Last Tuesday, almost 100 people gathered at a Marysville town hall meeting in support of a new University of Washington campus in the city. Due to the rapid growth of the UW and desire to advance education in the state, the 2007 Legislature has called for consideration of a new UW campus in North Puget Sound.

There are four possible locations on the table: two in Everett, one in Marysville and another in Lake Stevens. The sites range from an urban 31-acre property in Everett to 369 acres of agricultural land in Marysville. A preliminary report detailing the plan for a new site in North Puget Sound is due to Gov. Chris Gregoire and the Washington Legislature by Nov. 15.

The Marysville site is the largest and is considered by many to be the best option.

“The state studies show that there are going to be 10,000 students that are … in the Snohomish, Island and Skagit county region. Based on the study and these students, we believe this site will best meet the needs. This site carries the shortest drive for these students, … most affordable housing and most importantly the most land to expand beyond the walls of the campus buildings,” said Doug Buell, a Marysville city spokesman.

Others have come out in favor of the Everett site, including the Boeing Corporation. Although the Everett locations may have some issues of pollutant cleanup, many believe the urban atmosphere is an important factor.

“Everett is more urban,” Buell said. “We’ve been working very hard to build that up here [in Marysville].”

He mentioned that the Lake Stevens location might be withdrawn due to fact that local property owners are no longer interested in selling.

“The county park parcel is what’s left. Thirty or 40 acres, it’s not much,” Buell said.

The decision to expand is not up to the University, but rather the Washington Legislature. The 2007 Legislature directed the UW and Washington State Office of Financial Management to recommend new sites and develop an academic plan for the new campus. Deb Merle, the higher education advisor to Governor’s Policy Office, explained the process.

“During the next legislative session, it will be up to the Legislature to decide whether, and where, tomove forward with a new campus.Each of the sites has pros and conswhich arebeing evaluated by a consultant hired by the state, which will be detailed in thereport,” she said.

Each site is being carefully looked over by several con-sultants. Martin Rugge, the project manager and lead campus planner from the lead vconsulting firm on the project, Seattle architecture company NBBJ, described several criteria for the new campus. The most important factors are size, proximity to I-5, sustainability and academic intent.

A UW regents’ meeting in October outlined academic specifics. The campus will focus on STEM, business, education and health-related fields. Like UW Bothell and UW Tacoma, the Puget Sound location will be open to upperclassmen at first and would gradually incorporate sophomores and freshmen at a later date.

According to the notes from the regents’ meeting, the overarching goal of the new campus is to serve the residents of North Puget Sound, Snohomish, Skagit and Island County with degree options that “advance economic development and global competitiveness for the state.”

The final UW Puget Sound campus plan is due to the Legislature in June 2008.

[Reach reporter Erika Cederlind at news@thedaily.washington.edu.]