No luck selling Everett School District’s historic Longfellow building

EVERETT — The Everett School District is still trying to sell the historic Longfellow building.

Since the century-old building went on the market in December, Everett Public Schools has received just one letter of interest for the building, from a startup group called The HandUp Project, which sought to build a living center and life skills program for homeless adults.

“They did not really demonstrate that they had the financial capacity to purchase or to upgrade this building,” said Mike Gunn, the district’s executive director of facilities and operations. “Nor did they have the experience in upgrading or managing a facility of this size.”

The district had estimated the building and its 2.3 acre lot are worth between $1.1 million and $1.4 million, but that it would cost $7.8 million to renovate it and bring it up to code.*

Right now the district only uses the building for some storage, and lets the police and fire departments conduct training exercises inside it.

But even in that capacity, keeping the electricity and heat on and the security system operational, the building costs the district $78,000 per year, Gunn said.

Robert Smiley, the founder and chief executive of the HandUp Project, said the district’s assessment of the group’s qualifications was inaccurate, and thinks there might be resistance from the city to building a residence for the homeless in the current political environment.

“We think it’s something else other than the financial issue that’s the problem,” Smiley said.

Smiley also believes there is a misunderstanding of the role his planned facility would have. It would not be an addiction treatment center, he said, but would focus on a two-year sober residency program to help homeless people with housing, job placement and life skills.

“We are not a mission; we are not where people can come in off the street and hang out,” Smiley said.

He added that he’ll keep working on securing financing in the hopes of changing the district’s mind.

The district intended to raze the Longfellow building, which is located at 3715 Oakes Ave., and create additional parking for the nearby athletic fields.

In December, however, the Everett School Board heeded those who wanted to preserve the historic building, and gave the district four months to try and sell or lease the building.

That window has now closed, and the district will try to figure out what to do next.

“We have basically taken it off the market and we’re going to be doing some further evaluation of the condition of the building,” Gunn said.

He said the district would document the Longfellow building’s historic character and listen to anyone who would come forward with a a viable offer to buy or lease it.

The district is also in talks to sell its former building at 4730 Colby Ave. The likely buyer is the YMCA of Snohomish County, which is seeking a new home for its Everett facility.

Gunn wouldn’t comment about the talks, but said the district likely will present the board with an update on the Colby building at one of its May meetings.

The district has retained Long Bay Enterprises and Century Pacific as its agents in the sale of both buildings.

Chris Winters: 425-374-4165; cwinters@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @Chris_At_Herald.

Correction, May 19, 2015: Everett School District’s Longfellow building sits on a 2.3-acre site and is estimated to be worth between $1.1 million and $1.4 million. The acreage and value were incorrect in an earlier version of this story.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Southbound lanes on Highway 99 reopen after crash

The crash, on Highway 99 at 176th Street SW, blocked traffic for over an hour. Traffic was diverted to 168th Street SW.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

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.