Shoreline Water District purchases church land for maintenance facility

Abridged from the Shoreline Water District blog

When The Northwest Church announced its intention to move to a new and larger Lynnwood location next year, Shoreline Water District agreed to purchase the church’s existing 3.2 acre site in order to address their long-standing maintenance facility needs.

Shoreline Water District has long been searching for property that would enable the District to update its maintenance facility. They explored a variety of options, including the purchase of several parcels adjacent to their existing facility, as well as co-locating with other local governments on a different parcel in Shoreline.

When the option for purchasing the church property arose, it was quickly apparent this was the best possible choice.

Located immediately southwest of Hamlin Park, off 15th Avenue NE in Shoreline, the 3.2 acre parcel is amply sized, conveniently located near the District’s current Administration Office, has little or no use restrictions (such as wetlands or steep slopes), and offers two ingress/egress points which would allow larger vehicles to drive through the site with ease.

Shoreline Water District’s sound financial position enabled them to pay cash for the church’s land and its existing facility. Shortly after contract was signed, the District began exploring whether the church’s existing facilities could be readily converted for maintenance facility needs, or if a new facility would need to be constructed.

Shoreline Water District has asked three architects from their roster to look at the possibility of reusing the existing structures or building new.

"We look forward to getting to know our new neighbors and getting input from them, as we go through the renovation or design and construction of our new facility."

Funding for any identified construction needs is already covered.

“There will be no increase in water rates arising from the purchase and construction of a new maintenance facility,” states Larry Schoonmaker, President of Shoreline Water District’s Board of Commissioners.

The District also anticipates selling its existing maintenance facility site, located at 15th Avenue NE and NE 169th Street, likely within the next 24 months, once construction is complete.

If you have any questions about Shoreline Water District’s new maintenance facility property located just southwest of Hamlin Park in Shoreline, contact Diane Pottinger, PE, District Manager at 206-362-8100.