POLL: How's the Shoreline City Council Doing on Economic Development and Jobs?

After some upheaval in the Shoreline City Council in the mid-2000s, including the firing of a city manager, public spats and lawsuits, the last few years have seen a more collegial atmosphere in Shoreline City Hall.

The Council seems to pass ordinances and make decisions without too much rancor these and the disagreements have been minor, although sometimes the discussions seem to meander all over place. Still, things get done. The Council passed the Town Center Subarea Plan, which was needed and won an award from Governer Chris Gregoire. The medical marijuana regulations the city passed were reasonable and demonstrated a willingness to get something done on a challenging issue, an issue that the state, the federal government have given confusing direction on, while many cities have punted or failed to reach a compromise on or banned collective gardens outright.

So what's next? Most citizens of Shoreline want more economic development in the city, according to city surveys. The degree of development is debatable, but its part of the City Council's goals and the planning department and economic development director Dan Eernissee are lending their expertise to bring significant projects to fruition.

The 2010 census showed no growth in Shoreline's population in the last 10 years, although it is becoming slightly more racially and ethnically diverse. Meanwhile, Shoreline School District enrollment is declining, according to spokesman Craig Degginger, "the district ended the 2011-12 school year with 8,650 students and we project a decrease of approximately 125 students for 2012-13. Enrollment in Shoreline peaked about 40 years ago and has declined slightly each year since about 1997."

State Rep. Cindy Ryu (D-32nd District) who owns a strip mall on Aurora, said in an interview with Patch it's been a struggle to keep tenants and last year for the first time she didn't report any net income on her property.

Does Shoreline need to do something more about its stagnant population and the empty storefronts as well as its declining school-age population or do residents want to limit growth? Can the city staff and Council, as well as residents, do more to attract projects to the city or has it been a tough market to develop? And if so, why is that? Development is often controversial here, as it is anywhere, but business and the economy continues to struggle and could use a shot in the arm. 

From Point Wells, to what will go up around the possibly two new Light Rail stations in Shoreline as part of the Lynnwood Link Extension, to Town Center, the City Council has some decisions to make. And people are watching or should be especially the younger generations.

So how would you rate the Council and what kind of leadership do you expect them to show?

Mayor Keith McGlashan is the most senior member of the body, elected first in 2005. Doris McConnell and Chris Eggen were elected in 2007 and re-elected last November. Will Hall, Shari Winstead and Chris Roberts were all elected for the first time in 2009. Newcomer Jesse Salomon came from behind to win a tight race last November.

Councilmembers say they support economic development—are they in fact stepping up to the plate? Or are you against growth? 

Tell us in the comments and vote in our poll.