EVERETT, JULY 17: The Port of Everett has seen already an increase in economic development in the past year alone and is expected to see more in 2025. The Port is looking to add residential housing, more businesses and recreational activities to the Port District.
Last night at the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County’s Port Report, officials from the Port of Everett shared completed and ongoing projects that will impact the overall quality of life in Everett. This year the Port Report had an emphasis on the ballot measure for expanding the Port’s boundaries.
If passed, the port district boundaries would include most of Snohomish County, allowing them to invest and operate projects outside of the current boundaries. Currently, 15% of the county has access to port tools and investments. Passing this measure would allow the port to continue its economic and community advancements throughout the entire county, according to its website.
Currently, properties within the port boundary pay a levy rate of 18.8 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. If the measure passes those within the new boundary are included in paying the levy rate, according to the Everett Herald.
The port has mostly completed its clean-up efforts of the mostly contaminated waterfront, allowing for the redevelopment projects we see today. Since the early 2000’s the port has contributed $33 million to clean-up efforts.
The Port is restoring former mill sites into sustainable, 21st-century job-producing hubs to support trade and industry at the working waterfront. The former Bay Wood lumber mill property is expected to create 300 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs.
Currently, there are three phases in the development plan, with one foot in the first and the other in the second. There are five development districts in the works. Fishermans Harbor, Craftsman District, Millwright District, Esplanade, and Wharfs Edge.
“People have been waiting a long time for this,” Lisa Lefeber CEO/Executive Director said, “and they are anxious for things to change.”
Last year the port welcomed Fishermans Jack’s, South Fork Baking Co. Sound 2 Summit, The Muse, Woods Coffee and Jetty Landing Playset to the Waterfront.
The Port last month announced a 15.2 million contract to bring two new multi-tenant buildings along the Fisherman’s Harbor. The buildings are bringing in Rustic Cork Wine Bar, Menchies and Alexa’s Cafe. The groundbreaking for these buildings is Tuesday, July 23.
In Fisherman’s Harbor, the port plans on a year-round fish market called the “Net Shed.” Next to it, the port is looking to put in a Mexican restaurant Lefeber said.
The port announced that the Foss Tidelands were recently donated to them and are looking to create beach access through dredge disposal, similar to Jetty Island.
The port district has three funnels of profit from the international shipping terminal, the marina, and real estate. Currently, the port supports 40,000 jobs in the county, which contributes more than $430 million annually to the state and local tax rolls. The two largest employers contributing to these jobs are The Boeing Company and Naval Station Everett.
The Port recently completed $150 million in investment to both industries by adding container cranes to support future Boeing 777-X distribution.
“Our job is to create jobs,” Lefeber said. The port contributes around 8 billion to the economic value of the region.
In May the port welcomed the Maritime Institute, which will provide certifications for maritime careers in the Pacific Northwest. Previously students would have to travel to California or Canada to receive certification.
Lefeber announced that their ecology efforts for Blue Heron Slough have seen five different fish species in an area that was diked and drained.
The port owns 3,400 acres of property, with more than half of the port’s properties “dedicated to habitat” according to the presentation at the Port Report.
In terms of sustainability, the Port has received a $5 million grant to implement electrification into the pier, replaying the diesel generator. The project is estimated to save 640 tons of CO2 per year, Lefeber said.
