Pacific Stone’s recognizable shovel-and-rake sign, seen May 2, might or might not move with the store when it relocates in the coming weeks.
Photo by Michael Whitney.
EVERETT — The Everett Housing Authority is designing an affordable housing apartment complex for seniors in the Port Gardner neighborhood.
The apartment complex is going to be built at 3826 Rucker Ave., the current home of Pacific Stone Company that’s relocating in the next few weeks. It’s moving to 2815 Nassau St., near the corner of West Marine View Drive and California Street.
The Housing Authority aims to begin construction in 2025 and open in 2027.
The complex is being built in a residential neighborhood, and some neighbors have expressed concern with the proposed height at six stories tall for some parts.
“The intent of the project is to fill the gap (in elderly housing) but also provide housing that’s in close proximity to a clinic,” the housing authority’s chief real estate officer Jason Morrow said in an interview. “The site is in close proximity to all the resources of the city’s that those seniors would need.”
There will be roughly 140 units within the building. Some units will be designated for tenants who earn 60% or less of Area Median Income, and others will be for tenants using subsidized project-based vouchers.
The Port Gardner Neighborhood Association held meetings in summer 2023 regarding the project after the design process began in late 2022.
“My take away from the meeting that we had with the Everett Housing Authority was (that it was) more of a presentation of what was going to happen versus what can we do to make this project palatable for the
neighbors,” Andrea Tucker of the Port Gardner Neighborhood Association said over email.
The housing authority is aware of the concern from neighbors.
“Most of the concern that we had was that we were sensitive to their properties and that we considered design considerations for what they would be looking at,” Morrow said. “We have included that concern into our design.”
Morrow confirmed that as the Everett land use code imposes a 35 feet height limit for buildings within 50 feet of property lines, the EHA will be following these codes with the complex’s construction. The Pacific Stone Company, where the complex is set to be built, is closing their Rucker Avenue location and relocating to 2815 Nassau St. in Everett. Owner Timothy Gray announced the relocation of the company on Feb. 2 online.
“I think it’s important for people to know that here with us there are no hard feelings that we’re having to move,” Gray said. “I do hope that the community and the people come to our new location. It’s not going to be the same, but it’s going to be the same products and the same people.”
The Housing Authority bought the property land in 2021. Gray said he felt it gave the company breathing room: They received a minimum of 18 months to relocate, and have remained on the property for two years after that first notice was given.
“It’s allowed us to find a place to move and allowed us to kind of acquaint customers that we’re moving,” Gray said. “We’ve been here literally for 25 years this month and we have become kind of a part of the community here, having been here so long, so people are, you know, they’re disappointed.”
Gray’s main concern with the move is the opportunity to relocate their shovel and rake sign. The sign was part of a “readerboard romance” between the landscape store and the Totem Family Diner down the street.
“We have the opportunity to relocate shovels and rakes but it’s not something we can afford, so we’re not sure what’s going to happen to the shovel and rake,” Gray said.
Gray gave a half-joking suggestion that people create a GoFundMe for the sign.
Pacific Stone aims to open its new location this June.
