Everett couple’s gift of historic building will endure

Published 2:19 pm Wednesday, April 21, 2010

EVERETT — Ed and Betty Morrow have quietly given years of public service in this community.

In 2002, they donated their jewel of a home, the Van Valey house, to the city.

They’ve continued that spirit with one more gift: a nearly half-million-dollar historic building smack in the middle of Everett’s central business district.

“We love the city of Everett,” Ed Morrow said. “It’s our home. This building has been well taken care of and should benefit the people of Everett.”

Last week, the Everett couple signed papers that transferred ownership of their two-story brick building at 2823 Rockefeller Ave., to the Greater Everett Community Foundation. The nonprofit manages $8.6 million in funds from donors, such as former mayor Ed Hansen, who want to give assets to various community groups and programs.

“The Morrows are the salt of the earth,” said Maddy Metzger-Utt, executive director of the foundation. “They are just the best people.”

The foundation plans to use the main level of the building as an office. It currently leases a space on Colby Avenue. The Morrows’ building allows the foundation to save $1,700 a month — money that can instead go to community programs, Metzger-Utt said. The top floor will remain apartments and lease revenue will go to the foundation.

The building was constructed in 1925, part of a building spurt in Everett’s business district fueled by a boom in the lumber industry. In the building’s long life it has served as a paint and wallpaper store, a cafe, a pawn shop and the home of the Snohomish County Welfare Department. During prohibition, a speakeasy called the Frontier Club operated on the top floor.

The Morrows bought the building in 1990, and the couple gutted it, returning it to its original appearance. It was placed on the Everett Historic Register the following year.

“I’ve loved this building to pieces,” Ed Morrow said.

He spent many an hour preparing the building for a new tenant and in its basement, where he set up a wood shop. There, he carved signs that he gave to organizations such as Housing Hope and the American Red Cross.

Both of the Morrows have spent their adult lives in community service. Ed Morrow worked as a school principal for two decades. He also served as a city councilman for eight years and as an Everett port commissioner for six years. He helped introduce covered play fields and fluoridated water to Everett.

Betty Morrow is an active community volunteer and coordinated the continuing education department at Everett Community College for more than 20 years.

Ed Morrow said he and Betty both believe deeply in historic preservation. They’re involved in historic preservation groups and causes, including the Washington Trust and the fight to save the Collins Building.

“We have a real interest in historic properties and the value they leave for the community,” he said.

The building’s assessed value this year is $408,700. Ed Morrow takes pride in donating an up-to-code, tidy building with a brand-new roof, a fire escape and renovated upstairs apartments.

That’s typical of the Morrows, whose gifts go beyond pulling out a checkbook; both the Van Valey house and the brick building were lovingly cared for and restored, said Everett historian Dave Dilgard.

“It’s not a matter of just transferring real estate,” he said. “This is something they really care about and now they’re passing it on to the community.”

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