Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, March 3, 2008 Mukilteo ready to build $8 million city hall By Scott Pesznecker Herald Writer MUKILTEO -- Choosing a site for Mukilteo's new city hall took 14 years. Preparing for construction happened considerably faster. This week, crews are expected to begin building the new city hall on the northwest corner of Harbour Pointe Boulevard and Cyrus Way. Construction is planned to be finished by early 2009. "I signed the contract and just said, 'yeah, finally,'" Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine said. For years, the city has rented space in an industrial warehouse for its headquarters. When finished, the new city hall building will feature a spacious council chamber, two floors of offices and environmentally friendly features such as a green roof with soil and plants. The building's $6.9 million price tag does not include sales tax or furnishings, Marine said. Include those, and the final price tag should be about $8 million -- right on target with the projected construction budget when the council decided to build at Harbour Pointe in October 2006. For years, council members and residents debated over where to build the new city hall. The council considered four other sites, including possible locations at 47th Place W. and next to Rosehill Community Center. Council members chose the Harbour Pointe Boulevard site as a compromise. The city paid $775,000 for the initial 1.13-acre site, and adjacent land has since been purchased to allow room for expanding the city hall. "As excited as we get about the location, once we sort it out and get it going, it's going to be a wonderful spot," City Council President Randy Lord said. "I think both sides are going to be pleased." Marine said he considers construction of the new city hall as one of his greatest accomplishments as an elected official. He credited city staff and council members for their work on the project. "We've asked staff to really work under some poor working conditions for far too long in what was supposed to be a temporary building," Marine said. "I've said it all along, I've wanted a city hall that not only the community can be proud of, but that employees can be proud to work in." Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.

1. Waves wash away Explosion's title hopes 2. You've got your pick of Fourth of July fun 3. Snohomish entrepreneur bounces back with new venture 4. Inslee downplays fears Boeing will send second 787 line elsewhere 5. Popular park changing hands 6. Deputies shoot armed man near Arlington 7. Why, governor? 8. Edmonds backs off red-light cameras 9. Vehicle that killed girl was Chevy Astro minivan 10. Arlington buys up more water rights 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Warriors looking for balance • Three Scots vying for QB slot • Jackson looks for another title • Decorated veteran continues to serve as active volunteer • City Council reviewing sign regulations • Wildcats get a peek at newcomers • Lynnwood still in rebuilding mode • Shoreline feels a kindergarten growth spurt • Leave the patriotic pyrotechnics to professionals, cities urge • Trading dollars for kilowatts New PUD energy conservation programs save ... • By John Wolcott SCBJ Editor • Record crowd at Paine Field’s General Aviation Day as FHC Celebrate ... • Celebration of aviation's history and future presented in multiple venue ... • The time is ripe for small businesses to take no prisoners • EPA proposal to regulate global-warming gases would be costly for small ... • Innovation helps the town of Forks to offset tough economy • Powering the people