By Theresa Goffredo
Herald Writer
EVERETT — Steven Snider knows he got a great deal by selling his historic downtown building — circa 1902 — to the city of Everett.
But Snider is conflicted because he doesn’t believe his building and other historic downtown landmarks should be leveled to make way for a combination hockey arena and concert hall.
"Personally, I’m very satisfied," said Snider, owner of Timeless Antiques at Hewitt and Lombard avenues. "But morally and politically, I’m opposed because a convention center is not a public necessity. You condemn buildings for a major highway or expanding the hospital, but not for a convention center."
But condemning buildings is what the city is poised to do. Everett City Council members tonight are expected to pass an ordinance that would condemn properties in a two-block area downtown so the city can buy the land. This legal process, known as eminent domain, allows cities and other public entities to condemn land in the name of the public good.
In this case, the public good is a $40 million to $50 million center for ice hockey and concerts. That regional center will promote economic development and "needed public facilities to serve local and regional business, community, family entertainment, youth recreation and athletic organizations," according to language in the ordinance.
The two-block site selected for the center is bounded by Hewitt Avenue to the north, Broadway to the east, Oakes Avenues to the west and Wall Street to the south. The city would buy the land under the center, for an estimated $10 million out of the city’s capital fund, and then the land will be leased by the special public facilities district set up to operate the center.
Though the city may enact its right to eminent domain, city staff will still continue to negotiate with the dozen or so property owners who have refused to sell. At least three owners, including Snider, have already sold their property to the city.
Property owner Craig Dieffenbach is in the process of negotiating a sale with the city. He owns two buildings in the path of the events center — the Cosmopolitan theater and apartments and the building that houses Jack’s Men’s Shop.
Dieffenbach said he believes the sacrifice of his two buildings is worth it because the increased revenue from the hockey arena and concert hall will bring more tax dollars for future rehabilitation projects downtown.
"There’s exactly no draw downtown, except for bums and derelicts," Dieffenbach said. "But that is rapidly changing. I’ve seen quite a rapid change since the talk of the events center began. There’s a real energy in that area.
"Growth hurts," Dieffenbach said. "That’s why they call it growing pains. It’s called evolution."
You can call Herald Writer Theresa Goffredo at 425-339-3097
or send e-mail to goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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