Council approves using $2 million federal earmark for Veterans Memorial Park and pedestrian plaza

The Mountlake Terrace City Council voted Sept. 4 to authorize use of a $2,000,000 federal Community Project Fund award for the city’s Transit Connection Corridor project, including construction of a pedestrian plaza and accessible, lighted pathways through Veterans Memorial Park.

Jeff Betts, the city’s recreation and parks director, told the council the funds were awarded to the city’s 2022 federal earmark application and require a 13.5% local match — approximately $270,000 — which the city intends to provide with Sound Transit grants. Betts said the resolution clarifies the city’s intent to apply the federal funds to both the pedestrian plaza and the Veterans Park trail work.

If approved, the state must review the city’s submittals and then the project will enter an obligation phase; the city expects to advertise for bids soon after state approval and aims to return to council with bid approvals by the end of the year. Construction of the plaza is scheduled for 2026, Betts said.

Councilmember comments at the meeting focused on supporting the grant acceptance. The council approved the amended resolution by voice vote. The motion does not appropriate additional city general-fund dollars at this time; it authorizes the city to proceed with state submittal and procurement steps needed to obligate the federal funds and reach the construction phase.