Port votes to deconstruct Collins building | Politics

The Port of Everett has decided to tear down the Collins building.

In short - it's because it's just too expensive to renovate.

The Port just finished a voluntary five-month review on the historic building, which re-affirmed the June 2009 decision to deconstruct.

"It's not a decision that came lightly to (the commissioners) by any means," said Lisa Lefeber, who's in charge of communications for the Port.

The review concluded the following:

• Total building development costs (exterior and interior improvements) are $11.2 million. 
• The capitalized value of the building is $1.73 million.
• The funding gap is a $9.49 million loss.

But the Collins building will live on.

Lefeber says by "deconstructing" the building, materials can be used throughout the community.

Historic buildings will get first dibs on any materials, and the rest will be sold to a re-use company with the proceeds going towards the renovation of the Port's Weyerhaeuser Building.

In addition, the Port will put together a display about the Collins building for the Snohomish County History Museum, and offer a narrative to trace the history of the building at its current site.

Lefeber says the property - located in the Port’s marine boat service district - will be used to "support operation and maintenance activities" for the marina.