Even though it was billed as a Port of Everett Update, the club has not had a previous program on the Port of Everett. On Thursday, April 14, we heard from Catherine Soper, the Port's Communications & Marketing Director. She happens to live in Arlington and started her presentation by telling us how much her family loves the Splash Pad!
Catherine Soper-Port of Everett
The Port of Everett is a special purpose municipal district that is over 103 years old. It is governed by three elected commissioners and its purpose is economic development. It mainly consists of the Everett waterfront that includes the 3rd largest container port in the State, the largest public marina on the West Coast, and Naval Station Everett. The Port supports 40,000 jobs in the region, balanced with a recreational waterfront. Because of the supply chain issue creating a heavy demand for offloading containers, 2021 was by far the busiest year with more than 20,000 containers, up from 3,875 in 2020.
Officially, the Port has switched from an industrial waterfront to a destination waterfront. Real estate owned by the Port will be a place where visitors can eat, drink, sleep, work and recreate, known as Waterfront Place. The first phase of apartments is now open. It is the first time the Port has had housing on the campus. Two towers will house 266 apartments.
Two new retail buildings broke ground in 2021. A restaurant row and wine walk are being developed. A historic building moved from the old Weyerhaeuser mill site will be a whisky bar and coffee shop. Other shops joining existing businesses such as Scuttlebutt's Brewing, will include Fisherman Jack's, South Fork Bakery, Rustic Cork Wine Bar, Spa, Cafe, Ice Cream Shop, Lazy Boy Brewing, Fish Market, Woods Coffee, Sound 2 Summit Brewing, and more. There is a second phase in the works the will be know as the Millwright District. It will be mixed use with commercial, retail and about 200 residential units.
Outside of the Everett waterfront, the Port is supporting changes for the Mukilteo Waterfront and its been working with Arlington and Marysville in supporting industry and job growth in the Cascade Industrial Center. A critical focus of the Port is workforce development, to help recruit and train workers in the maritime industries.
The full presentation was recorded and can be viewed on our club's YouTube channel. Click HERE to view the video.