Lynnwood Convention Center back on track

LYNNWOOD — Demolition of buildings for the new convention center in Lynnwood could start as early as next month, according to a quarterly report released by the public facilities district Aug. 11.

A deal to buy Video Only, the last holdout as the district tried to buy up property, is just about done. The video-equipment store is expected to move to a new site in Lynnwood around Nov. 1, the report says.

By early September, buildings could start coming down at the intersection of 37th Avenue W. and 196th Street SW. Those include the old theater building, Meineke Muffler, Bucky’s Muffler and the building that once housed Fantasy Nails, said Bill Evans, executive director of the district.

Once Video Only moves, that building will come down, too, Evans said.

The second and final phase of construction, which includes building the center, is expected to start early next year and be finished by spring 2005. The first event is scheduled for April of that year.

The project remains on budget, which is $31 million, including construction, land acquisition and other costs.

Construction drawings are 60 percent complete, the reports state. The drawings will be finished in October, construction permits will be obtained in December and construction bids will go out then.

Earlier this month, the district board selected SMG of Philadelphia to operate the center. The company runs several convention centers, as well as professional football stadiums and sports arenas across the country.

SMG will oversee the first two years of pre-opening activities, including marketing the center and scheduling events, and will operate the center for the first three years after it opens.

The board is also looking for a new executive director. Evans, who was Lynnwood’s parks and recreation director before taking this post, is resigning next month because of state retirement system requirements.

This article was compiled by staff at the Herald in Everett.