BOTHELL — Although Bothell’s Country Village is now closed after the six-acre property was sold back to an Atlanta-based housing developer, there is still hope to save two of the area’s historic buildings.
The developer, Pulte Homes, is offering the historic Ericksen House and Carriage Barn to anyone able to move the buildings off the property. The houses are available until April 1. If no one accepts the offer, Pulte Homes will be able to apply for a demolition permit.
Country Village, a longtime shopping center focused on local businesses, closed completely in June when it was sold by the Loveless family after rising property taxes made ownership of the property unfeasible.
Bothell’s Landmark Preservation Board worked with Pulte Homes to find alternatives for demolition of the historic houses, which led the developer to offer the buildings to anyone who would be able to move them off the property. Pulte Homes representatives did not respond to a request for comment.
According to the State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, the Ericksen family built what would become known as the Ericksen House in 1910. The house was sold six years after construction and purchased again not long after that by Alma Green in 1921. The house became part of Country Village Shops after it was sold by Green in the 1970s.
The Carriage Barn was built in 1901 on the Ericksen House property. Green and her family turned the barn into an electrical repair shop in the 1940s. It was renovated in 1981 to be used as a commercial building as part of Country Village.
Any potential buyer would be responsible for the permitting, coordination and costs associated with moving the two buildings. Anyone interested in moving these historic buildings is encouraged to call Pulte Homes at 425-216-3443.
This story originally appeared in the Bothell-Kenmore Reporter, a sibling paper to the Herald.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
Gallery
