Council starting to listen about preserving buildings

I was recently appointed to the Everett Historic Commission, and would like to take this opportunity to commend the city council on approving the Rucker/Grand and Norton/Grand historical overlays at a recent city council meeting.

At the same meeting, Councilman Dale Pope raised the issue of putting historical overlays throughout the entire city. I think this is a great idea! Not long ago the council voted unanimously to bulldoze two city blocks of historic buildings in downtown Everett for a proposed sports arena. I want to congratulate Councilman Pope on his redirection. Maybe he’s the only one who heard the many citizens’ voices against this idea.

We shouldn’t waste any time! Let’s start this historical conservation program with the Hewitt Street area between Broadway and Oakes. The city now owns a few building on that street, and the owners of the other buildings don’t want to sell, so it seems a great place for the city to set an example. Perhaps the city could help revitalize that area, much like Pioneer Square in downtown Seattle. Put city workers in offices above attractive street-front businesses. Perhaps the empty spaces in those blocks could have historic-looking new buildings added in to compliment the area. This, too, would provide much-needed jobs to the area.

Who needs a sports center anyway? In these tough economic times, who will be able to afford to go to hockey games? Not the laid off Boeing workers. I, also, commend Councilman Bob Overstreet on his consideration of this issue in a Herald article about the proposed sports center and hockey team. Already, movie theaters around the country are feeling the squeeze. Many are closing their doors due to lack of attendance. The AquaSox have a hard time filling their stadium and the Performing Arts Center is rarely sold out. Why add one more drain to an already tight entertainment market? When the seats don’t sell, who will foot the bill? And, if some folks feel that the city really does need a sports center, how about locating it in an area that doesn’t threaten the city’s historical areas?

Once again, let me say that I was pleased to hear Councilman Pope go on at length about saving the historical areas of our fair city. I truly hope this means he’s having second thoughts about the demolition of the Hewitt Street historical area. There are many people in the city of Everett who would applaud this change of heart.

Everett

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