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SITE <br />ANALYSIS <br />Introduction <br />The City of Everett engaged Ellerbe Becket <br />through a subcontract with Brailsford and <br />Dunlavey to develop a program and evaluate <br />alternative sites for a multi -purpose event center <br />for Everett, Washington. This site analysis <br />represents the third component of a four-part <br />feasibility study. <br />The following are included in this report: <br />• An overview of the project including a <br />description of the process, development <br />program and area space requirements.. <br />• Location and site criteria. <br />• Site requirements and alternatives. <br />• A discussion of Downtown sites for <br />development. <br />• <br />• A statement of probable construction cost. <br />Executive Summary <br />Development of a multi -purpose event center is <br />being considered as a way of keeping the Everett <br />community competitive with other northwestern <br />regional cities. Community and civic leaders <br />have embarked on this study for a new arena as a <br />way to enhance the quality of life by attracting <br />events and shows that currently do not come to <br />Everett. <br />A downtown Everett location is preferred. This <br />is consistent with national trends and with <br />planning efforts of the city. The Event Center is <br />seen as a way of leveraging current investments <br />in development in the downtown area. <br />Everett's efforts will be judged a success based <br />on the industry's eagerness to book events here <br />in the years to come. Thus, the facility must be <br />properly located to deliver a memorable and <br />enjoyable experience for those that attend. <br />An overview of our findings contained in this <br />report include: <br />• A multi -purpose event center if built, would <br />best be located on the Hewitt Ave site which <br />is bounded by Oakes Avenue, Broadway, <br />Hewitt Avenue and Wall Street. <br />• The total hard construction cost with FF&E <br />are estimated to be $36.8 million. <br />• Existing capacities of parking within a 15 <br />minute walk, one-half mile radius of the site <br />available evenings and weekends will <br />accommodate approximately 4,000 cars or <br />10,000 people. This exceeds the required <br />capacity of a sold out concert or hockey <br />event. Assumptions for parking exclude <br />dedicated parking for hotels, residential <br />buildings and private surface lots in the <br />downtown area. This fact is important in that <br />if the event center is built, no additional <br />parking will be required to support the <br />project. <br />• Creating a synergistic relationship between <br />the event center and downtown is a primary <br />goal of this project The recommended site <br />location will enable the facility to act as a <br />link between the Central Business District <br />and the new transit facility. <br />• The Event Center developed on the <br />recommended site can become an icon for <br />the city, an expression of civic pride, and a <br />catalyst for tourism and other downtown <br />development. <br />• <br />In practical terms, a downtown location <br />represents the highest return on public <br />investment already made in parking, traffic <br />and pedestrian friendly infrastructure. <br />• Locating the Event Center on the <br />recommended site will create a "pedestrian <br />friendly" urban environment which will <br />encourage patrons to come early and stay <br />Brailsford & Dunlavey/Ellerbe Becket <br />Page 21 <br />