EVERETT — For more than a decade, city leaders have worked to transform an industrial wasteland on the Snohomish River into a world-class neighborhood that balances natural beauty and urban sophistication.
Since the early ’90s, tens of millions of public dollars have been poured into buying and cleaning up the former city dump and Simpson pulp mill east of I-5.
It is this site where in 1983 and 1984 a mountain of 2 million tires was engulfed for months in a gooey toxic blaze.
Years have been spent getting Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway to agree to move its tracks and on finding a private developer buy the land for a mix of homes, shops, restaurants, offices, parks and places for entertainment.
Today, Everett city planners and representatives with San Diego developer OliverMcMillan are scheduled to give a presentation on what they envision for the 221-acre property.
They also plan to take public testimony on the first draft of a lengthy environmental study that outlines the project’s potential impact on traffic, air and water quality, plants and animals and other resources.
OliverMcMillan wants to build a mix of shops, condos and restaurants and a movie theater.
At the same time, plans call for restoring salmon runs and wetlands, building a kayak launch and city park, and improving trails for biking and walking.
OliverMcMillan also says it will follow stringent environmental building and design standards established by the U.S. Green Building Council, or pay the city an additional $1 million.
The public hearing is 6:30 p.m. today in the Weyerhaeuser Room at Everett Station, 3201 Smith St., Everett.
People have until Feb. 4 to comment on the draft environmental impact statement.
By the numbers
221 acres of land in Everett Riverfront.
100 acres of the land to be preserved as wetlands and open space.
1,400 housing units proposed.
1 million square feet of retail space proposed.
$8 million proposed sales price for the land.
$500 million worth of private investment expected.
70,000 dump truck round-trips expected.
More on Everett Riverfront
Analysis of Everett Riverfront can be reviewed free or purchased from the city.
Online: Go to www.everettwa.org and click on “riverfront redevelopment”
At the library: Main library, 2702 Hoyt Ave., or Evergreen branch, 9512 Evergreen Way
At City Hall: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 2930 Wetmore Ave., Suite 8-A
CD copies: Free
Printed copies: $50 for the draft environmental impact statement and $50 for all appendices
Questions? Call Dave Koenig at 425-257-8736
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