UW North site announced, Shin reminds public to remember ‘it’s about the students’

OLYMPIA – The Legislature this year appropriated funds to identify where best to locate a University of Washington branch campus in the Snohomish-Island-Skagit County Region. The architectural firm of NBBJ was retained by the state Office of Financial Management to conduct the study. Its report, delivered today to members of the Legislature and Gov. Gregoire, announced Pacific Station in Everett as the preferred home to a new University of Washington campus — UW North. The site beat out another location in Everett and one each in Lake Stevens and Marysville, although the study team declared all four sites viable candidates.

Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, said he is pleased the branch campus proposal is moving forward.

“I appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in the selection process,” Shin said. “This is the beginning of the next phase of dialogue, and we need to continue to move forward. The community now must unite around our common goal of bringing a four-year college to our area.”

Before narrowing the potential sites down to four, more than 750 people attended six town hall meetings in Snohomish, Island and Skagit counties to discuss the site proposals. Shin hopes the public keeps the students in mind.

“Ultimately, this is all about the students. We need to remember that above all else. The process was fair,” he said. “It is important that maintain the momentum.”

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