The Waits Motel, seen Saturday, June 15, is mostly rubble with some cleared away. The last building standing is the brick building that was the manager’s office and residence.
Photo by Michael Whitney.
EVERETT — Demolition crews working for the city have taken down most of the Waits Motel at 1301 Lombard Ave., the Tribune saw on Saturday.
The city obtained it through condemnation.
The site’s future is not formally known. Last year, the city said its overall goal would be to acquire the property, raze the site and then seek to resell the land to developers that would build a housing development, the city had said in a press release.
Final decisions on what to do with the property have not been determined, city spokeswoman Simone Tarver said. Until a plan's made, they’re not ready to consider marketing the land, she said.
Initially, the city tried to buy the Waits when it was on the open market but its purchase offer was declined. Months later in July 2023, the city administration decided to pursue condemning the Waits. A majority on City Council authorized. The city won a court case to complete condemnation earlier this winter, settling with a $1.85 million purchase price.
The $1.85 million price came through mediation in mid-December.
A real estate appraisal for the Waits showed a value of above $2 million.
