Everett’s plan will not draw crowds, big shows

After months of following the topic of the proposed events center, both in the media and at community forums, it remains a secret what exactly is the hidden agenda that is causing the mayor and city councilmen to blatantly ignore the fact the citizens have told them repeatedly, and in no uncertain terms, that they do not want this arena at that location.

The recent “sugarcoating” of the project includes a brick faade and an upper level museum. But no amount of sugarcoating will make this albatross easy to swallow. As someone with a background in event planning, I know what is involved in hosting a large public event such as a home, boat or trade show. I also know that such an event would be impossible to facilitate at the proposed Hewitt site, which includes on-site parking for a mere 42 automobiles.

It would be physically impossible in the busy downtown area to accommodate the volume of semis, trucks and trailers involved in setting up such a show – there is no room for multiple, huge vehicles to maneuver and park for extended periods while unloading. So what are we to hear in a couple years? That more historic buildings will have to be torn down?

Meanwhile, no one is mentioning that another ice/hockey arena – one which includes a huge parking lot – is being built at Quilceda Village, a mere 15 miles up the highway. Which one would you go to? The one on Hewitt where you have to hike for blocks after fighting gridlock traffic, or the one right off the freeway with its own huge parking lot and plenty of shopping nearby?

Everett

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