Surplus Army Reserve center in Everett may become 60-bed shelter

Published 11:00 pm Tuesday, September 8, 2009

EVERETT — The last thing the people at Domestic Violence Services want to do is turn someone away.

Not after someone finally had the courage to leave. Not when it means the only place left is to go back to a violent home.

With only one domestic violence shelter with 15 beds in Snohomish County, that’s what frequently happens, said Vicci Hilty, deputy director for the nonprofit.

That may change with a decision tonight.

The Everett City Council is considering approving a plan to transfer a small piece of Department of Defense land in a north Everett neighborhood to Domestic Violence Services. The U.S. Army reserve center on Rainier Avenue would be turned into a 60-bed emergency shelter for domestic violence victims.

Before the City Council makes a decision, a public hearing is scheduled at tonight’s 6:30 meeting at 3002 Wetmore Ave.

The federal government decided to surplus the Oswald Army Reserve Center two years ago. The 3-acre property has four 1960s-era buildings, including a gymnasium and an office.

“The glorious thing is those buildings are in wonderful shape,” Hilty said.

The Department of Defense plans to build a new, larger center in Marysville.

Domestic Violence Services wants to move its administrative office to the site and renovate the gymnasium into a two-story shelter, Hilty said.

The organization also proposes working with the Everett Housing Authority to build 20 units of transitional housing for people leaving the emergency shelter. The entire site would be a secure compound, Hilty said.

The Army would remain until 2011 and then the organization would take over and begin renovations. The shelter could open its doors in 2012.

Domestic Violence Services had planned to spend as much as $11 million on a new shelter, Hilty said. The property would be free and that would save the organization an estimated $6 million. With fundraising and grants, the organization now hopes to spend $1.5 million on the project.

The federal government requires a local agency take over the planning. The city of Everett stepped up because it wanted to have some say over how the property would be used, said Allan Giffen, Everett’s director of planning and community development.

However, federal law required the city to give organizations that house the homeless priority. The land can also be used for economic development or for public benefit such as a park, library, fire station or school.

The center is near Hawthorne Elementary School and the city initially had some concerns about locating a shelter nearby.

Everett School District officials, however, told the city that Hawthorne is one of the elementary schools best equipped to handle children staying at the shelter, Giffen said.

New subsidized housing isn’t allowed in this area. So the plan, even if approved, is contingent on the City Council also eventually approving that change.

“We are just so excited about this opportunity,” Hilty said. “It’s such a blessing. We are still pinching ourselves.”

Debra Smith: 425-339-3197, dsmith@heraldnet.com.