: the new name for investment here By Douglas Buell dbuell@arlingtontimes.com
SEATTLE – The Cascade Industrial Center – formerly the Arlington-Marysville Manufacturing and Industrial Center – became the region’s designated regional Manufacturing Industrial Center by the Puget Sound Regional Council Thursday. MICs receive priority for federal transportation dollars through PSRC, as they are expected to contribute significantly to regional economic and
employment growth. The Cascade Industrial Center comprises over 4,000 acres of land including more than 1,700 acres of developable, partially used and vacant sites in Arlington and Marysville. Streamlined permitting and business-friendly incentives help recruit, retain and expand businesses in the CIC, including a 10-year city and county property tax exemption, no city business and occupation tax, a reduced state B&O tax for aerospace,
general industrial, food processing and timber, customized worker training grants and Opportunity Zones, a type of new federal reinvestment tax break. The mayors of Arlington and Marysville celebrated the unanimous vote by the PSRC, capping an intense four-year process that involved sub-area plans and adapting regional policy changes and criteria to fit needs locally. “The cities have been working together for years to plan and make
infrastructure investments to support manufacturing and industrial business uses in this 4,000-acre center in north Marysville and south Arlington,” Arlington Mayor Barbara Tolbert said. “Our goal to benefit our residents with access to good employment opportunities close to home is now well on the way to being achieved.” Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring said the efforts taken to make the vision become reality will bring family wage jobs to the community.
“Businesses will find affordability and an enviable quality of life for their employees,” he said. “Residents will gain the opportunity to trade their commutes for working closer to home. It’s a win-win.” Currently, there are 8,000 jobs within the CIC, and PSRC anticipates that will climb to 25,000 by 2040. “We’re bullish on the region’s future over the next thirty years,” said Josh Brown, PSRC executive director. Among the grouping of 10 regional centers
that the CIC now joins, “These are the right places to grow manufacturing jobs, and the centers we’ll look at when we’re doling out transportation dollars. CIC is the newest place where we’re going to get things right.” For Arlington city councilwoman Jan Schuette, who has doggedly worked the designation process, said she is elated. “It has been a long road, See CASCADE, Page 2
Arlington Police Bike Rodeo teaches kids rules for safe riding By Douglas Buell dbuell@arlingtontimes.com
ARLINGTON – When it comes to Arlington police efforts to promote child safety behind the handlebars, this isn’t their first bike rodeo. But it has been over 15 years since they hosted a rodeo for young cyclists. Officers thought it was about time to bring it back to give kids a refresher on the rules of the road, just in time for summer. The bike rodeo featured an obstacle course in the Legion Park parking lot consisting of traffic cones some with arches attached
“It’s a great community event, we had an organization in need of funds, and we have a bike path running right through town....It can’t get any more perfect than that.” Shelly Hamel, officer, Arlington Police
with balloons and hula skirting to ride under, chalkdrawn pedestrian crossings and a drive-through bike spray wash. “The department set up the course to teach the kids about what they’re supposed to be watching for, obstacles and stuff, and we wanted to make it lots of fun,” city spokeswoman Kristin Banfield said. Families also stopped by for free child bike helmets and fitting thanks to community and business donations, to register their bikes with police and buy tickets for a chance to win one of eight shiny new bicycles, with proceeds going to the Arlington Community Resource Center. When officer Shelly Hamel heard it had been years since the department had done a bike rodeo, she agreed to jump-start it. “It’s a great community event, we had an organization in need of funds, and we have a bike path running right through the town,” Hamel said. “It can’t get any more perfect than that.” Hamel coordinated several money-raising events for law enforcement and other venues while working in past police departments. The bike rodeo raised $700 for the
Kid Bicycling Safety Tips
DOUGLAS BUELL/STAFF PHOTOS
Police Chief Jonathan Ventura helps 4-year-old Delilah Ramos of Arlington navigate an obstacle course at Saturday’s bike rodeo in Legion Park, while father Noe and son Benjamin look on.
ACRC, a local organization that uses funds to help with short-term needs for the homeless, addicted and others who have fallen on hard times. ACRC and police also had a table at the event covered with toys and books the organization keeps on hand to help children who are sometimes caught up in those family crises. During the five-hour rodeo, volunteers handed
out 250 helmets. S & S Roofing donated $2,500 toward helmets and other needs, coupled with donations from community members. The bike rodeo was a big day for 4-year-old Delilah Ramos of Arlington. After picking out a colorful princess helmet, she got to ride her bike outdoors for the first time. “She’s been riding, but haven’t had her riding the bike outside, only inside the house, said her father,
Noe, joined by wife Maggie and 1-year-old son, Benjamin. “This is a big step for Delilah. She’s pretty excited, learning a few lessons on the road.” She smiled as she rode the course repeatedly, training wheels keeping her balanced. Her smile grew bigger when Police Chief Jonathan Ventura hopped on a police bike See BIKE, Page 2
• Wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet • Actively supervise younger children when they are riding. • Adjust your bicycle to fit. Stand over your bike. There should be 1-2 inches between you and the top bar. • See and be seen. Wear white, neon, fluorescent or bright reflective colors when riding day or night. • Dress kids appropriately. Long or loose clothing can get caught in bike chains or spokes. • Control your bicycle. Always ride with at least one hand on the handlebars. • Watch for and avoid road hazards that can cause a crash such as, potholes, broken glass, gravel and puddles. • Obey traffic laws, signs, signals and lane markings. • Be predictable. Ride in a straight line, not in and out of cars. • Watch for parked cars. National Highway Traffic Safety Commission