EVERETT — The Port of Everett has come up with a new plan for a waterfront administration building for less than half the earlier cost of $7 million, but its commissioners aren’t convinced even that’s a great deal.
“I commend the staff for reducing the cost of a new administration building, but I’m not convinced that this building isn’t good enough,” said Commissioner Phil Bannan, speaking of the existing building at 2911 Bond St.
Last year, John Mohr, the port’s executive director, asked the commission to consider a new four-story building near the north marina area planned for a $400 million redevelopment.
He said other tenants of the existing building need more space and that it would be a good opportunity for the port to put its scattered staff under one roof and closer to the port’s waterfront activities and customers.
The new plan would add a two-story administration building module to the redevelopment of the former Marine Spill Response Corp. facility. That building is being improved and expanded as part of the port’s new Craftsman District area. Part of the redevelopment — which is intended to house the area’s marina-related businesses — would involve adding a second floor and putting in restrooms, elevators and a mezzanine.
Facilities manager Larry Crawford said the port could add a two-story administration building, rent out the first floor and share the restrooms and other facilities with the marine-related tenants for about $2.9 million.
“It’s very economical,” Crawford said, noting that the sale of the existing building would cover the cost of the new one.
Bannan, a big opponent of the previous plan, said he would want to see some numbers about the building’s cost and about the potential rent for the first floor.
Commissioner Michael Hoffmann agreed. “Phil brought out some questions (about the need for a new building) and I don’t think we ever answered them,” he said of the initial proposal.
Mohr said the idea to remodel the concrete building that once housed oil spill equipment was a good one, even if the port doesn’t wind up there.
“It’s a good space,” he said, indicating the space could be rented for office or commercial use.
Crawford said the space intended for the new administration building would house about 30 employees and include about 15,000 square feet, including the first floor, which would be leased out.
Expansion of the spill building would add 30,000 square feet. The total project would cost about $8.4 million and be complete in about two years, he said.
Bannan said he still needed more information before he would support a new building for the port staff. “Let’s not call it a port administration building because I’m not there yet,” he said. “Let’s call it a project that we might lease out. It’s either a good project or it’s not. Let’s see if it pencils out.”
Hoffmann and Connie Niva, port commission chairwoman, agreed they want more information.
“We need to lay out all the pros and cons,” Niva said. “We need to put them all on the table to consider.”
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