Station will ‘multi-task,’ Locke says at ceremony

By KATE REARDON

Herald Writer

EVERETT – For sake of keeping with the times, just consider the planned Everett Station a place where you’ll be able to multi-task.

That means doing more than one thing at the same time, Gov. Gary Locke said at a ground-breaking celebration Thursday for the $44 million transportation station that should open in December 2001.

"Our modern world is so fast-paced these days, we’re forced to multi-task all day long," Locke said. "It only makes sense that our buildings multi-task too."

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Everett Station will be a place where folks can catch a bus, a class or a tip on a job opportunity.

Locke said never before have such diverse needs been met under one roof in this state.

Everett Station will also be an anchor for the redevelopment of the area near Smith Avenue and 32nd Street, Locke said.

"You’re going to see more high-tech computer companies come here," he said.

More than 100 people, including neighborhood residents, state and local officials, participated in the ceremony.

Wilder Construction, the company hired to build the station, will have crews start moving dirt within the next few weeks, said Paul Kaftanski, project manager who has worked on the station since 1993.

Everett Station’s 10-acre site will be a transportation hub for Sound Transit’s commuter rail, a passenger station for Amtrak and a crossroads for rail, bus, taxi and airport shuttles, as well as commuters with a park-and-ride.

Students will be able to take classes from universities including Washington State, Central, Eastern, Western and the University of Washington.

"We are going to be able to present the best of those universities right here in this center," said Larry Hanson, publisher of The Herald and a member of the state higher education committee.

WorkSource Everett, a career development service, and the state’s Employment Security Department also will be located at the station.

Everett Mayor Ed Hansen said the idea to combine the education element with the transportation station began with a visit a few years ago to Oakland, Calif., where a city-owned building offers a similar type of partnership. Hansen said the second light clicked once leaders saw the possibility to locate the consortium at the station.

Public art, a cafe and a meeting room that holds 200 also are part of the station plan.

Rep. Mike Cooper, D-Edmonds, said the new station is an example of the state’s future.

"I am proud to be from a county that has such vision," said Cooper, vice chairman of the House Transportation Committee. "Projects like this are what make Snohomish County such a livable community. This is smart, well-planned growth."

Convincing folks to get out of their cars and take another way to work is key to transportation challenges, Locke said.

"If everyone who uses the bus got back in their cars, there would be 350 miles of bumper to bumper from Everett to Montana," Locke said. "I look forward to the day we can cut the ribbon to open the doors to Everett Station, a center of mobility, promise and opportunity."

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Everett Historic Theater owner Curtis Shriner inside the theater on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Historic Everett Theatre sale on horizon, future uncertain

With expected new ownership, events for July and August will be canceled. The schedule for the fall and beyond is unclear.

Contributed photo from Snohomish County Public Works
Snohomish County Public Works contractor crews have begun their summer 2016 paving work on 13 miles of roadway, primarily in the Monroe and Stanwood areas. This photo is an example of paving work from a previous summer. A new layer of asphalt is put down over the old.
Snohomish County plans to resurface about 76 miles of roads this summer

EVERETT – As part of its annual road maintenance and preservation program,… Continue reading

City of Everett Engineer Tom Hood, left, and City of Everett Engineer and Project Manager Dan Enrico, right, talks about the current Edgewater Bridge demolition on Friday, May 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How do you get rid of a bridge? Everett engineers can explain.

Workers began dismantling the old Edgewater Bridge on May 2. The process could take one to two months, city engineers said.

Smoke from the Bolt Creek fire silhouettes a mountain ridge and trees just outside of Index on Sept. 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County will host two wildfire-preparedness meetings in May

Meetings will allow community members to learn wildfire mitigation strategies and connect with a variety of local and state agencies.

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helion celebrates smoother path to fusion energy site approval

Helion CEO applauds legislation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson expected to streamline site selection process.

Vehicles travel along Mukilteo Speedway on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mukilteo cameras go live to curb speeding on Speedway

Starting Friday, an automated traffic camera system will cover four blocks of Mukilteo Speedway. A 30-day warning period is in place.

Carli Brockman lets her daughter Carli, 2, help push her ballot into the ballot drop box on the Snohomish County Campus on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Here’s who filed for the primary election in Snohomish County

Positions with three or more candidates will go to voters Aug. 5 to determine final contenders for the Nov. 4 general election.

The Everett City Council on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett City Council approves apprenticeship ordinance

The new ordinance builds upon state law, requiring many city public works contracts to use at least 15% apprentice labor.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Stanwood in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Stanwood nears completion of deployable floodwall

The new floodwall will provide quick protection to the downtown area during flood conditions.

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former engineer: Snohomish County rushed plans for Eastview development

David Irwin cited red flags from the developers. After he resigned, the county approved the development that’s now stalled with an appeal

Steven M. Falk / The Philadelphia Inquirer / Tribune News Service
James Taylor plays Sunday and Monday at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville.
A&E Calendar for May 22

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Members of Washington State patrol salute the casket of slain trooper Chris Gadd during a memorial cremony on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Opening statements begin in trial of man charged in crash of WSP trooper

Deputy prosecutor described to jurors what began as a routine patrol for Christopher Gadd — “until it wasn’t.”

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.