EVERETT — Plans to sell 8 acres along Everett’s waterfront to a private developer for construction of several hundred condominiums drew criticism Thursday at a Port of Everett hearing.
The hearing was required before the port can change its comprehensive plan to allow a $200 million redevelopment of a 64-acre site the port calls its north marina. The development would allocate space for marine businesses, offices, public access, shops, hotels and restaurants, and residential use.
Only the residential plan drew criticism Thursday.
James Schack, whose family owns property adjacent to the area, suggested that the property earmarked for condos should be sold to the highest bidder, rather than sold only to Maritime Trust, the private firm handling the redevelopment.
His sister, Margaret Davis, expressed a similar concern in a letter to the three port commissioners. "The designated surplus real property should be offered on the open market at fair market prices," she wrote.
Echoing those concerns were Dave Mascarenes of Everett.
"That property belongs to all of us," he said. "And we should all have a shot at it."
Port officials say the property will be sold to Maritime rather than to the highest bidder for a number of reasons, primarily because the condo development, which could include as many as 660 units, is crucial to the success of the project.
John Mohr, the port’s executive director, said the existing commercial development on the waterfront, Marina Village, struggles for five months of the year because it doesn’t have a built-in customer base after boating season.
"The residential development is a key component to keep up the foot traffic and to provide a customer base," he said.
Since the port is precluded from doing its own residential development, it will need to declare the property surplus. It makes sense for Maritime Trust to develop the condos because it can use the revenue from their sale to help pay for public amenities on the site, such as walkways and an ampitheater, officials said.
The residential project "is such a key component to the development of the other aspects of the property that the amenities can’t come without it," said Brad Cattle, the port’s lawyer.
Mohr noted that Maritime Trust will build the project in stages — some residential, some commercial and some public-access.
"If we went to bid ( on the condo property), there’s no guarantee the whole project would be built," Mohr said. "Everybody wants to bid on the residential part, because that’s where the money is."
Port officials are accepting written comments on the proposed amendment to the area’s comprehensive plan until Nov. 24. The commission expects to take action on the amendment Dec. 9.
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