By Theresa Goffredo
Herald Writer
EVERETT — A statewide organization bent on historic preservation wants to save two of the city’s early 20th-century buildings — and several other historic structures — that could be torn down to make way for a hockey arena and special events center.
The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation announced Tuesday that it would recommend to the Everett Historical Commission that the panel deny granting the city a waiver that would clear the way for demolition of the Moffat Building and the Friendly-Friede Building, otherwise known as Stovies Stove Shop.
The Moffat Building, which houses the Cosmopolitan Theatre, was built in 1910, and the Friede Building in 1902.
Both buildings are on Hewitt Avenue and in the way of a proposed $50 million hockey arena that would be paid for in part by a $25 million sales tax rebate.
The historical commission plans two public hearings on the waiver application. One is at 7 tonight at the Wall Street Building, 2930 Wetmore Ave. The other is Nov. 28 at the same time and place.
In addition to the Moffat Building and Stovies Stove Shop, Washington Trust has added other historic buildings in the two-block area of the proposed arena to the trust’s list of 10 Most Endangered Properties in the state.
One, the Scottish Rite Temple on Oakes Avenue, was built in 1910 and is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
The buildings were added to the Most Endangered List after having been nominated by the League of Snohomish County Heritage. The main qualification for getting on the list is that a building is in imminent danger of demolition, Larry Cort, a Washington Trust board member, said Tuesday.
"The only way we like to see a property removed from the list is a decision to save it," Cort said.
David Dilgard, a regional history specialist in Everett Public Library’s Northwest room, agreed.
"Every block of Hewitt Avenue is a chapter in the history of our town," Dilgard said. "If you really want to understand the story, the last thing you do is rip out the pages where the most interesting part of the narrative unfolds."
You can call Herald Writer Theresa Goffredo at 425-339-3097 or send e-mail to
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