In January 2021, the city celebrated a ribbon cutting event for the grand opening of Van Ry Boulevard, the new public roadway connecting 244th Street SW and 236th Street SW through the Freeway/Tourist District adjacent to I-5. The new road runs from Gateway Place Business Park through the new Terrace Station mixed-use development and ends at 236th Street where the future light rail station will be located.
Willem "Will" Van Ry served the city from 1974-2014 in the engineering department, retiring as Engineering Services Director. He oversaw many capital projects during his tenure and helped to plan many of the more recent projects that are now coming to fruition. City of Mountlake Terrace and Edmonds School District staff discussed the possibility of creating a new roadway in the area when the decision was made to close the former Evergreen Elementary School in 2009.
Subsequently, after Edmonds School District sold the property, planning began on a new mixed-use, transit-oriented private development (now called Terrace Station) and a new roadway was a part of the project. When it was learned that Van Ry would be retiring, the City Council enthusiastically took action to rename the street "Van Ry Boulevard" in honor of his dedicated public service. To view a video of the virtual ribbon cutting event that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, please click here.