Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Reality Check

Good news, bad news on Japanese Gulch

You may have heard about the City receiving a $2 million grant for the Japanese Gulch Creek Daylighting & Estuary Project (JG Daylighting Project). Japanese Gulch Creek currently reaches Puget …

City is dismantling a decade-old waterfront plan

On Sept. 21 at 6 p.m., the City Council will hold the final public hearing on rezoning our Central Waterfront Park from Open Space to Waterfront Mixed Use, clearing the way for commercial development …

Ways to enjoy the ‘Island Time stress-free zone’

A few weeks ago Dana and I decided we were going to drive on the Mukilteo ferry and head over to Whidbey Island for the day with stops at the Bayview Farmers Market (Saturdays 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.), the …

City has put the cart before the horse

The future of Mukilteo’s waterfront has become complicated. Although our past direction was clear, the plan we thought was taking shape apparently isn’t the plan anymore. Even the temporary …

Pedestrians get a break on Mukilteo Lane

I’ve been struggling lately to identify any waterfront access or pedestrian safety improvements the City is actively pursuing this busy season, so I’m happy to report we finally have a winner. …

RIP Downtown Waterfront Master Plan

 Buried in the 195-page Planning Commission agenda packet for its June 18, 2026, meeting is something that should concern anyone who has followed the future of Mukilteo's waterfront over the …

WSDOT, City ignore pedestrian safety on waterfront

I’ve always been a glass half full person. But I don’t ignore the hole in the bottom of the glass. It’s kind of like the saying that for every one step forward we take two steps back. I …

Pedestrian safety at risk with proposed bridge design

Drivers who’ve spent months detouring around one of Mukilteo’s most frustrating bottlenecks are about to get a surprise — and it’s coming sooner than many expected.

The Central Waterfront Park exists

If you’ve taken a stroll lately on the waterfront toward the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal, you’ve likely passed the Mukilteo Central Waterfront Park (CWP). Instead of continuing to develop it as a …

Safety, other waterfront issues abound

Yes, I’m a bit behind on Reality Check. Not because there’s nothing to write about, but because – from a Reality Check perspective – it’s overwhelming. My goal here is to provide a quick …

City’s Old Town actions subpar

This time of year, I’m usually looking ahead to the busy season at Mukilteo’s waterfront and what we can expect. But first, “Happy 15th Birthday” to the “new” Rosehill Community Center. …

City’s Old Town actions subpar

Reality Check HED: City’s Old Town actions subpar By Kevin Stoltz This time of year, I’m usually looking ahead to the busy season at Mukilteo’s waterfront and what we can expect. …

Voluntary Nighttime Curfew at Paine is overdue

Many years ago, while serving as the Director of Flight Operations for an annual local aviation event, we experienced a tragic accident. A pilot was killed while attempting to depart and fly back …

No progress being made on waterfront

This month marks the five-year anniversary of the opening of the new Mukilteo ferry terminal. Five years ago, the City’s top waterfront priority was the Mukilteo waterfront promenade. Five years …

Waterfront development outlook is grim

Mukilteo’s waterfront area lost big in this election. The slim victory of incumbent Mayor Joe Marine – 159 votes – over Steve Schmalz means more of the same, but worse. Mukilteo …

#Italics# Mukilteo’s long-anticipated waterfront redevelopment took a giant step backward last week when the City Council voted 4-2 to authorize Mayor Joe Marine to take actions that will …

Interim safety solutions on waterfront needed

In November we’ll have elected three new councilmembers (two are not running for reelection and Steve Schmalz is running for mayor against incumbent Joe Marine). That turnover creates an …

Mukilteo residents deserve better

With summer 2025 drawing to a close, Mukilteo’s waterfront—and the City’s handling of it—deserves a serious Reality Check. From speed cameras to modified mufflers to parking …

PAE should implement Voluntary Nighttime Curfew

I’ve been a strong advocate of a Voluntary Nighttime Curfew (VNC) at Paine Field (PAE) for more years than I care to admit. Over the past year or so I’ve been trying very hard to …

Traffic cameras could use some improvements

After 18 months of watching a constantly moving target, Mukilteo’s new automated traffic cameras (aka ticket cameras) are live (I think) and busy issuing tickets. I’ll admit, as a …

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