Everett’s ‘front-porch’ decision

EVERETT – City leaders appear poised to sell or lease for development more than 100 acres of prime property on Everett’s “front porch.”

At its meeting tonight, the City Council will decide whether to approve the sale or lease of the land between I-5 and the Snohomish River.

If the council approves freeing up the riverfront property for development, the city will call on prospective developers to provide ideas.

“I believe we’ll get a number of proposals that we’re going to be able to evaluate, and we’ll let our citizens participate in seeing them and really choosing the best of the best,” Mayor Ray Stephanson said Tuesday.

The application deadline for proposals would be Jan. 11.

The patch of land, formerly home to a landfill and the Simpson-Lee pulp and paper mill, is one of Everett’s crown jewels for several reasons, said Lanie McMullin, the city’s executive director.

It’s beloved because of its mill history and its proximity to the river, which provides not only waterfront access but also a woodsy setting and impressive views of Mount Baker.

It’s marketable because it’s one of the first things people see when driving north through Everett, McMullin said, which is why she calls it Everett’s “front porch.”

It’s valuable because it is one of the few remaining large sites available for development in the I-5 corridor, McMullin said.

“One hundred acres is a lot of room,” she said. “As one developer said, ‘You can create worlds on 100 acres.’ “

City leaders are hoping the property can serve a mix of uses, including residential, retail and public access.

The site’s retail possibilities are somewhat limited by Alderwood mall to the south and the Tulalip Tribes’ proposed upscale outlet mall to the north.

“We’re asking for a flagship development like no other – one with personality and character that actually provides us with a gateway,” McMullin said. “Ours has to be a very unique, entertainment-oriented lifestyle center.”

The city is looking for the best fit aesthetically, environmentally, economically and in “supplying us amenities that we do not have in our community,” she said.

City leaders say there’s no question that Bastyr University, a Kenmore-based college, could be one of those amenities. Bastyr, which teaches natural healing and health sciences, hopes to add educational and health services in Everett, possibly with a branch campus on the site.

City officials said interested developers would be advised that Bastyr will somehow figure into the site’s future.

Sandi Cutler, vice president for institutional planning and public affairs at Bastyr, said it’s exciting that Everett is moving to lease or sell the land and engaging potential developers.

“We have sent a letter to the mayor just affirming our interest in that site and that location, and our interest in working with developer candidates to incorporate what our plans would be with what their interests are,” Cutler said.

The city owns 200 riverfront acres but is developing half and keeping half the land in a natural state, Stephanson said.

The property is worth more than $4.6 million, but because part of it was a landfill, it may be more difficult and costly to develop than other sites. After the city spent $22 million cleaning up the landfill and mill site, much of it federal and state money, the property was given a clean bill of health a year ago.

After all that time, Olson for one is anxious to “get the property out there for the purposes of development.”

“We just want qualified people to give us their best ideas, their best thoughts about this place so it can be developed,” he said.

The City Council meets at 6:30 tonight at City Hall, 3002 Wetmore Ave.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Employees and patrons of the Everett Mall signed a timeline mural that traces the history of the 51-year-old indoor mall that was once considered the premier place to go shopping in the city. Thursday, March 20, 2025 (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Mall mural offers nostalgic trip into the past

Past and present Everett Mall employees joined customers Thursday to view an artistic timeline of the once popular shopping mecca.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen gives his State of the City address on Thursday, March 20 in Edmonds, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor talks budget at 2025 State of the City

Mayor Mike Rosen discussed the city’s deficit and highlights from his first year in office.

Public’s help needed to find missing Arlington man

The 21-year-old left the house Sunday night without his shoes, cell phone or a jacket, and was reported missing the following morning.

The Marysville Tulalip Campus on the Tulalip Reservation, where Legacy High School is located. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Marysville board votes to keep Legacy High at current location

The move rolls back a decision the school board made in January to move the alternative high school at the start of next school year.

The former Marysville City Hall building along State Avenue on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
City of Marysville, school board amend property exchange

The city will relocate its public works facility to the district’s current headquarters, which will move to the former City Hall.

Snohomish County Elections employees Alice Salcido, left and Joseph Rzeckowski, right, pull full bins of ballots from the Snohomish County Campus ballot drop box on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County to mail ballots for Edmonds, Brier elections

Registered voters should receive their ballots by April 9 for the April 22 special election.

A stormwater diversion structure which has been given a notice for repairs along a section of the Perrinville Creek north of Stamm Overlook Park that flows into Browns Bay in Edmonds, Washington on Thursday, July 18, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Edmonds Hearing Examiner decides on Perrinville Creek saga

The examiner revoked the city’s Determination of Non-Significance, forcing Edmonds to address infrastructure issues on the creek

Don Sharrett talks John Wrice through his trimming technique on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett barber school offers $5 haircuts — if you’re brave enough

Students get hands-on practice. Willing clients get a sweet deal.

Our Lady of Hope Fr. Joseph Altenhofen outside of his parish’s building that will be the new home of Hope ‘N Wellness on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Hope ‘N Wellness location to open Wednesday in Everett

Our Lady of Hope Church will host the social service organization at 2617 Cedar St. in Everett.

Amtrak Cascades train 517 to Portland departs from Everett Station on Saturday, Sep. 2, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Limited train service to resume on Amtrak Cascades

Trains will have less capacity for now, but service is expected to resume for some routes as early as Tuesday.

Marysville
Police: 66-year-old Marysville man dead from fatal stabbing

A neighbor found the man unconscious on the sidewalk as the result of an apparent stabbing. Police said they are looking for suspects.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Driver, suspected of DUI, hits WSP vehicle on I-5 near Everett

The trooper was blocking the HOV lane for a previous collision when his vehicle was struck Saturday morning.

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.