EVERETT, Wash. — Decades in the making, Everett’s waterfront is finally taking shape. The once-gritty, working man’s port is transforming into a jewel of Snohomish County.
Jim Webber grew up on the Everett waterfront. He watched the place that he loves grow up right along with him.
“I used to race boats out here. I learned how to sail out here. It was a lot of fun for a young man growing up,” he said.
After 102 years, Everett's waterfront is entering a new phase.
Once home mainly to mills and fishing boats, the Port of Everett, which operates the place, is in the midst of a major transformation – one that’s been slowly taking shape for decades
Where the world’s largest shingle mill once loomed, now sits an Italian restaurant.
The site of the old Morris Brothers Boat Building Company recently gave way to the new upscale Hotel Indigo.
It makes Jim feel like a young man again.
“I wish I was 22 starting out right now,” he smiled. “It’s such an exciting time and exciting place.”
The centerpiece of the Port project is called Waterfront Place. Three phases will be built over the next 5 years spanning a million-and-a-half square feet. Up to 660 apartments, condos, and townhomes are planned along with 10 restaurants, an amphitheater, as well as office and retail space.
It’s a plan more than two decades in the making. It will completely transform the waterfront and perhaps even the city of Everett, as well.
“Why Everett? Why not Everett?” Posited Terrie Battuello, the Port’s Chief of Business and Economic Development. “Our project will make people really think about it.”
Battuello said the goal is to make Everett’s waterfront a destination -- a place where people from as far away as Canada will come to visit and locals will long to live.
“We create a bow wave of change for a community and change how it’s perceived in the region,” she said. “Tell the story of its history and character and make people think again.”
As for Jim Webber, he turned his love of the waterfront into a 40-plus year career. He’s now the Port’s Marine Operations Director.
He said he believes the tide is about to turn for Everett.
“I think it’s going to be the jewel of the city moving forward. I really do."
KING 5's Eric Wilkinson is on a series called "Growing up in Snohomish County." Stay tuned for segments on Sultan and Lynnwood.