Neither Bargreens nor Port got everything each wanted

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, December 22, 2020

For years, I negotiated contracts for a living. I was also avolunteer arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau. Although I was not party to the subject matter, I think I know what happened.

In 2017, Port of Everett approached Bargreens to obtain an easement to their adjacent properties. At the same time, the Port was negotiating with Port of Seattle to buy two of their cranes (which we all know are bright orange). Neither side liked the orange cranes and decided to paint them blue when they arrived. But the Seattle deal fell through; cranes were purchased from Port of Los Angeles and barged to Everett in 2020 at great expense. The L.A. cranes were green except for orange and white stripes and flashing lights above 200 feet, per FAA regulations. Cost to paint the green portion was exorbitant and nothing could change the FAA requirement. As soon as the Port found out, they contacted Bargreens to renegotiate their contract.

So, essentially, the $590,000 settlement was not just about paint color but to preserve the property easement. Bargreens will have to pay income tax on the $590,000 received. They also cannot change the orange stripes and blinking lights atop the cranes in their view of the water. Nobody got what they wanted. Such is business.

Pattye Snyder

Everett