March 8, 2016

Historic Everett building must be moved to new site in Boxcar Park

Photo courtesy of the Port of Everett [enlarge]

The Gothic-style structure, designed by Carl Gould, was erected in 1923 at Weyerhaeuser’s first Everett plant.

The Port of Everett wants to hire a firm to move the historic Weyerhaeuser Building at the port's south marina to Boxcar Park in the central marina.

Bids are due March 22, according to a notice in the March 1 DJC. Bidders must attend one of two pre-bid meetings, at 2 p.m. today or 10 a.m. Thursday, at 1205 Craftsman Way.

The move and related work are estimated to cost between $675,000 and $825,000.

Port spokeswoman Lisa Lefeber said the Weyerhaeuser Building will be the “iconic building” in the new Boxcar Park. The park is part of Waterfront Place Central, the 65-acre mixed-use complex the port is planning. Lefeber said the project is expected to have about $350 million in private investment, and $40 million in public investment.

The Weyerhaeuser Building will be used as a clubhouse by boating clubs, and the port will construct an outdoor performance venue on the back of the building in 2020.

It was the headquarters of the local chamber of commerce until the 1990s. Lefeber said the port is moving it now because a pedestrian bridge planned by the city on the route will be too low for the building to pass.

The Gothic-style structure was erected in 1923 at Weyerhaeuser's first Everett plant. Architect Carl Gould designed the 6,000-square-foot, one-and-a-half story building to showcase local wood such as fir, cedar and hemlock. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Weyerhaeuser was Everett's largest employer for decades. The building was first at the company's Mill A plant, but after that was converted to a pulp mill, it was moved to Mill B on the Snohomish River in 1938. It was used for offices until that mill closed in 1979.

In 1983, the building was donated to the port and barged to its current home.