Community Health and Safety Committee Meeting on Baker Heights Update - June 4, 2026
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Community Health and Safety Committee Meeting on Baker Heights Update - June 4, 2026
Note: The agenda lists this meeting as June 3, 2026, but the provided date is June 4, 2026. The summary uses the provided date. The Community Health and Safety Committee (Councilmembers Tuohy, Bader, and Weir) met to receive an update from the Everett Housing Authority (EHA) regarding the Baker Heights site, covering background, current safety measures, hazardous materials, funding challenges, and future plans.
Discussion Items
- EHA Presentation: Executive Director Sarah Smith (fifth ED in three years) stated demolition is the agency's number one priority. She noted the site consists of 43 structures (about 190 units) on 12 acres, built in the 1940s, vacant since 2019, with hazardous materials (asbestos, lead-based paint). The long-term vision is a multi-phase mixed-income, mixed-use neighborhood with up to 1,500 homes and 70,000 sq ft of non-residential space.
- Current Safety Measures (Erica, Property Management): Described harm reduction efforts: re-boarding units with a more secure system, resuming Everett Police Department foot patrols (three arrests on day two), coordinating with the Fire Marshal, developing an internal hotline and FAQ scripts for community, and enhanced staff safety protocols including mental health training. The community garden is maintained.
- Hazardous Materials & Demolition Progress (Kristen Kane, Development): Reported that full HUD approval for demolition was obtained in 2024 after years of negotiation. A bid package for abatement and demolition is complete; estimated cost is $10 million. EHA submitted nine funding applications (congressional, state, EPA Brownfield grant for $4M), but none have been successful yet. The EPA Brownfield decision is expected within weeks. EHA is exploring internal resources and creative partnerships with the city.
- Park District Project Status: In response to Councilmember Bader's questions, EHA confirmed the master plan still stands but a development consultant will assess feasibility and financial viability. The first phase (PD2) was designed for market-rate units, with no income restrictions. Councilmember Bader expressed skepticism about market demand. Councilmember Weir asked about homeownership options and replacing the original 190 Section 8 units; EHA noted the requirement to replace 244 income-restricted units citywide (not on-site) and that no homeownership is in the current plan.
- Broadway Plaza Safety: Councilmember Bader raised concerns about safety and security at Broadway Plaza, suggesting unarmed security. Smith responded that EHA is not planning on-site security at this time, but lease enforcement is a priority despite legal challenges. She noted security cameras and monitoring are in place.
- Jail Tour Takeaways: Councilmembers shared observations from a recent tour of the Snohomish County Jail, including a new drug-sniffing dog, challenges with fentanyl withdrawal care, and staffing shortages.
Key Outcomes
- No formal votes or decisions were taken; the committee received the update.
- EHA continues to pursue funding for demolition; will hear on the EPA Brownfield grant within weeks.
- The committee added a "Standard of Care Study" to the future agenda.
- Meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon and welcome, um, Councilmember Twee. This is our community health and safety council committee meeting on June 3rd, 2026. Uh, with me this evening, I have Councilmember Weir and Councilmember Vader. Tonight we have one thing on our agenda, and that's the Everett Housing Authority update. So, right now I'm going to turn it over, introduced to the executive director, Sarah Smith. Welcome. Thank you. Okay, that's better. Okay, got it. Thank you. Okay, we have a presentation that we um have presented that we can share while we walk through. So I don't mind. Okay. There we go. Thank you. All right. Thank you for having us here today. I am Sarah Smith. I'm the executive director. I'll kind of give an overview of what we have planned for our presentation, and then I'll jump right in. So I'll start with our background and uh the vision for the Baker Heights. Um, and then I have Erica here with me, who is our director of property management. She's gonna walk us through what we're doing right now to manage the site. Um, and then we'll pass it along to Kristen Kane, who is our director of asset management and development. She's gonna talk us through details of abatement, demolition, and the next steps. Um before you proceed, I just I want to address that. Um, I don't want to make any assumptions about how much folks know about the Baker Heights district. So I'm gonna give some background and forgive me if you already know. You probably know more than I do. I am new in this position. I've been here about six months. So I do want to address the um leadership instability that the Everett Housing Authority has experienced over the past three years. Um, I am the fifth executive director in that time frame. So Ashley Lawmers Johnson resigned in his interim. John Forth Scythe fell ill, and then um major came and uh resigned, and then Mary came and was an interim until I arrived in November of last year. I am thrilled to be here. It's a wonderful agency and an excellent community. I'm a Pacific Northwest native, so this community is home to me. Um, though I'm not from Everett, I'm from the South Sound Tacoma. I've spent time working in Seattle at the Housing Authority there. I am just, this is my line of work. I love it here. I'm I'm committed. And what I've seen in the last six months gives me excitement and gives me joy. Although there has been some instability at the housing authority over the past few years. I can confidently say that we are on solid ground and we are ready for what's next. Um, the housing authority is supported by a very dedicated and talented team, and I am thrilled to have two of them here with me today to help with this presentation. So, with that being said, um I you you want to do for okay, thank you. Appreciate it. Well, maybe.
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