2008/06/17 Council Agenda Packet

-,7-102e 1/ e-du_t i( ( June 17, 2008 Mayor Ray Stephanson Council Member Paul Roberts Council Member Mark Olson Council Member Arlan Hatloe Council Member Ron Gipson Council Member Drew Nielsen Council Member Brenda Stonecipher Council Member Shannon Affholter C/O City of Everett 2930 Wetmore Avenue Everett, WA 98201 Re: Downtown Revitalization & Parking Management Dear Mayor Stephanson &Council Members: Last month, you received a petition signed by downtown stakeholders who have been active in revitalizing Everett's urban core. Our petition requested you to adopt measures to improve management of existing parking resources and to plan for new public parking facilities that will be needed to support future growth. Since that time, our group has been joined by additional stakeholders who believe that a viable parking strategy is essential for the redevelopment and success of Everett's downtown area. We have attached a list of all stakeholders who have signed the petition to date. According to published news reports, the City of Everett signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Village Theatre in December,2007 regarding future development of the former Key Bank site. This MOU was executed prior to the completion of the parking study by Barney & Worth in May, 2008 which identified a need to create new public parking facilities to replace spaces lost to development and to accommodate future growth. The MOU was also executed before the Everett Theatre's financial difficulties became public knowledge in May, 2008. In light of information revealed by the parking study and the potential closure of a downtown icon,we believe the City of Everett should not proceed further with the Village Theatre at this time. While public funds have been invested in planning efforts for a new children's theater and public space at the Key Bank site, the amount of this expenditure pales in comparison to the harmful economic impacts to downtown businesses that will result if the City fails to provide adequate public parking facilities. The Barney &Worth study projects a need for a new public parking garage in three to five years; however, it makes sense for the City to plan for future needs over the next ten years. In such a scenario, it is likely that both the Key Bank site and the City's Wall Street Building parking lot would be needed for creating public parking facilities and vibrant public spaces. Each site is well suited for such purposes, and utilizing them would eliminate the need to take private property through an expensive and controversial eminent domain process. Page 1