EVERETT — Voters will decide the fate of the historic Collins Building, a former casket factory on the Everett waterfront slated for demolition.
The Port of Everett commission voted unanimously today to place a $15 million tax levy on the November ballot that would be used to rehabilitate and renovate the 75-year-old building now on the state and national registers of historic places.
“There’s the historic, emotional past for this building and question of whether it’s a reasonable investment,” commissioner Michael Hoffmann said. “This gives the public the chance to review both and I think it’s a great idea.”
The proposed tax would cost property owners within the port district $1.06 per $1,000 of value. The owner of a $300,000 home would pay $318. The port district includes Everett and much of Mukilteo.
Port officials have said it would be illegal for the agency to spend the money because studies have shown it would be a poor financial investment.
“It’s always been about the money,” commissioner Phil Bannan said. “This offers the public the opportunity to put its money into the building.”
It will cost the port an estimated $5,000 to put the issue on the ballot, officials said. In approving the election measure, port officials agreed to set aside plans to seek bids for demolishing the building and donating its usable parts to other projects, such as a planned community garden in Mukilteo and a public market in Everett.
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