Port of Everett resumes waterfront development

EVERETT — Several years after a more ambitious plan went bust, the Port of Everett is resuming development of waterfront land — this time retaining control and developing 45 acres in phases.

The $400 million Port Gardner Wharf development was stalled in 2007, before construction, by financing problems and the developer’s eventual bankruptcy proceedings.

With that dust settled, the Port of Everett’s three commissioners last week agreed on a strategy to build a mixed-use marina community that emphasizes boating, maritime business, jobs and public access.

The plan is not yet in writing. The port has hired Dykeman, an Everett design firm, to do the necessary months of planning for $511,000.

“We want to create an activated space for the whole community — whether they boat or not,” said port Commissioner Troy McClelland.

Plans include a village center that would serve as the heart of what is known as the Marina District. The focus of development will be a parcel between 15th and 12th streets, along West Marine View Drive.

The village would include apartments, restaurants, small shops, a boutique hotel, a clubhouse for marina tenants, an information office and a place for short-term marina guests to tie up their boats. It would be built south of 13th Street, in the area where Scuttlebutt Brewing Co. used to be.

Today that area is a mishmash of weathered buildings, parking lots and fenced-off storage. The buildings are scheduled for demolition at the end of this month, in preparation for environmental clean up.

The plan, which was described by the consultants at the commission’s regular meeting last week, calls for significant upgrades to nearby North Marina, including moorage for commercial vessels, guest moorage and an area of open water for small sailboat classes.

The failed Port Gardner Wharf development was a massive plan led by one developer. This time, the port itself would serve as master developer. That’s an important change that should enable the port to have control over how and when development happens, McClelland said.

“We can take this on in phases so we don’t overextend ourselves,” he said.

The port would form partnerships with multiple private companies, which would develop buildings on site.

Nearby, the port would like to build an employment center of office space, light manufacturing and other types of business.

Closer to the water, the port plans a large, open space for the public. There’s grass and weeds there now.

The nearby Everett Yacht Club would be transformed into a hospitality area that might include conference space and a hotel. It’s not clear where the yacht club would go — or if it might stay in place — and the port is working with the club on other locations.

The port hasn’t yet broached how to pay for the work or even how much it might cost. That’s an issue to be considered later this year.

The strategy that port commissioners approved calls for a staggered approach: Workers could get started on the marina work, village and hospitality area as early as 2014; the employment center and other improvements would come as money and the economy allow.

Port officials had high hopes for the Port Gardner Wharf project, which would have put as many as 660 condos and a mix of commercial and office buildings near the waterfront.

The port teamed up with Maritime Trust of Chicago in 2000 in a deal in which both parties would spend money and share the profits.

The plan began to unravel in 2009 when Everett Maritime, a subsidiary of Maritime Trust, filed for bankruptcy protection, a casualty of the economic downturn. The developer couldn’t find financing.

The next year, the port opted to terminate the contract with Maritime and scrap the project.

Even then, port staff and commissioners talked about going back to the drawing board.

Commissioner McClelland said it makes sense to lay the groundwork now for future development, since the port plans to redevelop the land at some point. Cleaning up brownfields isn’t going to get cheaper or easier, he said.

The port already has invested at least $83 million in improvements. Those include a marina for larger boats, a commercial area for marine businesses called the Craftsman District, environmental cleanup, and creation of a new street and trails.

Some improvments, such as rebuilding the bulkhead in the marina, would have been necessary in any event, said port spokeswoman Lisa Lefeber.

In the case of the new $9.6 million Waterfront Center, where Scuttlebutt Brewing Co. and the port’s offices are now, the port stepped in to pay the bills for work it deemed was necessary for the success of the port.

Lefeber said much of what’s reflected in the strategy incorporates ideas gathered from people’s comments, particularly an advisory group.

People told the port that housing shouldn’t be as dense as in the wharf plan, and the area needed a larger space for the public, Lefeber said. They also suggested that the area should become a destination for boaters and boating activity. Shops and other businesses need to support the marina, they said.

The city and the port have a development agreement passed in 2005 which might require small changes — or the port might need to start from scratch, said Allan Giffen, Everett’s planning and community development director.

The port is paying a consultant half a million dollars to rework the Port Gardner Wharf plan — including all of the new marina work.

Next, the consultant is to examine case studies of similar projects elsewhere. By fall, the port hopes to have a more solid plan in place that includes financing.

Debra Smith: 425-339-3197; dsmith@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

State Attorney General Nick Brown's office posted a release announcing $720 million in nationwide settlements with eight drugmakers that manufactured opioid pills and worsened the nationwide opioid crisis. The state could receive more than $16 million, the release said. (Ryan Berry/Washington State Standard)
Snohomish County to receive portion of latest $16M opioid settlement

While the amount of money is still unknown, funding plans are already in place to help with drug abuse prevention, treatment and education.

District 2 candidates differ in public safety approach

Incumbent Paula Rhyne is facing challenger Ryan Crowther. The third candidate, Jonathan Shapiro, is no longer seeking the seat.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

From left to right, Edmonds City Council Position 3 candidates Joseph Ademofe, Alex Newman and Erika Barnett.
Amid budget crisis, Edmonds City Council candidates talk revenue, affordability

Three newcomers are facing off for Position 3 on the council, currently held by council President Neil Tibbott.

Everett
Everett approves new fines for non-emergency lifts

The fire department will only issue fines for non-emergency lift assists at licensed care facilities, not for individuals at home calling 911.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.