If you have sufficient motivation, here are three pre-filled letters you can download to send out to the city planning commission, King County landmarks commission, and to Green Partners (the owner). Please be sure to add your own personalized message. The letter to Green Partners will have to be printed and physically mailed. Who knows? Maybe enough letters will convince them to pause demolition.
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Ideas
Here is a list of ideas for repurposing the space, which will generate income for both the property owners and the city. Tell me if you have more, or better, ideas in the survey!
Positive Income (can implement all at the same time)
Molbak’s store (129,350 sq ft in original plan) no longer planned; can be replaced with a higher revenue-generating space
Income for GP: lease, etc. ($unknown)
Income for City: property tax, (sales tax?)
Woodinville’s only Community Center (see also “Events” below):
Income for GP: lease ($unknown)
Income for City: sales tax
Events: holiday festivities (kringle & coffee), concerts, pop-up art galleries, plays, classes, weddings, birthdays, summer camp for kids, roller derby, club gatherings (book, garden, art, etc.), historical tours (plaques for free self-guided, charge for personal guide)
Income for GP: Entry fee (ticket), event fee, lease, service fee, rental space income ($50-$150/hr avg) avg event 1.5 hrs, can schedule multiple at the same time multiple days a week.
Income for City: sales tax
We-Work type of space
Income for GP: Monthly fee, lease ($200/mo/person avg)
Income for City: sales tax
Farmer’s Market (Year round, maybe daily depending on vendor interest)
Income for GP: lease, entry / booth fee ($unknown)
Income for City: sales tax
21 Acres/Oxbow Farms educational seminars using working / demonstration raised beds
Income for GP: rental space income ($unknown)
Income for City: sales tax
P-patch gardening space for community
Income for GP: raised bed p-patch seasonal fee ($50-100/person/yr avg)
Income for City: unknown
Long-term fence advertisements paid for by gardening & other brands
Income for GP: direct income from advertisements for use of property (billboard avg $5000+/moper advertisement [$1,000 (rural) - $14,000/mo (larger market)])
Income for City: sales tax
Wineries could start growing cuttings from their grape vines under the greenhouses for wholesale and/or retail? “Purchase our award-winning vines for your backyard”
Income for GP: lease ($unknown)
Income for City: sales tax
Reduced Expenses
Historic Landmark incentives include reduced property taxes proportionate to the cost of restoration work done (see more detail below. Current: $20,078.15; Est. reduced $19,175.38 min, potentially down to $11,050.45 ($9k annual savings)
Establish nonprofit to raise funds for overseeing operations and restoration / maintenance (see more detail below) ($0 out of pocket from owner for restoration)
Relatively-Low Impact on Original Plans
Arguably creates an even stronger draw to the residential units built around the preserved structures if it is a central hub of the community with lots of activity
Only affects 2 of 9 parcels, or 2 of 5 “phases” (2nd and 3rd) of original Development Agreement of June 2023.
Yes, it affects around half of the residential units proposed (640), but the vacant space that Molbak’s would have filled could create 129 additional units. What is more, the undecided 5th phase could potentially have an additional 120 units, reducing the number of residential units lost from 640 to 391. Don’t forget the positive income and reduced expenses above that can make up the difference.
Funding Sources for Nonprofit / Renovation
Membership fee, donations, fundraising, grants (4Culture, etc.), event fees, lease/rental space income
Grant monies by way of the Landmark Commission from private as well as local, state, and federal sources (KCC 20.62.120)
Loan & Grant monies for restoration due to being a non-profit (distinct from landmark funds)
Plant salvage / re-sell nursery to benefit nonprofit
“ ‘Incentives’ are such compensation, rights or privileges or combination thereof, which the council, or other local, state or federal public body or agency, by virtue of present or future applicable legislation, may be authorized to grant to or obtain for the owner or owners of designated landmarks.”
Does not require that the building be open to the public; GP can shut doors if it deems necessary
Tax relief / special valuation (20.62.140): Cost of rehabilitation is deducted from assessed value (less taxes)
Conditional use permits
Rezoning
Street vacation
Planned Unit Development
Transfer of development rights
Facade easements
Gifts
Preferential leasing policies
Private or public grants-in-aid
Beneficial placement of public improvements
Amenities
Other Reasons to Support Protection
Locals (and region) care about their historic icons and want to protect them
Protecting these structures will restore Green Partners' image in the community and beyond
Parking and access sucks for Farmer’s Market. This is a solution.
“Exhibit K: Public Benefits” section of the GP DA from June 2023 made a statement about Molbak’s “[continuing] its legacy as the premier home and garden destination in the Pacific Northwest, and that the project would have supported Woodinville’s vision “as a welcoming, family-friendly, and diverse community that supports a successful balance of neighborhoods, parks and recreation, businesses, and tourism. The Project is anticipated to draw over half a million visitors each year to the City of Woodinville, which promotes economic activity and jobs.” Molbaks was the main draw for the “half a million” visitors each year.
Notable Case Studies
Here is a list of notable case studies in which a landmark-designated historical property was successfully repurposed with a little creativity and ingenuity. Of course, none of these are a one-to-one, direct analogy to the Molbak structures, but taken comprehensively one can see how it is possible to make something beautiful that benefits everyone--property owner, city, occupying business, and community.
McMeneman’s, Bothell
Strong night life and draw for nearby residential units and local public
Pike Place, Seattle
Strong vendor, local, and tourist interest
Without looking, I can guarantee you that property values around Pike Place have gone up since restoration
Schoolhouse No 23, Woodinville
Schoolhouse district has strong draw
Honored the desires of the Woodinville Community to protect its history
Chateau Ste Michelle, Woodinville
Aside from Molbak’s, the biggest draw in Woodinville