Published March 2002

Port endorses plan
to redevelop north marina

By Mike Benbow
Herald Business Editor

Everett’s port commissioners on Feb. 12 endorsed a waterfront redevelopment plan that would cost some $200 million; dramatically increase public access to the waterfront, making it a destination spot; and provide about 2,500 ongoing jobs.

Plans call for redevelopment of what the port calls its north marina area adjacent to the 10th Street boat launch. The project, which would take about six years to complete, calls for:

• An expanded marina, dry boat storage area and boat repair area.
• About 1.5 miles of public walkways and bikeways, viewpoints and public plazas for concerts and other events. Parking also would be greatly expanded.
• Additional restaurants and retail shops.
• Some low-rise office buildings.
• Housing.
• Redevelopment of the public boat launch and park off 10th Street, with the addition of a child’s playground.

Commissioners were offered three variations of the development plan by private developer Maritime Trust and approved all three to keep their options open as the project winds it way through the permit processes of a variety of local, state and federal agencies.

Of the two commissioners present for a proposal presentation earlier in the month, neither Don Hopkins nor Jim Shaffer had questions or criticisms.

Shaffer’s main concern was that the staff of both the port and Maritime Trust had done sufficient homework to secure the required permits without major problems or delay.

“We’ve got a half a million plus into this right now,” he said of port funds. “We drew some pretty pictures. Now we’re going to start spending some dough. I just don’t want to get halfway through this and have something pop up.”

Shaffer was assured that city planners and elected officials were solidly behind the basic concept.

“We’ve gotten to the point with the city where I don’t think there will be any show stoppers,” port planner Graham Anderson said.

It likely will take 18 months for the various governments to review potential environmental problems and issue permits. The construction work isn’t expected to begin until the fall of 2003.

Shaffer told Maritime Trust officials the port’s chief concerns were not in the details, but rather the quality of the work, how various elements were timed and the return the port district will get for its money.

Consultant Paul Sorensen told the commissioners that the construction work itself should provide $35 million in payroll over the six years.

After completion, it should add about 2,500 jobs with an average salary of $44,000 a year, he said.

He said he couldn’t estimate how many jobs would be lost from businesses forced to relocate that either closed down or moved out of the area.

While the port has paid for initial development, it’s now in negotiations with Maritime Trust over who will pay the remaining costs. Most of the expenses are expected to come from private developers.

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