Everett Port gets money to improve sidewalks along W. Marine View Drive
Published 10:50 pm Sunday, June 7, 2009
EVERETT— The Port of Everett is receiving $1.9 million in federal stimulus money for pedestrian improvements along a five-block stretch of W. Marine View Drive.
The work includes building a 12-foot-wide combined pedestrian walkway and bike path between 11th and 16th streets. It will eventually link with similar improvements planned to the north.
These improvements are in front of the site where a struggling developer had plans to build waterfront condos and a mix of commercial and office buildings.
The company, Everett Maritime, a subsidiary of Maritime Trust of Chicago, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month. It hopes to emerge from bankruptcy and complete the project, which could include as many as 660 condos.
Pedestrian improvements are expected to begin as soon as this summer. Construction will last about six months.
The city of Everett, which is more familiar with bidding and labor requirements on federally funded transportation projects, plans to administer the pedestrian improvement job for the port, said Everett engineer Ryan Sass.
Project designs call for separating the walkway from the busy truck route with a landscaped buffer. The largely industrial area now has a sidewalk near the road with landscaping separating the sidewalk from parking lots.
Several driveways that cut across the sidewalk will also be eliminated, said Lisa Lefeber, the port’s spokeswoman.
Next year, the city plans to begin similar improvements from 10th Street to Alverson Boulevard.
The funding is part of about $51 million in federal stimulus that will pay for buses, transit projects and roads in Snohomish County.
Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429.
