2018/08/08 Council Agenda Packet

J t / \ EVERETT ELKS #479 2802 Hoyt Ave #100 Everett, WA 98201 • 425-252-4179 ,tSa ,v August 3, 2018 Everett City Council 2930 Wetmore Avenue, Suite 9A Everett,WA 98201 RE: EVERETT METRO PLAN Dear City Council, Elks Lodge No.479 has been in downtown Everett for over one hundred years. We have been a place of fellowship,philanthropy,and service in our community. Over the years,our club has given generously to servicemen,held popular annual events,given scholarships,and provided space for weddings,luncheons,and other service organizations. We are especially proud to have purchased and donated the land for Everett Memorial Stadium in honor of veterans who died in World War II. Today,while our membership has changed with the times,we continue to attract new members and play a positive role in Everett Unfortunately,like many other downtown organizations and businesses, our lodge has been adversely affected by public safety problems. Our members do not feel safe on the streets. Our doors are locked due to reoccurring vandalism and theft.Our banquet facilities are less desirable to rent due to negative public perceptions about downtown Everett While we have freely given aid and assistance to a community we love, now we must ask for your help. As part of the Metro Plan,we ask that you make public safety your highest priority and take concrete steps to change what is happening. Adopt restrictions on new social services and clinics. Give the downtown area a chance to recover and get back on its feet again. Recognize that placing too many social services in one place can cause harm ... and has caused harm Our members will testify to that fact. We also want to go on record in opposition to a drug treatment clinic being located on the 2800 Block of Hoyt Avenue. With the Everpark Garage across the street,there's a lot of*-