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CONTACT SCBJ John Wolcott, Editor jwolcott@scbj.com Dave Clark, Assistant Editor dclark@scbj.com

Business Briefs - July 2008

Tulalip Casino Resort Hotel opens its doors for new era

More than 1,000 tribal members attended a June 18 ribbon-cutting and gala opening of the new 12-story Tulalip Casino Resort hotel. Tribal elders were welcomed by the hotel staff, with a red-carpet treatment and shared dinner together before other members arrived for a 6 p.m. ceremony.

The hotel has 370 luxury rooms, a number of suites and a top floor penthouse, plus new restaurants, an enclosed pool with a landscape reception area, plus one of the region¿s largest convention centers.

After the ¿soft¿ opening, to get staff, equipment and hospitality services operating smoothly, the official full operation date will be Aug. 15.

The $130 million hotel and conference center are next to the tribes¿ huge casino. Together, the two facilities make the resort a destination attraction for people regionally and around the world.

Within the hotel is $1 million worth of tribal artwork, three tall story poles, rich red carpets and a sprawling lobby. The convention center also features a day spa that is expected to be a major attraction for visitors.

Nearby in Quil Ceda Village is the Seattle Premium Outlet Mall, with 100 stores, and the Tulalip Amphitheater for summer musical entertainment shows.

Quil Ceda Village already attracts travelers from up and down the I-5 corridor, including Canada, with its gambling and shopping options. Now, with the hotel opened, the Tulalips have a unique luxury facility that is the largest hotel in the county and highly competitve with other regional lodging.

Already, the hotel is set to be the official host of about 300 Skate America participants and officials when that pre-Olympics event comes in October to the Comcast Arena in Everett.

Sandy Ward, marketing director at the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour in Mukilteo, said she¿s been working with the Tulalip Tribes about joint promotions between the hotel and the Future of Flight, which is Snohomish County¿s single-largest tourist attraction.

If the hotel fills up consistently, there already are plans for adding a second hotel tower.


Port of Everett revises south terminal expansion

The Port of Everett¿s plans for a major expansion of its south terminal have been scaled down to a more modest facility for handling container cargo ships. The changes came in part from protests by neighbors about fears of noise and other activities at the site but also because a new port study has found that the growth at other Puget Sound ports has taken away much of the anticipated market. Now, the port plans to develop a niche container port for the shipping industry, as well as becoming a center for break-bulk cargo.

The new plan would still develop the South Terminal, but only after the port¿s existing terminals become inadequate to handle the demand.

At that time, the port would demolish the existing wharf and install a new one to handle Panamax vessels that are up to 900 feet long and require more water depth, up to 45 feet at minimum tides.

Port director John Mohr said the development of the redevelopment of the south terminal would cost about $100 million and would have to be done as a joint venture with a private partner who puts up most of the money.


Group Health ranked highest in satisfaction

J.D. Power and Associates, in a new national survey of health plans, has ranked Group Health highest for member satisfaction in the Northwest. It also noted that Group Health scored second highest in the nation in the survey. According to the architects of the study, member communication was found to play a key role.

The study measured member satisfaction for 107 health plans in 17 regions throughout the U.S. by examining seven key factors: coverage and benefits; choice of doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies; information and communications; approval processes; claims processing; Insurance statements; and customer service.

Group Health scored 778 on a 1,000 point scale to place second in the nation. Other Northwest plans rated include: Premera Blue Cross, 765; Providence Health Plan, 733; Regence Blue Shield, 738; Kaiser Health Plan, 732; and Blue Cross of Idaho, 695.


Quality Inn & Suites renovated; new owners

Kyung Kyu and Minja Kim bought the Quality Inn & Suites at 101 128th St. SE in south Everett last August and renovated the facility with business travelers in mind, said Virginia Sprague, who was appointed general manager last May.

More information on Quality Inn & Suites is available at www.hoteleverett.com.


Nastech Pharmaceutical now known as mdRNAi

Shifting its focus to exploring new virus-fighting drugs in the emerging field of RNA interference, Nastech Pharmaceutical in Bothell has changed its name and direction, according to the company¿s new chief executive officer, J. Michael French. He said RNA interferences represent a significant new field for research.

Before, the firm was focused on developing nasal -pray medications. RNA interference is a cellular mechanism that can halt proteins vital to growing viruses in human bodies.

French replaces Steven Quay, who took over Nastech in 2000 and later moved its corporate headquarters from New York to Bothell. Quay will be mdRNA¿s chief scientific officer and remain as chairman of the board of directors.

French comes from Sirna Therapeutics, an RNAi company that made a splash on Wall Street when it garnered $1.1 billion in a buyout deal from Merck & Co in 2007.

Researchers and investors both see RNAi¿s potential in the development of cutting-edge treatments for a range of conditions, including cancer. Nastech jumps into a widening pool of competitors in the field, including Merck with its Sirna unit and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, which recently signed a lucrative development deal.

French said he¿s confident that new therapies based on RNAi technology could come sooner than most people think, judging by industry interest and swift progression of the technology. He referred to researchers Craig Mello and Andrew Fire, whose shared Nobel Prize for medicine in 2006 came just eight years after their scientific discovery.

The new company will have about 80 employees, down from 230 last year. With more than 260 patents related to RNAi technology, mdRNA will focus on programs to treat flu and rheumatoid arthritis. As for the nasal delivery technology, which was focused on developing treatments for obesity, diabetes and osteoporosis, that business unit may be sold.


John L. Scott Real Estate ranks 8th for productivity

J. Lennox Scott, chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate, announced that the company his grandfather founded 77 years ago has been ranked the eighth most productive real estate company in the nation on two national surveys.

The rankings were issued by REAL Trends and RIS Media, both national real estate news and information sources.

The annual ¿REAL Trends 500¿ incorporates 12 individual reports that rank the largest residential real estate firms in the nation based on varying sales criteria and company data. Within this report, John L. Scott Real Estate was also ranked the fourth most productive regional real estate company in the nation.

RIS Media ranks the nation¿s top 100 independent real estate firms by sales volume and closed transactions. Both surveys are considered the most trusted standard of measuring the performance of the national leading real estate firms.


Roy Robinson Chevrolet expands RV sales site

Roy Robinson Chevrolet, Subaru and Motorhome Center, adjacent to I-5 in Marysville has made its first major expansion in, over 20 years by moving its growing RV and motorhome sales facility across the street from the auto dealership.

The move expanded the RV display and sales ares from 9 to more than 14 acres. The businesses RV sales department recently received national recognition from Winnebago Industries for its sales and service


Whidbey Island Bank ends Frontier Bank merger plans

Washington Banking Co., the holding company for Whidbey Island Bank, decided in early June to end its pending agreement for a merger with Frontier Bank of Everett, an agreement worked on since last September.

Michal Cann, president and CEO, said the bank¿s directors terminated the agreement because of delays in federal certification and approval. The bank will re-examine its planning strategies.


KeyBank revitalizes its Lynnwood branch

William Yu has been named manager of KeyBank¿s recently upgraded branch in Lynnwood at 4401 168th Street S.W. Yu, with more than 10 years in banking, is a graduate of the University of Washington and active in the South Snohomish Chamber of Commerce.

The branch modernization is part of a multi-year, nationwide program during which two-thirds of Key¿s 950 branches will be refurbished or completely remodeled.

Technology upgrades and other features are meant to enhance the overall banking experience for clients. Key will build 18 new branches and update 45 over the next three-to-five years in its Seattle-Cascades district.

New features include a complete remodel inside and outside, a new teller line, community wall with a medallion seal inlaid in the floor to welcome customers and four flat-screen TVs in a new waiting area with a coffee cart.

Yu said the bank¿s investment is symbolic of its commitment to Lynnwood and other communities in south Snohomish County.


More parking coming for Everett Station commuters

Sound Transit has begun work on its $13.6 million Everett Station expansion project, which will add more than 500 new parking spaces, pedestrian access and a new pedestrian plaza. The main contractor is Granite Construction, formerly Wilder Construction.

Everett Station is a multi-modal transit hub that serves Sounder commuter rail, ST Express buses, Community Transit, Everett Transit, and other transit providers. Partners in the project include the Federal Transit Administration, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, the city of Everett, and Everett Transit.

During the first quarter of 2008, ridership on Sound Transit increased 28 percent compared with the same period one year ago. The agency expects to add a fourth round-trip train in the north corridor between Everett and Seattle this fall.


Verizon Wireless to acquire Alltel to expand national network

The $28.1 billion acquisition of the Little Rock, Ark.-based Alltel Corp. wireless network by Verizon Wireless, Bellevue, includes a $5.9 billion cash agreement to acquire the firm¿s equity. The remainder of the $28.1 billion is based on Alltel¿s projected net debt totaling $22.2 billion.

The parties are targeting completion of the merger by the end of the year, subject to obtaining regulatory approvals. At that time, customers of both companies will have access to an expanded range of products and services, including an expanded array of basic and advanced cell phones and a broader in-network calling community.


EvCC aviation students visit England in exchange program

Jin Kyu Suh and Elliot Taylor traveled to London, England, in June for an international aviation exchange funded by the Royal Air Force Foundation. As part of the first phase of the program, two students from England visited Everett in February.

In coordination with the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour facility at Paine Field, the exchange program is designed to further international connections for students who will be working in a global environment in their future careers, said Bill Loomis, director of the college¿s aviation maintenance center.

Loomis credited Barry Smith, executive director of the Future of Flight and a founding member of the Royal Air Force Foundation, with spearheading the exchange. This year marks the 40th anniversary of EvCC¿s Aviation Maintenance Technology School.


Noble Palace! opens in Everett with Asian meals and decor

Steve Chen, a successful restaurateur for many years in Marysville, has extended his business to Everett with the opening of Noble Palace! on north Broadway to introduce tasteful and unique Pan-Asian dishes, such as Malaysian-style grilled chicken and beef, and coconut curry beef and prawns. The restaurant also serves traditional Chinese cuisine.


Tall Taurus Media wins national communication excellence award

Tall Taurus Media, an Everett multimedia firm, has received a 2008 Communicator Award for producing a SportsArt Fitness promotional video, the fourth award that project has earned for. The other three included the AVA Achievement Award, Accolade Award of Excellence and the Aegis Winner Award. Tall Taurus has been producing video campaigns for the exercise equipment manufacturer since 2006.

With over 9,000 entries from across the U.S. and around the world, the Communicator Awards is the largest and most competitive awards program honoring the creative excellence for communications professionals.


South county chamber honors local businesses, organizations

The South Snohomish County Chamber¿s 2008 Business Excellence awards, presented in June, honored Snohomish County companies and organizations that incorporate the highest ideals of the local business community, including HomeStreet Bank, Comcast, Community Transit, Community Health Center of Snohomish County, Western Type & Print, and Elle Marie Hair Studio.


Educational Community CU merges with MountainCrest CU

Educational Community Credit Union in Everett has merged with MountainCrest Credit Union, formerly the Snohomish County PUD Credit Union.

Mark Morrison, president and CEO of Educational Community Credit Union, said both credit unions have financial strength and progressive board leadership, dynamic management and a dedicated staff.

Joining forces will increase the growth of the MountainCrest Credit Union in a highly competitive financial marketplace, he said. Under the MountainCrest Credit Union banner, Educational Community Credit Union¿s Silver Lake branch has relocated to the former PUD Credit Union facility at 1328 Broadway. Bob Schumacher, president and CEO of MountainCrest Credit Union, said the merger strengthens the credit union philosophy of providing trust and service to its membership, staff and community. The credit union has four branches, in Everett, Monroe, Marysville and Arlington.


Cascadia Community College expands at its Bothell campus

Cascadia Community College has begun its first expansion project, a $35 million, 54,000-square-foot Center for Global Learning and the Arts, with state-of-the-art classrooms, faculty offices, a performing arts theater, two art studios and more. As well as being a new resource for students and faculty, the new building will allow Cascadia to expand by an additional 800 students, open up further learning opportunities and increase its positive economic impact on the community. Due for completion by December 2009, the center will be ready for us by the winter quarter of 2010.


Washington Research Council study finds high per capita taxes

Washington ranks 18th highest in state and local taxes per capita, according to a new study by the Washington Research Council. Estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau show that Washington¿s state and local governments collected $3,948 per capita in Fiscal Year 2005¿06, equal to $111.99 for each $1,000 in state personal income. To read the complete brief, visit the council¿s Web site at www.researchcouncil.org under recent publications.


WineStyles opens in Marysville, part of largest wine franchise

WineStyles, recently opened in Marysville, is the latest of five stores in Washington state. Nationally, the franchise has just opened its 100th store, less than four years since it was launched.

WineStyles is designed like an old-world wine cellar, with wine organized by color and style, instead of varietals and region with a description listing the wine¿s characteristics, flavors and suggested food pairings to simplify the shopping experience.

The store carries everything from unique labels, many of them exclusive to WineStyles, to hard-to-find wines from small and large vineyards from around the world. Yet, most of the wines are $25 or less. WineStyles employees are available to answer questions.

Owners of the WineStyles store at 6608 64th Street NE, Suite A in Marysville are Eric and Vicki Emery. The growing WineStyles enterprise was named the sixth best new franchise in 2007 by Entrepreneur magazine in its annual ¿Franchise 500¿ issue.


Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Everett store remodeled

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, the leading fabric and craft specialty retailer in America, has remodeled its 19,000-square-foot Everett store in the Cascade Plaza at 7601 Evergreen Way.

In addition to a wide selection of fabrics for apparel, crafting, quilting, and home decorating, the new store decor features an expanded assortment of crafting, floral, and seasonal products, and finished home-décor items, brighter lighting and a new layout.


Community Transit orders 23 double-decker buses

After using its first double-decker bus successfully for many months, Community Transit has ordered 23 more of the popular commuter vehicles for its daily trips to Seattle and back.

Last August, Community Transit became the second transit agency in the nation to put a modern double-decker bus into regular service. The agency has received media calls from across the country about its Double-Tall, the name Community Transit chose for the bus, and a Web site in Hong Kong features about 20 photos of the CT vehicle.

Aside from the broader views on The Double Tall¿s second floor, it can hold more passengers than a 60-foot bus while taking up less road space and at CT¿s parking areas. Joyce Eleanor, executive director for Community Transit, said the bus performs well in all weather conditions and has generated more compliments than she¿s ever received about an agency¿s vehicles during her 30 years in the transit industry.


Harmsen & Associates merges with Fakkema & Kingma

Harmsen & Associates Inc. of Monroe has merged with Fakkema & Kingma, Inc. of Oak Harbor to combine their engineering and surveying services for clients throughout the Puget Sound region.

Their clients include both the public and private sectors, including their current federal, county, municipal, private developer, builder, and individual clients.

Harmsen & Associates will add its civil engineering, land use planning, and landscape architecture services to Fakkema & Kingma¿s existing surveying expertise. Harmsen & Associates Inc. is now a 60-person civil engineering, land surveying, landscape architecture, and land use planning firm with offices in Monroe and Oak Harbor.

Fakkema & Kingma will continue doing business under their existing name, operating from their Oak Harbor office on Whidbey Island.