Everett School District office cost jumps $535K

The cost of the Everett School District’s new administration building has increased by more than a half-million dollars, with the tab for construction now expected to hit $17.49 million.

The $535,392 in additional charges paid for two projects: digging out and taking away petroleum-contaminated soil found on the site as construction was under way and installing equipment to back up the school district’s power network and protect it against power surges, said Hal Beumel, director of facilities and planning.

The 66,365-square-foot building is scheduled to open in October. It is being built near the corner of Broadway and 41st Street SE in Everett.

The final cost of the building, including taxes and purchase of furniture and equipment, is expected to be at least $23.8 million.

The school district initially paid to have petroleum-contaminated soil removed from the site in the summer of 2009.

There were two gas stations and a fuel distribution center on the land from early 1960s through 1984, according to Beumel. The school district bought the site in 1986.

However, as construction on the new administration proceeded, four additional areas of soil contaminated with gasoline or oil were found. Removal of the contaminated soil took about two weeks.

“We had to clean that up, excavate it and haul it to an approved disposal site,” he said

In order to avoid delay, the soil had to be removed quickly, Beumel said.

The total cost to remove and dispose the contaminated soil was $242,539.

The power unit, which provides an uninterrupted power supply during power outages, cost $292,853. The project is being completed by Everett-based Valley Electric.

Administrative offices currently are split among several sites in the school district. The Longfellow building, a former elementary school built in 1911, was converted to an office building in 1970. A building at 4730 Colby Ave. is where Superintendent Gary Cohn and some other administrators have their offices and where school board meetings are held.

BNCC Inc. of Steilacoom is the contractor in charge of constructing the new administration building.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

A view of a homes in Edmonds, Washington on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County to mail property tax statements this month

First half payments are due on April 30.

Ticket and ORCA card kiosks at the Lynnwood Light Rail station on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Beginning March 1, Community Transit to reduce some fares

Riders eligible for reduced fares will pay $1 for a single ORCA card tap and $36 for a monthly pass.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The amphitheater at Deception Pass during the 2021 concert series. (Photo provided by Deception Pass Park Foundation Facebook page.)
Deception Pass Foundation seeks Adopt-A-Trail volunteers

If you’re looking for a way to get outside and… Continue reading

A pedestrian is struck and killed by vehicle Wednesday in Everett

The pedestrian was a man in his 60s. The collision happened at 5:30 a.m. on Broadway.

Want coffee? Drink some with the Marysville mayor.

A casual question-and-answer session between mayor and constituents is planned for March 24.

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.