In a surprise choice, the Mukilteo City Council voted 5-2 late Monday to build city hall on a vacant parcel in the southern part of Harbour Pointe.
The site, at the northwest corner of Harbour Pointe Boulevard South and Cyrus Way, was not preferred by any of the council members. They settled on the location because of its low cost and because they couldnt agree on any of the other four choices.
Each of the other sites was defeated by a 4-3 vote. Those were: a one-acre parcel at 8522 Mukilteo Speedway; the offices of Electroimpact engineering at 4606 107th Place W.; a city-owned parcel next to the Rosehill Community Center in the north end of the city; and on 47th Place W. in Harbour Pointe between the police and fire stations.
In the end, five of the council members decided the Harbour Pointe South location was the only option left. The vote took place shortly before 11:30 p.m.
“I never would have expected this decision,” said Councilman Kevin Stoltz, who preferred 47th Place W. but ended up voting for the compromise site.
The Harbour Pointe South site had been on the citys list of possible locations earlier this year, but had dropped out of the running until last week. The city reached a tentative agreement with the property owner last week to purchase the parcel for $790,000. The choice was not among those presented to the public in an open house Sept. 20.
“In the end youre choosing a site the public didnt even see,” said Mayor Joe Marine, who did not vote but expressed his displeasure with the choice before and after the decision.
Councilmen Bruce Richter and Randy Lord voted against the site. Council president Jennifer Gregerson objected to the choice because of its southerly location, but in the end agreed to the compromise.
The city estimates it will cost a total of $8.7 million to buy and build on the site, compared with $8.9 million for Third Street, $10.1 million for the Mukilteo Speedway, $11.3 million for the Electroimpact building and $12.7 million for 47th Place W.
Councilwoman Lori Kaiser, whose first choice was Third Street, said “my second alternative is to make sure I dont overcharge my constituents.”
Councilmembers said the Harbour Pointe South location could become more central in the city if it annexes land to the south. Councilman Marko Liias said its appealing not only because of its lower cost, but because it doesnt carry the emotion associated with some of the other sites.
“Im confident we have a good solution,” he said.
Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com
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