2016/09/14 Council Agenda Packet

Metro Everett Update Briefing September 1,2016 Development Incentives The city of Everett's 2035 growth targets accommodate very high growth assumptions of the Vision 2040 Regional Growth Strategy.The City committed to completing a Metro Center Plan that might "bend the trends"of historic development rates and densities. In addition, public input thus far has also shown that there is a desire for development that meets local community objectives. The following goals have been identified that need either financial or development incentives to be achieved, particularly if quicker results are desired. Incentive Goals: • Add 1,000 units of market-rate housing in Metro Everett in 7 years • Increase the inventory of housing for low-income households • Increase transit-oriented development and reduction of single-occupant vehicles(SOV) • Increase employment in Metro Everett • Create active,safe and clean Metro Everett Our draft proposals to achieve these goals include: • Expansion of existing city financial incentive programs • New city financial incentives(or significant expansion of an existing program) • New development incentives The draft report on these goals and incentives is attached to this memo. West End of Hewitt Avenue Place Making The western slopes of Metro Everett have enjoyed some robust development in the past ten years.The west end of Hewitt Avenue was identified as one of the target redevelopment areas due to a couple of factors: • Limited investment in building improvements • Extension of downtown and the Hewitt Historic District • Connection to waterfront • Site of the Everett Massacre 100 years ago City staff has worked with our consultant(Makers)to prepare a concept plan that improves this area. The concept plan (attached)focuses on achieving the following objectives: • Extension of the Hewitt Avenue streetscape (west of Rucker) • Creation of Hewitt Plaza at railroad to commemorate historic event(massacre), provide view of marine terminal area and to create a plaza extension for adjacent businesses • Improvement/creation of pedestrian and bicycle paths to access waterfront to address,at least temporarily,the at-grade crossing closures by BNSF 2 3