The Collins Building - an update

July 29, 10:49 AMSnohomish County Progressive ExaminerChad Shue

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Last month I wrote about the historic Collins Building and the battle between the Everett Port Commission and the Everett Historical Society - at the time, the Port was winning.

"On Tuesday [June 16]; by a 2-1 vote, the commissioners for the Port of Everett voted to demolish an icon of that city's timber industry past to make way for a parking lot boat yard*. The vote is a major blow in a battle that has been raging for at least 2 years since the Port approved plans for a major renovation of the Everett Marina. This despite the fact that the developer hired by the port to build the $400 Million waterfront project, Everett Maritime, filed for bankruptcy in May leaving the entire Marina Project in limbo."

One detail that I left out of my original post is that Port Commissioner Phil Bannon; one of the two commissioners to vote in favor of demolition, is retiring this year at the end of his term. Another item that did not become known until after I published my piece is the resignation of Port Commissioner, Connie Niva. It seems Niva has purchased a new home that is "just outside" her commission district; thus disqualifying her from continuing to serve. Niva was the 2nd vote for demolition of the historic structure.

After the disappointing vote by the Port Commission the venue changed to the Everett City Council chambers where, on June 24th, Councilman (and Port Commission candidate) Mark Olson moved a resolution to request the demolition permit for the Collins Building not be issued by the Planning Director until such time as he reports back to the full council with respect to his review of the pertinent comprehensive plan amendments in the city and other actions and policies of the city with respect to issuance of these permits for historically protected buildings. The resolution was passed by a majority of the council members present. However, without any additional reports or meetings of the council, City of Everett Planning Director Alan Giffen issued the demolition permit at 3:30pm Friday afternoon. According to reports, at the July 1st meeting of the city council there was an "animated exchange" between Mayor Ray Stephanson and Councilman Olson over the introduction of Olson's resolution to delay the issuance of the demolition permit; with the Mayor and Councilman Paul Roberts (neither were present at the original vote on Olson's resolution) contending that it was not proper for the city to intervene in the business of the Port.

Historical Society President, Valerie Steele, updates things from there on the society's website:

"JULY 24, 2009 - This morning, Judge McKeeman of the Snohomish County Superior Court issued a temporary injunction that will prohibit the Port of Everett from demolishing the Collins Building until the Dispute Resolution process through the Army Corps of Engineers has run its full course. So far, the Port has not responded to The Corps relevant points:

1. The 2005 costs were prepared without an "historic restoration version" of schematics and costs and/or actual site conditions and contain questionable hard costs (over $2 million) and design elements which throw the appropriateness of the overall cost estimates into question.

2. Aren't construction bids coming in less than in 2005?  And why didn't the Port take into consideration Federal Tax credits and other incentives for National Register properties?

3. Couldn't the Port look at using the Collins Building as a tourist related facility which is a function ports are allowed under the law?

We will be advancing to the Federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, but we don't have a date at this time, so stay tuned for updates."

The Historical Society has retained the services of acclaimed land-use attorney, David Bricklin (Bricklin*Newman, LLP). Bricklin has been successful in arguing many cases involving land use and the Growth Management Act. he is a founding member and board member of Futurewise; a leading land use advocacy organization in the state.

For a glimpse of what "might be" in the future for the Collins Building, I recommend a look at the artist renditions at the Collins Building Redevelopment website.

Peace,
Chad Shue