‘Speedy’ courthouse plan stuck in low gear

EVERETT — It’s been two weeks since Snohomish County leaders vowed to find a speedy resolution to a parking fiasco threatening plans for a new courthouse.

No breakthrough appeared imminent by the end of last week, but all sides said they’re still talking.

Discussions continue. They could determine whether the $162 million, eight-story justice center gets built, moves to some other spot or is abandoned at great expense.

“The key to moving forward is to stick to the budget,” County Council Chairman Dave Somers said Friday.

Somers and other council colleagues have insisted that Executive John Lovick give them a recommendation on how he thinks the county should proceed.

The current crisis stems from the Everett City Council’s emergency vote in December to add new parking requirements in the downtown business district where the justice center would be built. While the old rules imposed no parking requirements on the county’s plans, the new ones require more than 300 spaces for the building.

County leaders said it would cost up to $45 million to build a garage with that much space — and effectively kill a project with an already strained budget.

The proposed building also would take out an existing lot with more than 130 parking stalls used by patrons of Xfinity Arena, which is just across the street.

The county claims the new building would create no new parking demands because it would only replace the 1967 courthouse, which is across Wall Street and a block to the west.

Earlier, the county discussed putting parking in the footprint of the old courthouse after it’s demolished. That no longer appears practical, because turning that land into parking would be too expensive, Somers said.

The county might be able to satisfy some, but not all, of the city’s parking requirements by clearing out space in the county’s underground parking garage that’s now used by fleet vehicles.

Another option might be some type of partnership to redevelop parcels fronting Hewitt Avenue on the back side of the future courthouse site. Mayor Ray Stephanson said that Deputy Executive Mark Ericks had left him with the impression that the county was planning something along those lines.

The mayor in January said he was surprised to learn that the county only planned to include 30 to 40 restricted parking spaces in the new building.

“I have talked with City Council members and county staff and I’m positive that we will come to a solution that will satisfy the city of Everett and the county,” County Councilman Brian Sullivan said.

The county has spent $7 million so far, more than half of that to buy out a half-dozen properties in the proposed footprint. Other expenses include architectural and legal contracts.

One of the problems with trying to back out now is the $75 million in bonds the county took out for the project in 2013. Paying off interest obligations, even if the county never spends a cent on actual construction, could add many more millions to the cost of pulling out.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.