The Lynnwood Chamber of Commerce presented a plan to the City Council on Nov. 3 to establish a farmers market at Lynnwood City Center Station and asked the city to provide a refundable $5,000 security deposit to Sound Transit to secure the site.

Frank Percival, president and CEO of the chamber, said Sound Transit has offered to provide site access at no charge in exchange for sponsor recognition and to provide discounted advertising on trains and at stations. Percival described a negotiated arrangement in which Sound Transit would be listed as a sponsor, the city would provide a refundable $5,000 security deposit to secure the site, and an experienced market manager would run day‑to‑day operations funded primarily by vendor rents.

"Sound Transit has expressed an interest in partnering with the city of Lynnwood on this plan as a sponsor," Percival said, adding that the chamber had begun vendor outreach and believes vendor interest remains high after the August light‑rail grand‑opening event. He urged the council to approve an immediate allocation of a $5,000 refundable security deposit so planning can start and an April 2026 launch remains possible.

Council members expressed broad support for the idea, praising the transit access and tourism potential and noting the market could bring steady foot traffic to the city center. Several members—while supportive—raised operational questions including insurance, security and janitorial responsibilities, liability, parking on weekends, and what level of city staff oversight would be required. Percival and Council President Nick Coelho said the intention is for a professional market manager to secure vendor rents, liability insurance and handle daily operations so city staff impact would be limited.

Coelho asked whether the city would be willing to use voluntary council budget reductions to provide the $5,000 refundable deposit; he said staff would seek paperwork from Sound Transit and return the proposal for an action item at the next council meeting. No formal council action or expenditure was approved at the work session.

What happens next: Staff and the chamber will pursue additional documentation from Sound Transit, seek formal agreements and identify a market manager; councilmembers asked staff to place the refundable $5,000 deposit request on the next meeting agenda for possible allocation.