Echo Lake site no longer an option

SHORELINE — The Shoreline City Council crossed off their number one choice for a new city hall — the south end of Echo Lake.

“This is a particularly bitter pill for me,” Council member Bob Ransom said. “For 10 years I have tried to obtain property for a Green Lake North.”

Although some members favored the site at the south end of Echo Lake and others opposed the location, the unanimous vote to not proceed with the purchase and sale agreement came after members deliberated in executive session at the March 21 special meeting.

The decision comes after an extended 135-day due-diligence period on the site, located at 19250 Aurora Ave. N.

City manager Steve Burkett recommended the Council authorize him to terminate the purchase and sale agreement for the Echo Lake site after detailing three areas of concern, including not yet negotiating a development agreement with the Shoreline/South County Family YMCA, which had planned to build a new $10 million-$13 million facility at the same site. The agreement is needed to acquire property for common areas and to determine how costs for development would be allocated.

Courtney Whitaker, Shoreline/South County Family YMCA branch executive, said the City Council’s decision has not impacted the YMCA’s plans for the Echo Lake site. Ongoing discussions are still underway with the Echo Lake property owner.

“The bottom line is that we are still looking at the site for a possible YMCA,” Whitaker said. “The site is still a viable option for us.”

Burkett said another issue of concern was the refinement of budget estimates and the realization that structured parking was estimated at $2.3 million, or 10 percent of the total budget for the project. The estimated cost to complete the project also exceeded the proposed $21.4 million budget.

Resident Virginia Paulsen said she remained opposed to the Echo Lake site, as it was not a central location and would be increasingly difficult for residents to access. She was also concerned that the cost was much higher than anticipated.

Resident LaNita Wacker said she has been outspoken in her support of the site and hoped the Council continued with negotiations on the Echo Lake property.

“We must start thinking about investing in structured parking so we do not pave over the city,” Wacker said. “This can only be a benefit for the long-term.”

Wacker also said the site was accessible from Aurora Avenue as a community center and stressed that there were ways to modify the project to stay within the budget.

Ransom said due to changing circumstances, such as the price for the garage and other escalating costs, the situation was getting out of control.

Deputy Mayor Scott Jepsen said the Echo Lake property is a wonderful site for a new city hall, but since the agreement with the YMCA was not reached by the deadline, termination of the agreement was justifiable.

“The fact that both parties have not come to terms is a stumbling point,” Jepsen said. “The technical issues and cost could be refined.”

Council member Rich Gustafson said it was a difficult decision, especially since many people envisioned a park and YMCA located near a new city hall.

Council member Maggie Fimia said although she supports a new city hall, she never favored the Echo Lake site. She stressed that other potential uses for the Echo Lake site could include a large park or affordable housing.

“I am in favor of building a city hall, but we need to involve the public in this,” Fimia said.

In December, the city council approved the purchase and sale agreement with Echo Lake Associates for the site. The city had $11.4 million in savings for the down payment on the project, and intended to borrow the remaining $10 million.

Included in tentative plans for the site were structured parking, retail space, accommodations for a future police station, private housing, a common area and about 1.5 acres of park and open space along the Echo Lake waterfront.