What did Everett City Council approve on April 29? The council approved a $10.6 million package to complete the design of the Everett Outdoor Event Center — the future home of the AquaSox and two USL soccer teams. The package includes $4.8 million in contract amendments with four design contractors and acceptance of a $7.4 million state Department of Commerce grant.
What the Council Approved
Everett’s City Council cleared the next major hurdle in the downtown stadium project on Wednesday, voting to approve $10.6 million in design funding for the Everett Outdoor Event Center — a vote that green-lights the final design phase but stops well short of breaking ground.
The $10.6 million package had two components, both approved at the April 29 council meeting at 3002 Wetmore Ave.:
$4.8 million in contract amendments with four design contractors already engaged in the project. These amendments authorize additional design work needed to complete the full design package for the Everett Outdoor Event Center.
Acceptance of a $7.4 million state grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce directed toward the stadium project.
Together, the two actions bring an additional $10.6 million into the stadium design budget. The $4.8 million in contractor amendments is funded through an interfund loan from the city’s general fund balance — a mechanism the council previously established and explained in detail before Wednesday’s vote.
What “Design Funding” Actually Means
The $10.6 million funds the completion of the design for the Everett Outdoor Event Center. Design work covers architectural drawings, engineering, site planning, environmental review, and the technical documentation required before construction can begin. It does not fund construction itself.
The total estimated project cost exceeds $120 million. Wednesday’s vote moves the project from preliminary design to completed design — a necessary step before the city can make any further decision about whether and how to build.
Think of it this way: the city is now paying to finish the blueprints. Whether to build what the blueprints describe is a separate decision that comes later.
What the Stadium Is Supposed to Be
The Everett Outdoor Event Center is planned as a multi-use sports and events venue in downtown Everett. It would serve as the home ballpark for the Everett AquaSox, the Seattle Mariners’ Single-A affiliate that has played at Funko Field (formerly Everett Memorial Stadium) since 1984.
The facility is also designed to host two new Everett teams in the professional United Soccer League (USL), which has been expanding in the Pacific Northwest. Public park amenities are part of the design, positioning the site as a community asset beyond game days.
Why $10.6 Million More Was Needed
The original design contract did not include the full scope required to get the project to a build-ready state. As the design process progressed, the scope of work expanded — particularly around the complexity of the downtown site, utility considerations, and the multi-use programming requirements of a venue serving baseball, soccer, and community events.
The city sought and received the $7.4 million state Commerce grant specifically to offset the expanded design costs. This is not unusual for large public construction projects, where design costs frequently increase as the project becomes more technically defined.
The project has faced scrutiny over its cost trajectory. The total price tag of $120 million-plus is significantly above earlier estimates, and the city is simultaneously managing a projected $14 million budget gap heading into 2027. The interfund loan structure means the stadium design costs are borrowing from the general fund balance — money that will need to be repaid.
What Hasn’t Been Decided Yet
Wednesday’s vote authorizes completing the design. It does not authorize construction, determine how the remaining $110+ million in construction costs will be funded, or commit the city to building the stadium.
The next major decision point comes when the completed design and a full project budget are presented to the council for a construction vote. That vote — substantially larger in scope — has not been scheduled.
Mayor Franklin’s administration has argued that completing the design is a prerequisite to any serious conversation about how to fund and structure the full project. Without a completed design, there’s no firm cost basis and no project to bid.
What AquaSox and USL Have at Stake
City officials have stated publicly that without a new stadium, the AquaSox’s long-term future in Everett is uncertain. Minor League Baseball has been consolidating franchises and upgrading stadium standards nationally, and aging facilities have been a factor in franchise relocations in other markets.
For USL, the new stadium would anchor professional soccer in a region that has seen significant growth in the sport. A purpose-built configuration — not a converted baseball park — is part of what makes the site viable for USL play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the council vote to build the stadium? No. The April 29 vote authorized completing the design. A separate construction vote is required before any building begins.
Where does the $4.8 million come from? It comes from the city’s general fund balance through an interfund loan — essentially, the city lending itself money from its reserves. The loan is expected to be repaid from future stadium-related revenues or other sources.
What is the $7.4 million state grant for? The Washington State Department of Commerce grant is directed toward the stadium design project. Accepting it was part of the April 29 vote package.
How much will the whole stadium cost? Total estimated project costs exceed $120 million. How that will be funded — through public bonds, grants, private contributions, or a combination — has not been finalized.
When would the stadium open? No construction timeline has been established. That depends on when and how the construction funding is resolved and a construction vote passes.
What to Do Next
- Follow the project: Search “Outdoor Event Center” on everettwa.gov for updates as design progresses.
- Attend council meetings: Regular council meetings are Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. at 3002 Wetmore Ave. Meetings are streamed on the city’s YouTube channel.
- Track the budget: The city’s 2026 budget page and future 2027 planning documents will reflect how the interfund loan is managed.
- View the full agenda: All council meeting agendas are posted in advance at everettwa.gov/agendacenter.
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