The Port of Everett’s north marina development may be exciting to a few people (primarily those who are going to make a lot of money), but to most of us it will be just another predictable, unimaginative, “upscale” development.
Upscale means that lots of money, land and resources will be used to build something attractive, interesting and affordable to only a very small minority with certain specific tastes. Upscale usually includes expensive restaurants with not very good food, cute and expensive little shops selling nothing of any utility or value, businesses trying to sell services you don’t need at inflated prices, housing for the wealthy and plenty of parking. Upscale produces low paying, dead-end jobs for sales clerks, janitors, landscapers and waitresses.
Upscale is not original, innovative, imaginative or unusual. It is more of the same, and it is everywhere.
Development does not have to be upscale. The single best piece of development done by the port didn’t cost it or the taxpayers anything. The port turned over Jetty Island to Everett Parks, which created a special place that a huge number of people have enjoyed. The port’s boat launch, although undeveloped as a park, is at least utilitarian and used by a broad spectrum of people.
Except as noted, the port and the city turned over the entire waterfront to profit-making activities of one kind or another. There was no civic vision of a waterfront park or related public use. Now, when one of the last opportunities for redevelopment appears, we have more of the same.
It is unfortunate that the port commissioners have such a limited and conventional view of their responsibilities; Everett will be the poorer.
LAWRENCE HARRIS
Everett
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