LYNNWOOD—Born and raised Lynnwood resident, Bryce Owings, Lynnwood City Council candidate challenging incumbent Josh Binda, has literally helped build the City of Lynnwood over the years from his working in construction of Spruce Elementary; to the Lynnwood Link light rail extension; to the Edmonds College expansion.
Now, as a husband and father of three, he is running for Lynnwood City Council to ensure the city he knows and loves continues to be a safe, affordable, and accessible place for all families.
Owings has lived in Lynnwood his entire life. He graduated from Mountlake Terrace High School, grew up in a house on the border of unincorporated Lynnwood, and got his first apartment right across from Edmonds College. When he was younger, he even volunteered with the Lynnwood Parks, Recreation and Cultural Department.
“I love Lynnwood. I’ve always loved it here. I think it’s a beautiful city. I do see some changes; some I like and others I worry about. I just want to see if I can redirect [the city] in a way that’s positive for all families,” said Owings.
As a working man, Owings is a union carpenter by trade. His first job was working in construction at the age of 16 and he has worked his way up to a union position since. Separate to helping build several projects in Lynnwood proper, Owings assisted in the construction of the 555 Tower in Bellevue, the expansion of the Bothell-Everett Highway, and the Swedish Hospital in First Hill, Seattle.
Out of all the projects Owings has helped build, the Lynnwood light rail is his pride and joy. Not only is it one of Lynnwood’s biggest projects in its history, but it is one that he and his family use frequently. As a matter of fact, he took the light rail down to Seattle while helping build the Swedish Hospital, he told the Lynnwood Times.
Owings also wants to attract more homeowners to the Lynnwood. He wants to create a balance of developments, equalizing single-family installments with condos and apartment buildings. He plans to do this through zoning, allowing for more diversity in buildings that allow for neighborhoods specifically designated for single-family homes, and even work on legislation to bring back condos in the downtown core – instead of only apartments.
By attracting more homeownership opportunities in the city, Owings believes residents will care more about their city in general.
“Once you own property you tend to care a little bit more about the area you’re living in,” said Owings.
Another issue Owings wants to focus on is homelessness, substance abuse, and the mental health crises. Owings himself has lived experience with homelessness and former substance abuse, that he feels he can bring those lessons learned to the dais to shore up mental health programs and substance abuse treatment.
Owings spent 10 years suffering from substance abuse and, from that, eventual homelessness. He remembers even sleeping at the Lynnwood Park-and-Ride when he was at his lowest. He finally sought treatment through a program in Burien. What began as a six-month program eventually became a voluntary, two-year program with Owings becoming the Men’s Director by the end of it helping others to live a life of recovery and prosperity.
“It gave me purpose in my life and a hope for my future. From my lived experience it’s more than just getting someone clean and sober, you must network them with existing programs while also giving them hope for the future,” said Owings.
Owings is now eight years sober and is now committed to helping and inspiring others find a pathway to sobriety, drawing on his own experiences and sharing what worked for him.
Owings believes in partnering with the Union Gospel Mission and Salvation Army to build trust with community members suffering from housing insecurity or substance use/mental health disorders.
As far as economic development, Owings hopes to incentivize community labor agreements and local priority hire to get more Lynnwood residents working more Lynnwood-focused jobs – in addition to ensuring that wages match the job classifications for honest day’s pay to an honest day’s work.
“I believe that how we can get more money here in Lynnwood is getting more money in the hands of the residents, so they’ll spend it here in Lynnwood,” said Owings. “Then hopefully utilize that to fund more parks, and green spaces, and making sure our Parks and Rec Department is well funded so they can take care of the parks.”
If elected, Owings pledges to maintain government transparency and open communication with his constituents to ensure their values are best represented.
“I want to be an open book. I want to create an atmosphere where they can approach me and talk to me about anything, hopefully not just myself but anyone serving on council,” said Owings. “And hopefully we can tackle any issue before it actually becomes an issue.”
Owings’ favorite thing about Lynnwood are the parks, which he and his family frequent often. He also loves shopping at the Alderwood Mall.
Owings believes he will earn the vote of Lynnwood residents because he’s a “fresh mind,” that will bring a “fresh perspective” to the various concerns of residents in the city. As a family man with Lynnwood roots, he wants Lynnwood to be the place where kids can be kids, where they can grow up to be proud of their city.
He currently has the endorsements of Washington State Senator John Lovick, State Representative Lauren Davis, Snohomish County PUD Commissioner and former Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Altamirano-Crosby, Former Lynnwood City Council President Shannon Sessions, and many others.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
One Response
Thank you for coming to visit today. I will promise to pray for you and may the Lord bless you.
The King’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turns it wherever he will.
Proverbs 21:1.
Each and every day without fail – seek the Lord first – He will lead you and you will have
the only workable solutions.