Category: Uncategorized

Everett’s “Cruzin’ to Colby” Car Show this Weekend

Carl Setzer

I have fond memories of cruising downtown Everett, back before the anti-cruise ordinance. What a great way to hearken back to those halcyon days…without all the traffic.

This is one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier car shows, drawing more people into downtown Everett than any other single event.  And, besides bringing over 190,000 people into downtown, more than $140,000.00 has been raised for local charities. Entertainment and helping the neighborhood? Truly a win/win!

Sunday there will be a “parade” of hot-rods and classic cars down Colby Avenue in the early afternoon. Then on Monday there’s the car show. Starting at 8:00 am, cars and vendors will line the streets. It’s quite the show!

All the details are available here:

http://www.seattlerod-tiques.com/Cruzin.aspx

 

A Lynnwood Eyesore Is Gone

Carl Setzer

Between 76th and 68th on 196th, South side of the street was this old, dilapidated building, which was just decaying due to neglect. This building one housed the Enterprise, years ago. Before that weekly was absorbed into the Herald. Later in its useful life, it became an AA meeting hall. Finally, though, it became uninhabitable. Boarded up for years, it housed graffiti, pretty vandals, and drugs. Fencing it off simply slowed things them by a few minutes. As time wore on, ownership ignoring the space had me convinced this would either simply collapse from decay, or catch fire.

Yesterday, though, driving past, the building was crashed. Clearly deliberate work. I’m glad to see the space finally being cared for. The space really brought down the area, which is otherwise pretty nice.

I’ve wondered if there was soon be legal issue being wrangled for the space. Those sorts of things can drag on for years, and often are why one sees terrible properties sit for ages. Who will be benefit from it, who will pay? Things that must be figured out before work can even start. And, there always the chance the City ordered the work done and will the seek a judgment against the owners.

Anyway, I’m quite pleased the eyesore is gone. And I look forward to finding out what will go in.

Critical Communication

Carl Setzer

A sad moment this morning when one of our cooperating agents notified us about problems. Basic ones, really: some of the required signatories on the contract were hard to reach. The challenge, though, was this  offer was for a HUD owned home, with pretty rigid deadlines. However, they’re not ironclad. But waiting until a day or two past the due date to notify that there are problems isn’t effective. Sadly for the buyers on this one, HUD cancelled the contract. They can rebid, and have a decent chance of getting it with the same bid, but the bidding process will be opened to everyone again. Thus, they do have a real chance of losing out to someone else.

It’s important to note that, given lead-time, a time extension could have been granted. So, the lesson to take-away: communicate early, especially if there are problems. Please…

Bank Owned Properties and Condition Disclosures

Carl Setzer

My team focuses on what are known as REO, or Bank Owned properties (that includes government owned ones, too, fyi). One thing that comes up from time-to-time is on the form 17, which is the disclosures sheet. In a “normal” transaction, the seller will fill this form out stating the current state of the property, itemizing any issues.

Since the bank took over the property in a foreclosure and has never occupied it, they have no knowledge of the property’s state. Thus, nothing to disclose, thus (2) a blank form. There is a spot, on the last page (page 5) to “waive” this form (we go the additional step to add lines on the form and such, to make it abundantly clear). Several institutions (ie: HUD) won’t sign as sellers, but we collect the buyer’s side for the sake of state compliance.

Form 17

So, to sum up: banks “don’t know nothin'”, thus cant’ disclose “nothin'”.

 

July 1st Bringing Significant New School Snack Standards

Carl Setzer

 

Just got this via email from the Edmonds School District. There are some pretty big changes a-coming, so I’ll share in full for your edification.

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New Federal “Smart Snacks in School” Will Impact Vending, Fundraising

Effective July 1, food sold to students will be under new, restrictive nutritional requirements

The District must comply with new federal USDA nutrition regulations regarding food and beverages sold on campus to students during the school day. Called “Smart Snacks in School,” students will see new food and drinks in vending machines, student stores and school meal a lá carte lines. Additionally, food-based fundraisers must comply with these new federal requirements frommidnight until 30 minutes after a school’s scheduled end time.

Regulations require foods sold to be low in calories, sugar and salt with more focus on whole grains, fruits and vegetables. The new regulations will take effect July 1.

Board Director Gary Noble asked what vending machine companies are doing to supply school districts statewide. Stewart Mhyre, Executive Director of Business and Operations, said vending machine companies “are scrambling” to come up with appropriate packaging for new products.

Board President Diana White expressed concerns about the financial impact to Associated Student Body (ASB) groups.

Mhyre said there are two large financial concerns related to this change. As much as $150,000 in a lá carte sales in the school meals program could be lost, which represents 3 percent of the food services overall revenue. The program already operates on slim margins, Mhyre said. Additionally, he added, ASB leaders worry they could lose as much as half the revenue they currently earn from items sold in vending machines.

 

Lynnwood’s Changing

Carl Setzer

It’s been a rough couple of years along the 196th Street corridor. With Alfy’s, Prime Pacific, Amante, and now Celtic Bayou vacant (along with several other major storefronts in the general area), it’s been a bit worrisome. Most of the rest of that strip, though, seems to be strong. Which is good news for the city. I’m pleased to see work being done around there.

Verdant’s efforts to launch their new space this Spring (in the old Prime Pacific Bank building) seem to be moving along nicely. That should be a great space for Verdant’s on-going work. It’s pretty solidly covered by transit, and seems to have adequate parking.

I’m not at all certain what the new owners plan to do with the old Amante restaurant space, though it’s pretty clear they’re doing some drastic work. Whether they’re fixing it up to attract interest, or if they have a tenant and it’s being readied for their use, I’m not sure. I hope for the latter, since it’s good for all of us to have those spaces used. It looks like Alfy’s is up for any sort of adoption you’d like. They dropped a huge banner that covers the old Alfy’s sign (all the way to the ground). It’s sure a funky space, though pretty big. I’m trying to remember if it’s 3 or 4 floors. Not traditionally laid out, with flowing access to the different spaces/floors. I remember (seems like eons ago) there being a huge video arcade in the lower room. That’s the space which was recently used for banquets. Anyway, I’d love to see someone make something great there.

That’s what I noticed this week. How about you?

New Life At Lynndale

Carl Setzer

Quite the elaborate construction area around the Lynndale amphitheater. I’m realizing that I don’t remember the last time I saw real work here. At this point I can see they’ve replaced the long non-functional light over the theatre. The ripped up topography makes think they’ve got quite a bit of work planned. I look forward to seeing the final product.

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Ever growing Lynnwood

Carl Setzer

I’ve been watching the buildings going up on Ash Way just of the freeway in Lynnwood. Earlier this week, I finally drove past. My God, these things are huge! 5 floors of apartments above several levels of parking. And several building; 7, 8… just couldn’t look closely enough. But a huge number of apartments are about to hit the market there.

There are a number of other developments coming on along 164th in North Lynnwood (unincorporated Snohomish County), too. This should make that area, with its already sluggish traffic, even more joyous.

My hope is the proximity to two Park and Ride lots will divert some of that traffic. And their closeness to shopping, too, might impact that. Yet, we must expect traffic along that stretch to become even more congested. I guess the main solution will simply be avoidance combined with tolerance. Perhaps.

#Everett’s April Pools Day : April 19

Carl Setzer

Spring is upon us. Time to make sure those water skills are up-to-date.

Water safety and fun go hand-in-hand on April Pools Day 
Experience how fun it can be to feel safe in the water at April Pools Day, Saturday, April 19.  All ages are invited to practice water safety skills from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Forest Park Swim Center; 802 E. Mukilteo Blvd. 
 
Participants can play games, try on a life jacket, ride in a kayak, and learn safety tips for playing in and around the water.  Safety skills learned at this event could help save a life. Admission is a canned food donation to support local food banks or a monetary donation to support the Park Scholarship Program.
 
This annual event is presented by Everett Parks & Recreation in cooperation with the Drowning Prevention Coalition.
 
For more information, call Everett Parks and Recreation at 425-257-8300, ext. 2, or visit  www.everettwa.org/parks. 

Sunday Pitch, Hit &Run Event this Sunday in #Everett

Carl Setzer

The Everett Parks & Rec has some fun opportunities this Sunday for the young baseball/softball players in your life.
  
 
Kids compete at PitchHit&Run event
Swing into action at PitchHit&Run, a free competitive event for boys and girls ages 7-14.  This skills event takes place Sunday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Phil Johnson Ballfields, 400 W. Sievers Duecy Blvd., Everett.
 
Participants can pitch strikes to a designated target, hit from a stationary batting tee for distance and accuracy and run from 2nd base to home plate.  This event is the first of four levels of competition.  Other levels include Team Championships at Major League Ballparks and the PHR National Finals at the 2014 MLB All-Star Game.
 
For more information, contact Phil Rognier at FirstSwing Foundation: 425-451-8276, phrog38@hotmail.com or visit www.mlb.com/phr. Hosts: FirstSwing Foundation and Everett Parks & Recreation