Everett City Council Postpones Vote on $11.4 Million Loan to Repair Old High School Roof

At a special meeting, the Everett City Council postponed consideration of an order to borrow $11,400,000 to replace the roof at the former Everett High School, 548 Broadway, and asked administration for additional analysis and a tour of the building before voting.

The mayor told the council he sought the funds to “repair the roof of the former Everett High School to continue to meet the educational and human service needs,” saying the city’s insurer will not continue coverage without a new roof. Project managers from Colliers and the architect on the project recommended establishing the $11.4 million budget to proceed to design and bidding. Derek Osterman, the owner’s project manager, said the estimate was based on a third‑party construction estimate and included contingencies and soft costs: “we do, in fact, encourage you to establish a budget of $11,400,000 to implement these necessary improvements.”

The meeting opened with public comment from five speakers. Peggy Serino told councilors, “Please vote no on this and support the children and say yes to Pope John,” arguing the city should not invest in an old building she described as containing mold, asbestos and lead. Maria Bussell said the building should be torn down rather than repaired, warning that the requested amount could escalate. Liliana Patino of the Elliott Family Resource Center described the range of free services provided in the building and urged officials to preserve those programs in Everett.

Councilors pressed the administration on several points: why repairs were not made earlier, the scope of the current assessment, hazardous‑materials testing and the project’s downstream costs. Officials said the city has patched the roof for years but insurers required a full replacement. Staff reported air quality testing for areas toured came back clean for asbestos and that testing for lead and additional environmental work were planned. The mayor said the building was decommissioned as a high school in 2007 but not condemned and that portions of the property are actively used by programs including the Elliott Family Resource Center, a wellness center and a boxing program.

City financial staff said borrowing $11.4 million over 20 years at roughly 4% would yield annual payments near $838,000 and about $5 million in interest; a 10‑year financing would raise annual payments and cut overall interest. Councilors asked the administration to present a targeted tax‑impact analysis and a fuller assessment of potential future costs, including heating system upgrades and hazardous‑materials abatement, before making a final decision.

A project timeline offered by consultants emphasized procurement urgency: bids should be issued in late winter to mobilize contractors for a summer construction window; missing that window, officials warned, could increase costs and delay work by a year. Councilors who opposed immediate action said they wanted all members present for a site tour and more clarity on long‑term use of the 400,000‑square‑foot building before committing tax‑exempt borrowing.

On a voice vote, the council approved a motion to postpone the borrowing order and accompanying resolution to the first council meeting in April (April 8). Councilors instructed the administration to arrange tours of the upper floors, prepare a tax‑impact and debt service analysis, and compile detailed cost information on utilities, maintenance, heating and insurance to inform the April discussion.

The meeting adjourned after the postponement motion carried.