EVERETT — Voters in the November general election will decide the fate of the historic Collins Building.
The Port of Everett commission voted unanimously Tuesday 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 a question of whether it’s a reasonable investment,” said commissioner Michael Hoffmann. “This gives the public the chance to review both and I think it’s a great idea.”
Home to a former casket company, the Collins Building is considered the last of its kind among wood-products businesses that once filled the Everett waterfront.
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.
Commissioner Duane Pearson noted that an analysis several years ago estimated that leasing rates at the time would support spending a maximum of $4.7 million on the building.
“It’s always been about the money,” said commissioner Phil Bannan. “This offers the public the opportunity to put its money into the building.”
David Mascarenas of Everett, a port critic, said putting the issue on the ballot during a recession would likely ensure its defeat. “They know people aren’t going to vote for it in these hard economic times,” he said. “Now they can say people voted no. Deconstructing the building has always been their position.”
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.
Snohomish County election officials will charge the port an estimated $5,000 to put the issue on the ballot, officials said.
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