City Of Everett Administration Says Intent Is To Demolish Waits Motel & Build Residential Housing

After our story yesterday on a request by Everett, Washington Mayor Cassie Franklin for the Everett City Council to pass a resolution authorizing condemnation of the Waits Motel at their meeting Wednesday night we received many requests on what may happen with the property.

Today we received an answer. Here are the questions we submitted along with answers as well as a press release from the City on plans for the property.

Question to Simone Tarver with Public Information at City of Everett: After doing the story yesterday on the Wait’s Motel condemnation request there were several rumors repeated on social media that the City was planning to use the Wait’s to house sex offenders and the former 7-11 store as an operations office. At one point Mayor Franklin got on the comment thread and said that was not the case which leads me to ask on the record:

Q: What is the City’s plan for the Waits Motel property?
A: The City of Everett intends to acquire the property, demolish the structures and work with a developer to redevelop it with residential housing.

Q: Is similar action planned for other motels which have similar track records of ongoing criminal and drug activity?
A: We are aware of the challenges at other properties in our community. At this time, the City of Everett is focusing on the Waits Motel property because it has been a nuisance for many years. Because of the costs associated with this, we only have resources to take action on one property at this time. However, this could be something considered in the future for other similar properties.

Additional: Any additional information you can provide about the requested action of Everett City Council on Wednesday would be greatly appreciated.
A: The City of Everett is not considering using the property for sex offender housing.

Here is the Press Release supplied by the City of Everett with the answers to our questions.

City of Everett considers condemnation of Waits Motel

Mayor Franklin directed staff to bring a resolution to Council this week to condemn this property, which has been a hub for violent crime and drug activity.

EVERETT, WA – In response to decades of concerns raised by neighbors and data documenting a significant amount of illegal activity and drug activity, Mayor Franklin directed staff to bring a resolution to Council this week for condemnation of the ‘Waits Motel’ located at 1301 Lombard Avenue.

The City of Everett intends to acquire the property, demolish the structures and work with a developer to redevelop it with residential housing.

The Waits Motel has been a habitual issue and poses a severe risk to public health, safety and the community’s welfare. Between March 1, 2022, and June 1, 2023, the Everett Police Department responded to 236 calls to 911 for issues occurring at this location, requiring excessive police resources.

Over that period, there were numerous instances of violent crime, including drive-by shootings, and illegal drug activity that continue to pose a significant risk to the neighborhood.

In addition, the lack of working smoke detectors or a fire alarm and confirmed methamphetamine and fentanyl contamination in at least four rooms is hazardous for those inhabiting the property.

State law allows the City to condemn property that constitutes a blight on the surrounding neighborhood, and there is significant evidence that this property meets the criteria. Because the property owner has habitually not addressed these serious, recurring issues, the City of Everett is considering the tools available, including condemnation, to mitigate the risks to the greater community and return the site to positive use.

A resolution seeking Council’s approval to move forward with condemnation of 1301 Lombard Avenue is on the City Council agenda for Wednesday, July 12, 2023. If adopted, a condemnation ordinance will be brought to City Council with potential action on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.