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Council discusses one-time contribution to Lynnwood Neighborhood Center; Scully proposes $100,000
Summary
Shoreline council members discussed a mid-biennium funding request for the Volunteers of America Lynnwood Neighborhood Center, a 40,000-square-foot facility planned to open in early 2026, and directed staff to include funding options in the mid-biennium budget.
Shoreline council members discussed a mid-biennium funding request for the Volunteers of America Lynnwood Neighborhood Center (LNC), a 40,000-square-foot social-services facility planned to open in early 2026 along Aurora Avenue (Highway 99) in Lynnwood.
Deputy Mayor Mark and Council member Scully led the item and staff described the center’s planned services and partners. “It is a beautiful 40,000 square foot building that was really designed, from the get go as a dedicated social services center,” a staff presenter said, listing expected tenants including Volunteers of America, the Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County, Center for Human Services, Korean Community Service Center, Latino Educational Training Institute, Cocoon House and space reserved for medical, dental and vision providers.
Staff said the center is expected to serve more than 24,000 people annually and that Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Edmonds have already committed capital contributions of $1,000,000, $250,000 and $100,000 respectively. Council member Scully and others said Shoreline residents will likely use some services at the center and framed the project as a regional partnership that crosses county lines.
Council members discussed the city’s proper role and size of a contribution. Council member Scully said he had asked staff to present a recommended range and proposed a one-time Shoreline payment of $100,000. “I’m proposing a $100,000 and then we can debate and that can be reduced or not voted down,” Scully said. Other council members supported considering a smaller amount; Council member Scully earlier suggested a $50,000–$100,000 range as a staff option.
Council member Ademasu and others who visited the site described the facility as well-designed and noted features such as rooftop solar. Several council members emphasized the regional benefit, saying services such as a Korean Community Service Center or specific behavioral-health offerings would not need to be duplicated city by city. Council member Robertson said she wanted the contribution weighed against other mid-biennium priorities (for example, ADA improvements and housing-stability needs).
The council did not adopt a funding appropriation at the Oct. 6 meeting. Instead members directed staff to include the LNC request among mid-biennium budget options, with at least one council member proposing a $100,000 line item and others indicating support for a lower amount; staff confirmed a council member may offer a budget amendment during the formal mid-biennium process. Councilmember Scully said organizers characterized a remaining capital shortfall of roughly $900,000 at the time of his inquiry; staff did not present a separate, signed funding request from Volunteers of America at the meeting.
Several members said they support the concept and regionally shared services, and encouraged community members who wish to support the center to donate directly to the project.
