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.ter. <br />W <br />T <br />WASHINGTON <br />HISTORIC <br />TRUST pRRI SERVAT I ON <br />February 3, 2005 <br />Dave Koenig <br />City of Everett <br />Planning and Community Development Dept. <br />2930 Wetmore, Ste 8A <br />Everett, WA 98201 <br />Via: Email <br />Re: Providence Hospital Comprehensive Plan Change and Rezone <br />Dear Members of the Planning Commission: <br />Please accept this letter as formal comment by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation <br />(the "Trust'l regarding the proposed Providence Hospital Comprehensive Plan Change and <br />Rezone as related to the effects on the City of Everett's locally designated historic district, the <br />Donovan District. <br />The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation is a statewide, tax exempt 501(c) 3 non-profit <br />organization founded in 1976 to safeguard Washington's historic places through advocacy, <br />education, stewardship and collaboration. We work to be an effective problem -solver when local <br />preservationists need our help on issues that threaten historic buildings. <br />While no one can deny the importance of the role of Providence Hospital to the community, there <br />are other uses in the area that are just as significant. Its needs should be balanced with those of <br />the nearby Donovan District, Everett Community College, and downtown. The hospital is an asset <br />to Everett and the region but so is the Donovan District. From its beginnings, the Donovan <br />homes have provided quality affordable housing to residents of Everett. The district is significant <br />for helping tell the story of Everett's architectural and social heritage. <br />The proposed expansion of the hospital to the east would effectively destroy about one quarter <br />of the homes in the Donovan District.The se homes represent the core of the district. This action <br />goes against the City's own Comprehensive Plan, specifically Section III (Historic/Cultural <br />Resources) of the Urban Design Element of the Plan. <br />• Objective 6.2.3 states: "Encourage the retention of the significant historical and cultural <br />resources that foster community identity and pride. This may include revitalization of <br />older housing stock, preservation of neighborhood patterns, and the marking of <br />important sites." <br />Keeping the Donovan District intact would support this objective in the Comprehensive Plan. <br />The proposed demolition of twenty-one houses on the west side of the 1300 block of Oakes <br />Avenue rejects this objective by taking away community identity and pride and destroying <br />older housing stock that provides much needed quality, affordable residences. <br />• Policy 6.2.1 states: "Encourage traditional grid street patterns and other historic street <br />patterns in historic neighborhoods." <br />Again, keeping the Donovan District intact would support this objective in the Comprehensive <br />Plan. The proposed expansion of the hospital campus may require a street and alley vacation so <br />that new construction connects to the existing building. This would permanently alter the <br />1204 Minor Avenue • Seattle, WA 98101 • tel 206.624.9449 fax 206.624.2410 • wa-trust.org <br />