Thumbs up for port plan

EVERETT – An architect’s plan for a $300 million redevelopment of Everett’s waterfront won unanimous approval from the Port of Everett commission Tuesday over the objections of some neighborhood residents.

The proposal would raze a number of industrial properties and essentially create a new neighborhood on the city’s waterfront next to the marina.

If the project is completed as proposed, residents would live in about 660 condominiums in its center. They would be surrounded by retail shops, restaurants, offices, marine services companies and other businesses, as well as new public spaces for the community.

A number of neighbors criticized the plan, saying the 65-foot height of some of the buildings would block their views.

KEY POINTS Here are some key elements of the redevelopment plan: It would add a community of as many as 660 condominiums, with offices, restaurants, retail shops, marine services businesses and office space. There would be a public walkway around the development, public spaces inside it and a public amphitheater for events. A spire 80 to 90 feet tall would serve as a fisherman’s memorial. WHAT’S NEXT? Plans for the $300 million waterfront development project won’t go forward without approval of new building height limits from the Everett planning department and City Council. Heights are now limited to 55 feet. The waterfront project calls for buildings 65 feet tall. The Everett Planning Commission will likely hold its first meeting on the height issue Sept. 13, but that depends on how soon the port submits an application for the variance.

Two years ago, the height restrictions were changed from 35 feet to 55 feet to accommodate the project, but developer Maritime Trust said additional height is needed to accommodate the planned number of condos.

“I think it’s the right thing to do,” commissioner Phil Bannan said after the vote. “It (the extra height) makes an OK project into a great project. Just OK isn’t good enough when you’ve got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Bannan, whose family’s brew pub business is in the redevelopment area and whose home overlooks the development, said he didn’t think the project would negatively affect his views. And he said the taller buildings would allow for underground parking and make the project more profitable, attracting lenders.

Commissioner Don Hopkins said that of the 91 letters commissioners received about the project, “the overwhelming majority said to move ahead.”

“I thoroughly believe that when they see the final product, they will be glad we did it,” he said of residents concerned about views.

Residents of north Everett whose homes overlook the development have said they support the project; they just don’t want to see buildings taller than 55 feet. Higher buildings would block a significant portion of their views of waterfront activities, residents said.

Port officials have said additional height is needed because plans for dealing with contaminated soil and the site’s water table weren’t developed when the original ceilings were reached.

John Cronan, who is among the opponents, said the vote was “not unexpected, by any means.”

Since the city must approve any heights over 55 feet, Cronan said opponents will look at the port’s requests and gear up for the Everett Planning Commission meeting on the project.

He also said he hoped the port would follow a suggestion from his group to place poles on the site at appropriate heights so people could see exactly how high the new buildings would be.

The port at this point has no plan to do that, director John Mohr said.

Bert Mears of Maritime Trust was pleased by the unanimous vote.

“I’m very excited to be moving forward,” he said. “It’s the first of three legs. Now comes the planning commission and the council.”

Mears said he hoped to have some condos and stores ready on the project by spring 2007. “We’re really anxious to get on it,” he said. “We’re fighting for every half day.”

Herald writer Mike Benbow: 425-339-3459 or benbow@heraldnet.com.