MUKILTEO – The debate over where to build a new city hall is not over.
The contentious issue, which has divided the city all year, will be resurrected Jan. 3 at the first City Council meeting of the new year.
Three new council members will give proponents of a Harbour Pointe location for the new city hall a 5-2 majority on the council.
While the council voted twice this year to build the city hall on Third Street in Old Town next to Rosehill Community Center, and while design for the building has already begun, some council members want to revisit the issue.
“I want to look at it again and go through the siting process again,” said Marko Liias, one of the new council members.
But council members also stressed that they don’t want to drag the issue out much longer.
“It’s important to address it as quickly as we can,” said Councilwoman Jennifer Gregerson, who asked that it be put on the Jan. 3 meeting agenda.
As a concession to the vocal residents who called for a Harbour Pointe site, the council looked into buying property in that area. Six or seven parcels were investigated, and the options were narrowed to two.
One parcel of about an acre is near the Rane Corp. property on 47th Place W., outgoing Councilwoman Cathy Reese said. The other is 3.6 acres on Harbour Place west of Mukilteo Speedway and north of Harbour Pointe Drive N.
Liias wants the new council to get a full update on those parcels, their cost and whether they are still available.
Gregerson, who would prefer a Harbour Pointe site, said new alternatives could be considered, such as buying and remodeling an existing building.
Councilwoman Lori Kaiser, who voted with the majority for the Old Town site, doesn’t like the idea of spending money for new property when the city already owns the Third Street property.
A citizen initiative earlier this year called for the new city hall to be built on 47th Avenue W. between the police and fire stations. The council killed that initiative, prompting a lawsuit against the city that was settled in the city’s favor.
Even some proponents of a Harbour Pointe site have doubts about whether a city hall building could fit between the two stations. But it’s likely to be discussed anyway, Liias and Gregerson said.
Kaiser is concerned about the time factor, noting that the city’s lease on its current rented space at 4480 Chennault Beach Road expires in 2007.
“I think it’s important for the council to be expeditious around the thought of the city paying rent, and rent is a poor use of those funds,” she said.
Liias said he, too, is concerned about time and money. He’d like information about how much of the design done so far can be transferred to another site.
The city has spent $120,000 so far on design, city administrator Rich Leahy said. Some of the work could apply to another site, and “a lot of it can’t be reused,” he said. He didn’t have a percentage.
Liias said if any design work is still being done that works only for the Third Street site, it “should probably stop while we come up with what our council’s direction’s going to be.”
Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com.
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