Messy area may become a park with a view

Published 10:45 pm Wednesday, July 11, 2007

EVERETT – Members of the city’s Port Gardner neighborhood want to transform a dumping ground at the end of Warren Street into a waterfront overlook. And the Port of Everett would like to help pay for it.

The plan for turning an old city right of way into a viewpoint with a new walkway and a platform with stairs, benches and a planter was unveiled to the port commission earlier this week by resident Walter Seldon.

Seldon said he’s already gotten the city to declare the area a park so it can be improved, now he’s looking for money to pay for it. “It’s really in place,” he said. “All we need are the funds, a final design and a name.”

Seldon noted the area adjacent to Warren has long been an unofficial viewpoint because of its 180-degree view overlooking Puget Sound. In the distance is the Olympic mountain range, and in the foreground are the port’s marine terminals.

The area has been a bit of a dumping ground in the past, Seldon said, calling it “a mess.” He said neighbors have cleaned the area up and would continue to do so. And the city would regularly dispose of the garbage.

“We’ve got a lot of volunteers up there,” he said.

The project would cost about $35,000, Seldon said.

Port commissioners said Tuesday they were interested in helping with the project under a policy the organization has to provide a small percentage of the cost of development projects for public access.

“I’m inclined to help out on a project in that neighborhood since we impact it a whole lot,” said commissioner Phil Bannan.

“I think it’s great plan,” said commissioner Don Hopkins.

The only thing that kept the port from becoming involved immediately was that it already has committed its limit on access projects.

Port planner Graham Anderson said he’s working with the city to develop a program where the port would get credit for future development if it contributes in advance to access projects like Seldon’s.

“The agreement is not yet in place with the city,” he said. “Perhaps the biggest need we have (to advance the viewpoint project) is in creating this vehicle.”

Mike Benbow: 425-339-3459; benbow@heraldnet.com.