City Council Tags Site For Possible 20 Million Dollar Artist's Hub
"The local arts community envisions a downtown Everett mecca for the arts - studios for and creating art, gallaries, workshops, classroom space.
City officials envision a thriving arts district that attracts national attention and boosts the economy.
On April 26 the community moved on step closer to building a $20 million regional arts center in downtown Everett.
The City Council committed to working with Artspace Projects of Minneapolis, an affordable housing developer for artists, in the possible future development of 2919 Hoyt Avenue, where an aging parking garage sits today.
Council members authorized the mayor to negotiate a lease agreement with Artspace for a term of 100 years - the expected life span of this type of arts center....
"This is the first step, having the city make the site available," said Judy Tuohy, executive director of the Arts Council of Snohomish County. "This is a huge step toward making this project a reality."
Artspace, the arts council and the city have partnered on the project and are expected to break ground in 2008. Artspace has completed 17 projects throughout the country, including the 2-year-old Tashiro Kaplan Artist Lofts in Seattle's Pioneer Square District, and has 16 projects in the works.
"This sends a strong message about how much the city values the quality of life in Everett." Tuohy said.
Forty apartment units where artists will have work space in their homes will cost $14 million to $15 million, funded mostly through public affordable housing and state and local funds through Artspace, Tuohy said in a previous interview. The center may include two exhibit spaces, a gallery store, studio space for rent, art supplies shops, office space and a coffee shop.
"We really want to be able to create a visual arts center that will be nationally renowned." Tuohy said.
An arts center has the potential to attract businesses and people to Everett, bring together a group of artists that is engaged in the community, provide more cultural experiences and bolster the economy the partners said.
"The arts center doesn't just empty out at the end of the day." since artists live thrre too, said Cathryn Vandenbrink, regional director of Artspace.
"It's a proven fact that wherever one of these arts centers locates, the area ends up becoming a destination in that area - people start to spend time there, to visit," city spokeswoman Kate Reardon said.
Philanthropic efforts must raise $5 million to $6 million, Tuohy said. The city pledged $100,000 worth of early planning and architectural work, most of which has been spent, Reardon said.
A fund-raising campaign, headed by the arts council, will start in early 2007. "The Arts Council is the and soul of this project," Vandenbrink said. "The Arts Center will give them the opportunity to expand what they have to offer."
Everett has given Artspace the official support necessary to create a successful project, she said.
"It's really exciting to be working in a community where the arts organization is out in front, and the public entities like the mayor and council are right there with them," Vandenbrink said."
Jenny Zuvela - Everett Tribune
This article appeared in the April 27, 2006 online edition of the The Everett Herald -
Everett Could Go Wireless Quickly
"Citywide wireless Internet could launch in Everett within months.
Maverick Wireless, a company based in Anacortes, wants to make Everett the first city to boast Wi-Fi that company founder and president David Schmelke said is "far faster, far more reliable, far more secure with far better coverage" than what is offered by other wireless providers.
That means residents with wireless-enabled computers could use the Internet anywhere in the city. Teenagers could check their e-mail in Grand Avenue Park on a sunny afternoon. Drivers could search for maps and directions from parking lots. Residents in every home would have Internet access.Maverick is negotiating with the Snohomish County Public Utilities District to rent space on utility poles for wireless hardware. The routers will measure about 12 inches by 8 inches, Parker said.
If all goes well with the PUD, Maverick could have the first phases of wireless service operating within months.
"We want to do everything we can to support the request," said Lynn Parker, project manager for wireless facilities at the PUD.
Maverick would likely offer free wireless Internet for a limited period of time each day. Paid subscribers would get faster service, but those rates haven't been released. Schmelke said it would be cheaper than DSL or cable.
Schmelke's offer comes months after the Everett City Council first weighed its options for citywide Wi-Fi in January. Then, the council's attentions were focused on MetroFi, a California-based company that became the first to cover a city, Sunnyvale, Calif., with free Wi-Fi access last December.
MetroFi drew Everett City Councilman Drew Nielsen's interest at a National League of Cities conference last year.
Since then, MetroFi was awarded a contract to set up wireless service in Portland, Ore., a task Everett officials say has left their city low on the company's priority list.
That left the door open for Schmelke to make a presentation before the city's technology committee, led by Nielsen.
"We clarified early on that we are not talking about the city providing any service, so the city won't be in competition with anyone," Nielsen said. "This will be provided by private enterprise. The city's just facilitating it."
The majority of the city - Schmelke promises up to 99 percent - could have wireless by the end of the year, Nielsen said. Schmelke said his company would ultimately provide between 45 and 60 access points per square mile citywide.
Schmelke said his company would relocate to downtown Everett if the city becomes its first wireless project.
Maverick opened in 2003, but its staff has spent three years conducting tests on its own technology. So far, the company has been self-funded.
"We wanted to identify whether this technology could be used or sold in these environments, and whether Wi-Fi is really the technology for citywide wireless," said Schmelke, a former T-Mobile employee. "The results indicated that this is the right technology, but it has to be done well.""
Krista J. Kapralos - heraldnet.com
If you happen to be in the North end of Everett you might want to stop into "Neighbor's Coffee" at 1502 Rucker Avenue. It's an independent, homey, comfortable - sandwich and coffee shop in a residential area of Everett. They have lots of space - overstuffed chairs and couches to relax, visit, read or just hang out.
Providence Hospital donated the land at 13th and Colby to the city , making it an official city park. This .7 acre space has been used as a neighborhood park for sometime. It's a grassy field with a gazebo, trellis and kids playground equipment courtesy of the local neighborhood association. It's a nice space for picnics, ball games or other community gatherings.
Sorticulture is June 16 and 17 at Legion Memorial Park.
