The America’s Best Value Inn in Edmonds, Washington. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

The America’s Best Value Inn in Edmonds, Washington. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

County contract almost done for Edmonds motel meth cleanup

The county bought the property and another in Everett to repurpose as transitional housing for homeless people.

EDMONDS — Snohomish County is prepared to pay around $350,000 to clean a former motel contaminated by methamphetamine in Edmonds.

The county bought the Americas Best Value Inn at 22127 Highway 99 in Edmonds for $8.4 million in December. It was part of an announcement for deals there and at the former Days Inn motel near the Everett Mall. The county is converting both buildings into transitional housing, called New Start centers or facilities, for about 129 homeless people.

The Snohomish County Council on April 19 unanimously approved awarding a bid to Accurate Assessment (AA Decon) for abatement and decontamination at the Edmonds site. The Bellingham-based company submitted the lowest of two submitted bids at $348,999.92. The engineer’s estimate was $400,000.

Only 13 companies were certified by the state for drug lab decontamination as of mid-April, according to the state Department of Health.

A contract could be finalized next week, county Office of Recovery and Resilience spokesperson Kelsey Nyland wrote in an email to The Daily Herald. Once the contract takes effect, the company has 15 days to begin work and 30 days to complete it, Nyland wrote.

The county is seeking a different bid for the Everett motel. Getting separate bids can speed up work and improve competition in the bidding, Nyland wrote.

“By separating out the projects, we’re ensuring that one facility doesn’t slow down remediation work at the other,” Nyland wrote. “The New Start Center in Edmonds will likely be quicker to remediate because there are fewer rooms.”

There is room for 55 people at the Edmonds property and 74 people at the Everett facility.

Prior to the property sales closing, the county tested for meth contamination at both properties in late October.

Meth is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The drug’s production can leave toxic waste and is dangerous, according to the state Department of Health.

Homeless people got vouchers from the county to stay at the Days Inn, but that ended in June before it closed and the deal was announced.

With the buildings vacant, the county hired security to prevent trespassing. The former Everett motel property has been fenced in.

The county plans to find on-site service providers for the New Start programs and property managers at the sites.

Designs, facility improvements and permits could be done by fall at the earliest.

Ben Watanabe: 425-339-3037; bwatanabe@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @benwatanabe.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

District 2 candidates differ in public safety approach

Incumbent Paula Rhyne is facing challenger Ryan Crowther. The third candidate, Jonathan Shapiro, is no longer seeking the seat.

From left to right, Edmonds City Council Position 3 candidates Joseph Ademofe, Alex Newman and Erika Barnett.
Amid budget crisis, Edmonds City Council candidates talk revenue, affordability

Three newcomers are facing off for Position 3 on the council, currently held by council President Neil Tibbott.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Everett
Everett approves new fines for non-emergency lifts

The fire department will only issue fines for non-emergency lift assists at licensed care facilities, not for individuals at home calling 911.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.