EVERETT — One of the largest commercial projects in the city’s history will be built on a flood-prone strip of the Snohomish River.
Because of potential flooding hazards the proposed homes, shops, restaurants and office buildings, the California company behind the Everett Riverfront Project has to place buildings and roads on land at least two feet above the 100-year floodplain.
That’s just one requirement spelled out in a lengthy new environmental impact statement. The document analyzes the 221-acre mixed-use project being led by the city’s handpicked developer, OliverMcMillan of San Diego.
Challenges to developing the site are numerous.
It encompasses a former sawmill and city dump, environmentally sensitive wetlands, and about two miles of shoreline, which includes habitat for threatened Puget Sound Chinook salmon.
Development requirements include:
Storm water runoff on the property will have to be treated — much of it currently washes into the river without first going through the sewer treatment plant.
The requirement hopes to reduce pollution flowing into the Snohomish River. The Snohomish River Basin is the second largest river basin draining to Puget Sound.
About 30 acres of wetlands will be reopened to tidal action, which may be accomplished by opening tidal gates and removing culverts.
The company will have to build a second fire-access road to the site.
It will also have to pay Everett a yet-to-be-determined sum to deal with the impact on traffic, an effort that includes installing new signals. By 2030, 10 intersections will operate at sites with the city’s two worst traffic-jam ratings — with or without the project — according to the city’s analysis.
OliverMcMillan’s plans call for as many as 1,400 houses and condos, more than 1 million square feet of retail and hotel space, and a 16-screen movie theater complex.
The company also proposes building a boathouse and a small dock.
The project is expected to open in spring 2011 at the earliest.
For its part, the city plans to build a three-acre park near 36th Street, miles of walking and bicycle trails, and a roundabout at the base of 41st Street.
Altogether, the city will set aside about 100 acres of enhanced wetlands, buffers, trails and open space.
The release of the environmental impact report allows the city to proceed with a massive earth-moving project that is expected to start later this month.
The document also gives the Everett Planning Commission and the City Council the green light to begin reviewing a rezone request for the riverfront property.
People will have opportunities to comment on the project again during public meetings this summer.
They will also get a closer look at specific proposals for the site, including the placement of buildings and a shop-lined main street that will serve as the project’s commercial spine.
Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429 or dchircop@heraldnet.com.
Everett Riverfront project
A new environmental impact statement of Everett Riverfront is free for review or can be purchased from the city.
At Everett Public Library: Main library, 2702 Hoyt Ave., Evergreen branch, 9512 Evergreen Way
At City Hall: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 2930 Wetmore Ave., Suite 8-A
CD copies: Free
Printed copies: $30
More information: Call Dave Koenig at 425-257-8736
The project
Total acres: 221
Proposed buildings: More than 1 million square feet of hotel and retail space, up to 1,400 houses and condos.
Starts: Excavation begins this month.
Finishes: Completion is expected in spring 2011 at the soonest.
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