The proposed building design for the Everett events center is out of place for this area. It more appropriately belongs in an amusement park. The proposed “ship like” structure, with masts and sails, lots of glass is akin to a 1960ish modern design and will likely be a source of humor and derision in the county, similar to the Experience Music Project was (is) to Seattle, only it is in an amusement park. If the center must be built, and must be located on the proposed Hewitt location, then at least create a design that blends into the surrounding area, e.g., bricks, brass and stone. Safeco stadium designers at least tried to do this. Such a large unsightly structure near the Everett downtown is unbalanced for the neighborhood. One needn’t be an architect or urban planner to see that.
Having said that, I’m opposed to the location of Broadway and Hewitt for this event center, and agree with others proposing the site near the new transit station. The reported additional costs associated with the transit center site will save the city in the long run, by preserving some character of the downtown area, including historic Hewitt Avenue, and drawing pedestrians and businesses there. Access to downtown business cannot be impeded, now that the Pacific Avenue bridge is in place. Events center attendees can easily walk up town or take a city trolley to pubs and restaurants before and after events. Appropriate quantities of new parking space might also be constructed there. I envision new small businesses coming to Hewitt, as renovation is proposed, and continued, by some of the property owners.
The Broadway and Hewitt location just makes no sense from an esthetic, residential or small business economic point of view. Don’t turn downtown into a crowded, automobile-clogged, amusement park!
Everett
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