City of Everett Creating Evergreen Way Stakeholders Group

In the wake of complaints over the plans to put a low barrier housing facility near Pecks and Evergreen Way the City of Everett said it was going to form an “Evergreen Way Stakeholders Group”. While Evergreen Way runs from about 44th to the south city limits this group will focus on the area between 50th and Madison. Here’s more from a press release issued this morning by the city…

The City of Everett is developing a stakeholder group for community members along the Evergreen corridor between Madison Street and 50^th Street SE. The group will work with City staff to identify and implement potential improvements in the area, which includes the site of the planned Safe Streets Supportive Housing facility.

“As we’ve moved through the process of developing the facility, we’ve heard from residents and business owners who have concerns about existing issues in the neighborhood, and ideas for how to make the corridor safer and more attractive,” said Hil Kaman, public health and safety director. “We are looking for individuals who want to a part of those efforts going forward.”

Interested residents and business owners are encouraged to fill out an interest form on the City’s website, or call 425-257-7115 to request a form by mail. City staff will contact interested community members this summer to learn more about their ideas, questions and concerns. The stakeholder group is expected to begin formal meetings this fall.

“We know that there are many neighbors who are interested in the supportive housing project, and we hope that this group will be a productive opportunity for people to get involved as the project moves through construction,” said Kaman.

In addition to the housing project, the stakeholder group is expected to focus on several topics that have been raised by neighbors: traffic and pedestrian safety concerns; economic development; streetscapes; business-to-business connection and engagement; and public safety.

Safe Streets Supportive Housing project

The City is working with Catholic Housing Services to build a supportive housing facility on City-owned property at Berkshire Drive and Evergreen Way. The building will provide on-site services and case management for 65 chronically homeless individuals, many of whom struggle with mental illness and addiction.

The project is currently moving through the land-use review process and the City issued a final mitigated determination of non-significance on April 5; a public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, May 18, in the Weyerhaeuser Room at the Everett Station (3201 Smith Avenue).

To learn more about what the City is doing to address street-level social issues in Everett, visit www.everettwa.gov/safestreets.