![]() NW, is also in the floodplain, and it’s unlikely city officials could flood proof it even if they wanted to. “The dilemma here in the Northwest is when you elevate in the floodplain, which has very soft soils, you increase your risk in an earthquake,” he said.īuilding a new city hall outside of the floodplain is a long-term endeavor, Knight said. Raising a building presents other problems, as well, Johnson said. And that’s for a scaled-back project – a full renovation would cost about $620,000, and elevating the building would require up to $1.25 million more. However, the city council in September rejected all bids for remodeling the building because cost estimates came in at $303,000 or more. It’s overdue for updates to the Community Development Department, Finance Department, meeting room, restrooms, floors, paint and fixtures. NW, which was built in 1939 and overhauled in the 1960s. The city aims to renovate the building at 10220 270th St. Any improvements costing more than that would require raising the building about 8 feet, Community Development Director Ryan Larsen said. Stanwood City Hall hits the 50 percent limit at $192,000. That’s usually done by elevating the structure. One requirement is that new construction or renovations exceeding 50 percent of a building’s value must be flood-proofed. In return, the federal government makes flood insurance available for homeowners and business owners. Snohomish County has been part of the National Flood Insurance Program since 1984, which means the county enforces specific federal development requirements. I’ve walked into cities where the city hall and police department were wiped out by a flood, and I don’t ever want to see Stanwood be that city.” He has 18 years of experience working as a reservist with FEMA and specializes in floodplain management. That’s why Stanwood City Councilman Rob Johnson has made relocating Stanwood’s city hall and police department one of his highest priorities. Hubs for public services also can be considered critical facilities. The floodplain is no place for critical facilities such as hospitals or care centers, he said. “We’re not going to build another facility here.” “That’s just a nonstarter,” Robertson said. Residents would still need to leave if streets around the building are inundated, which would cut them off from emergency services. Some ask why the existing building at 9901 272nd Place NW can’t be elevated or otherwise flood-proofed, but that wouldn’t solve the problem, he said. The existing facility likely will continue serving as a day care for children and adults, or it could be converted into independent-living senior apartments, Robertson said. If that parcel doesn’t work out, the organization owns nine acres near the Costco in Smokey Point, which means they would be taking the core of their operations out of town. There’s some acreage uphill near the Haggen store where they might be able to build, but it depends on utility access and zoning. He hopes to stay in Stanwood, where Josephine Old People’s Home was founded. The goal is to relocate within five years. As a result, the Christian-based care organization will be moving out of the place they’ve been since 1908, Robertson said.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |