Residents urge renovation ballot and propose station "train melody" pilot

Two public commenters used the Feb. 26 study session to float distinct proposals for local projects.

Dale Jeremiah urged the council to analyze renovation costs for the pavilion rather than presume a replacement. Jeremiah cited a consultant replacement estimate of about $2.38 million for equipment and roof work, then presented a rounded $7 million renovation scenario (installation and upgrades included) and suggested putting a renovation measure on the ballot rather than immediately funding a new facility.

Daniel (Danny) Vega, who identified himself as a Mountlake Terrace resident and a University of Washington urban-planning senior, described a capstone initiative to pilot station-specific "train melodies"—short, 7-second musical cues used on some rail systems to identify stations. Vega said he commissioned three melodic options and is testing engagement via English/Spanish five-minute surveys, local business outreach and a planned in-person tabling event at the Mountlake Terrace Library; he said he intends to submit a formal proposal to Sound Transit by the summer.

Why it matters: The pavilion and recreation center are central to parks-and-recreation discussions in the broader fiscal task force debate. Vega’s proposal is an example of community-led placemaking that could be integrated with Sound Transit station branding and wayfinding if approved by the transit agency.

Quote: "So I'm suggesting if the cost of $7 million is realistic for the needed renovation, put it on the ballot and we'll find out if that expense is something our taxpayers are willing to support," Dale Jeremiah said.

Next steps: Comments were recorded for the official public record; neither proposal required immediate council action. The pavilion item was cited later during the fiscal discussion as part of the parks/rec funding context; Vega said he planned outreach through June and would pursue Sound Transit approval for any platform-based pilot.