Revitalization efforts require preserving history
The Mount Vernon City Council established a memorandum of agreement last week to OK the removal of seven historic buildings located west of Main Street.

Community and Economic Development Director Jana Hanson said the agreement has been a known step in the downtown master plan to revitalize downtown Mount Vernon for several months.

“There has been a lot of discussion as to what is necessary for us to move forward,” she said.

The agreement outlines a consensus between the U.S. Department of Urban Development and the Washington State Historic Preservation Officer.

Hanson said because the master plan is backed by federal funds, all steps must follow guidelines delegated by the National Environmental Policy Act. A prominent clause of that act is progress must be made with consideration given to all possible environmental impacts.

Councilman Dale Ragan said $20,000 has been budgeted into the master plan in order to analyze the historic value of impacted buildings and effects their removal could have on the city.

Studies have shown a particular historic value in the Eddy/Laughlin building located at 319 Main St. According to a study done in 2006 by the Skagit Information Management Systems, the building dates back as early as 1904.

The building was previously recognized by the National Register of Historical Places as a building worthy of preservation because of the siding used to construct it.

Under the MOA passed June 25, the Eddie/Laughlin building will be removed to make way for the 100-year flood wall, an essential part of master plan construction.

Pieces of the building deemed to have high architectural value will be salvaged, Hanson said in a telephone interview. Pieces of the siding will be given to the Skagit County Historical Museum for preservation.

Hanson told Council members there is a possibility the hand elevator within the building will also be donated.

Mayor Bud Norris described the agreement as a “necessary hoop to go through.”

“It appears frustrating at times, but when you accept federal money there are strings attached,” he said. “This is one of those strings.”

According to the MOA, should any other architectural or historical value be discovered during demolition, work will stop immediately to ensure no artifacts are lost.