EVERETT, Wash. — A proposal to run dozens of electrical lines through a north Everett neighborhood has people in a bit of a power struggle.
One of those involved is Jeff Kelly. As he walks through the streets of his Delta District neighborhood, Kelly worries about the future.
"I foresee less beauty," he said. "Fewer trees. Less greenery. It's another example of not putting people first."
Snohomish County's Public Utility District is planning to build new power lines to meet growing demand. The need tallies 45 to 65 poles, each up to 95-feet tall.
Of the four routes under consideration, all run through the city's Delta or Riverside communities.
People are concerned the size of the project would mean losing land in their yards, and toppling trees that in some cases include children's tree forts in the working class neighborhood.
"People here are working a lot of hours," said Kelly. "They don't have time to go to the park. But they do have time to go to the front yard and play catch or just spend time with their children. It means a lot."
The PUD needs to run transmission lines from its Everett substation to the Delta substation. Engineers believe the neighborhood routes are the most direct and cost effective.
PUD spokesman Aaron Swaney said neighborhood concerns are being listened to.
"We're really early in the process," Swaney said. "Getting that feedback from customers right now is critical to helping us design that preferred route. We want to be very transparent in the process. That's why we started the process as early as we did."
Neighbors think a better route would be to run the lines down heavily traveled Broadway which would have far less impact on families.
There is also the issue of demographics. Census data shows the Delta neighborhood is far less affluent than other parts of the city. The Delta neighborhood is a blue collar community where more than half of the households bring in less than $100,000 a year.
Neighbors say people don't have the time to go to community meetings or talk with local representatives.
They fear that could mean lights out for their quality of life.
"The people of Riverside and Delta will just have to make the best of a bad situation, which unfortunately has become all too familiar," said Kelly.
A decision on the preferred route is expected this spring. The PUD said it will then listen to more input from neighbors before making a final decision.
The lines are expected to be installed in 2027.