Reimagining a Historic Gateway through Snohomish

Second Street has long served as a vital east-west connector through the heart of Snohomish, linking State Route 9 and U.S. Highway 2. Once a state highway, it now carries one of the highest volumes of daily traffic in the city, averaging 17,000 vehicles a day. The objective of the Second Street Master Plan is to enhance safety, accessibility, and the overall experience for all who travel through this corridor.

Project Goals

• Enhance Pedestrian Safety: Improvements include new sidewalks, bulb-outs, crosswalks, lighting, and signage to make walking safer and more inviting.
• Calm Traffic and Improve Flow: Traffic-calming features and reconfigured intersections will[NH1]  reduce speeding.
• Support Multimodal Access: The corridor will better accommodate bicycles, transit, and pedestrians, encouraging more sustainable transportation options.
• Reflect Snohomish’s Historic Character: Streetscape elements such as street trees, benches, and lighting will be designed to complement the city’s historic charm.
• Improve Parking and Accessibility: Redesigned parking, including back-in angled spaces and designated accessibility areas, will make downtown more accessible for all.

Project Area

The project spans Second Street from Avenue J to Lincoln Avenue (see images below), encompassing key districts including:

• Historic Downtown
• Pilchuck District
• Centennial Trail Connection

Community Engagement

The project was shaped by extensive public input, including:

• Online surveys and two community open houses
• Presentations to multiple city boards and commissions
• Direct outreach to businesses, schools, and agencies
• Feedback from the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association

Survey and stakeholder feedback emphasized the need for:

• Safer pedestrian crossings
• Improved lighting and aesthetics
• Better parking and access
• Traffic calming measures

Design and Funding

• Design Status: 90% design completed in 2020
• Estimated Construction Cost: Approximately $12.3 million
• Funding:
  1. $323,000 grant from WSDOT Pedestrian and Bicycle Program
  2. $2,000 City match from Real Estate Excise Tax (REET)
  3. Future funding will rely on multiple grants and possibly traffic impact fees

Due to the scale and cost, construction will be phased, which may increase costs but reduce disruption to local businesses.

Timeline

Once the First Street Master Plan is complete, the City will revisit the Second Street Corridor Master Plan, bringing the designs to 100%. The two plans will be integrated to ensure they complement one another and create a seamless, cohesive streetscape that enhances the community.

Milestones

Mid-1980s
 Second Street ceases to be a state highway following the construction of U.S. Highway 2.

2017

• City applies for and is awarded a $323,000 WSDOT Pedestrian and Bicycle Grant.
• City contributes a $2,000 match from Real Estate Excise Tax (REET).
• Consultant selection process begins.

January 2018

• MacLeod Reckord is selected and contracted to lead design and planning.

2018

Community engagement begins:

• Two town hall meetings
• Presentations to City Council, Planning Commission, and other boards
• Survey launched
• Outreach to schools, fire district, Sound Transit, and local businesses

2019

• Continued outreach by Mayor and staff to business owners and community groups

2020

• 90% design completed, including specifications, cost estimates, and environmental documentation
• City Council reviews and approves the Second Street Corridor Master Plan