Exploring Everett - Tygart Media

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Category: Exploring Everett

Everett, Washington is in the middle of something big. A $1 billion waterfront transformation. A Boeing workforce that built the world’s largest commercial jets. A port city with a downtown that’s finally catching up to its potential. A Navy presence at Naval Station Everett. A comedy and arts scene punching above its weight. And neighborhoods — Riverside, Silver Lake, Downtown, Bayside — each with their own identity and story.

Exploring Everett is Tygart Media’s hyperlocal coverage vertical for Snohomish County’s largest city. We cover the waterfront redevelopment, Boeing and Paine Field, city hall, the food and arts scene, real estate, neighborhoods, and everything in between — written for people who live here, work here, or are paying attention to what’s coming.

Coverage categories include: Everett News, Waterfront Development, Boeing & Aerospace, Business, Arts & Culture, Food & Drink, Real Estate, Neighborhoods, Government, Schools, Public Safety, Events, and Outdoors.

Exploring Everett content is also published at exploringeverett.com.

  • Moving to Everett in 2026? Here’s What the Tightest Retail Market in Puget Sound Means for Your Neighborhood, Shopping, and What’s Coming

    Moving to Everett in 2026? Here’s What the Tightest Retail Market in Puget Sound Means for Your Neighborhood, Shopping, and What’s Coming

    Q: What should someone moving to Everett know about the retail and shopping environment in 2026?
    A: Snohomish County has the tightest retail market in Puget Sound (3.4% vacancy, Q4 2025), which has two practical implications for new residents: good news (the city’s existing retail is stable and occupied, not full of empty storefronts) and realistic expectations (major new retail amenities are coming slowly — Waterfront Place is growing, Millwright Phase 2 is in pre-leasing, and the riverfront grocery anchor isn’t arriving until 2030). Here is the shopping landscape by neighborhood and what’s coming when.

    What the Tight Retail Market Means for Your Daily Life in Everett

    If you’re moving to Everett, the retail market data has two practical implications for your daily life — one reassuring and one requiring patience.

    The reassuring part: 3.4% vacancy means that Everett’s existing retail is overwhelmingly occupied. The stores and restaurants that are here are here because they’re viable. You won’t find the endless empty storefronts that characterize struggling commercial districts in other cities. The businesses you discover in your first weeks will still be there in year two.

    The patience part: that same tightness means the major new retail amenities that make urban neighborhoods feel complete — grocery options in new neighborhoods, a broader restaurant scene on the waterfront — are arriving on slow timelines. The riverfront grocery anchor doesn’t open until 2030. Waterfront Place is still building out its restaurant row. If you’re moving to a new Everett neighborhood expecting walkable urban retail from day one, you may need to adjust expectations based on where you land.

    Grocery and Everyday Shopping by Area

    North Everett and Downtown

    The QFC on Colby Avenue is the primary grocery option for downtown and North Everett residents. Fred Meyer on Casino Road serves the broader South Everett corridor. Safeway on Broadway is another downtown-adjacent option. Whole Foods is not in Everett (the nearest is in Lynnwood or Redmond); Trader Joe’s is in Lynnwood. For everyday grocery needs, North Everett residents have workable but not walkable options — most require a short drive.

    South Everett and Casino Road Corridor

    The Casino Road corridor has significant retail density serving the area’s large residential population, including several ethnic grocery options (Vietnamese markets, Filipino stores, and international food retailers serving the area’s diverse communities). Fred Meyer is a major anchor. For families who cook internationally, South Everett’s food retail is actually more interesting than North Everett’s in terms of variety.

    The Snohomish River Waterfront Neighborhood

    If you’re moving to one of the Shelter Holdings residential buildings on the Snohomish River waterfront, be aware that the grocery anchor has been delayed to 2030. You’ll be relying on the QFC on Colby for grocery runs — about a mile from the waterfront site. The neighborhood has ground-floor commercial space that is being built out, but the full retail program is several years from completion. The Interurban Trail makes the neighborhood excellent for walking and cycling; the car remains necessary for grocery shopping for now.

    What’s Coming: The Retail Development Pipeline

    Waterfront Place at the Port of Everett

    The most exciting new retail corridor in Everett is the Port of Everett’s restaurant and dining cluster. Jetty Bar & Grille, Marina Azul, Scuttlebutt Brewing, and others are building a genuine waterfront dining district along Port Gardner Bay. This is already partially open and worth exploring as a weekend destination. The Waterfront Place guide covers every tenant and what’s there now.

    Millwright District Phase 2

    The next major mixed-use development at the Port waterfront — adding residential units and ground-floor retail — is in pre-leasing. It’s the next-generation version of the Waterfront Place district, with higher residential density that will make the commercial program more sustainable. Timeline: several years out.

    The Snohomish River Waterfront

    Grocery store in 2030. Eclipse Mill Park by spring 2028. The full waterfront guide is the most complete picture of what’s coming and when on the riverfront site.

    The Farmers Market and Seasonal Retail

    The Everett Farmers Market opens Mother’s Day 2026 and runs through the summer on Wetmore Avenue in downtown Everett. It’s one of the city’s best weekly retail experiences — local produce, food vendors, crafts, and community. For new residents, it’s one of the first things to put on your calendar. It’s also where you’ll meet a cross-section of Everett’s community in a way that no strip mall can offer.

    The Bigger Picture: Everett Is Under-Retailed, and That’s Changing

    Snohomish County’s tight vacancy reflects a structural reality: the county has grown faster than its retail has. That gap is exactly why the waterfront projects are being built. The city’s population — 114,070 in Everett proper, with the county at over 800,000 — is large enough to support significantly more retail than currently exists. The development pipeline is beginning to fill that gap, slowly but genuinely.

    For new residents, the practical advice is: get comfortable with a car for big-box and grocery runs, explore downtown Everett’s independent retail and dining for your everyday life, and watch the waterfront corridors over the next 3–5 years. The city’s retail story in 2030 will be substantially richer than it is in 2026. You’re arriving at the right time to be part of that change.

    Frequently Asked Questions for New and Relocating Residents

    Is Everett a walkable city for shopping and errands?

    It depends heavily on your neighborhood. Downtown Everett has a walkable core with restaurants, cafes, specialty retail, and the farmers market. Most grocery shopping requires a short drive. The waterfront neighborhoods (Port and Snohomish River) are growing but not yet fully retail-complete. South Everett has good density on the Casino Road corridor but is car-dependent.

    Where is the nearest Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods to Everett?

    The nearest Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods are in Lynnwood, approximately 10–15 miles south of downtown Everett on I-5. Lynnwood’s Alderwood Mall and surrounding retail corridor is the nearest major shopping destination outside Everett itself.

    What new retail is coming to Everett in the next few years?

    Waterfront Place at the Port of Everett is already partially open and continuing to add tenants. Millwright Phase 2 (Port waterfront mixed-use) is in pre-leasing. The Snohomish River waterfront grocery anchor arrives in 2030 and Eclipse Mill Park opens spring 2028. Downtown’s Broadway and Hewitt corridors continue seeing independent retail turnover.

    Is the Everett Farmers Market worth checking out?

    Yes. The Everett Farmers Market opens Mother’s Day 2026 and runs through the summer season on Wetmore Avenue downtown. It’s one of the best weekly community experiences in the city for new residents trying to meet neighbors and explore local food.

    How does Everett’s retail compare to Bellevue or Seattle?

    Everett has significantly less retail density per capita than Bellevue or Seattle. It’s a working city with a strong employment base (Boeing, Navy, healthcare) that has historically prioritized industry over consumption. The city’s retail footprint is growing — the waterfront projects represent the biggest retail investment in Everett’s recent history — but the gap with Seattle’s retail depth will persist for years. Everett’s comparative advantage is affordability and community character, not retail variety.

  • For Everett Business Owners and Retail Tenants: What Snohomish County’s Tightest-in-Puget-Sound Market Means for Your 2026 Lease and Location Decisions

    For Everett Business Owners and Retail Tenants: What Snohomish County’s Tightest-in-Puget-Sound Market Means for Your 2026 Lease and Location Decisions

    Q: What does Snohomish County’s tight retail market mean for Everett business owners looking to lease or expand in 2026?
    A: The county’s 3.4% retail vacancy rate (Q4 2025, Kidder Mathews) means space is scarce and competition for prime locations is real. Existing tenants have strong leverage at renewal. Prospective tenants seeking new space face limited options and must move quickly when locations become available. Q1 2026 is showing early softening — vacancy is “creeping higher” and tenants are “growing more selective” — which gives new entrants slightly more options than 12 months ago, but the market remains landlord-favorable overall.

    You Are Operating in the Tightest Retail Market in Puget Sound

    If you own or operate a business in Everett — or if you’re looking to open one — you’re in the tightest retail market in the Puget Sound region. Snohomish County’s retail vacancy rate was 3.4% at year-end 2025, according to Kidder Mathews data. Seattle was at 4.0% and rising. Portland was at 4.8%. Your competition for the same quality commercial spaces is across the entire Puget Sound market, and Snohomish County is where they all want to be right now.

    Understanding that context changes how you think about leasing decisions. Here’s what the 2026 data means for your specific situation depending on where you are in the business lifecycle.

    If You Have an Existing Lease Coming Up for Renewal

    In a 3.4% vacancy market, your landlord knows they can fill your space if you leave. But they also know that finding a replacement tenant takes time, carries leasing commissions, and risks a gap period. You have more leverage at renewal than the vacancy number alone suggests — especially if you’re a quality tenant with a track record of on-time payments.

    The Q1 2026 softening data is your friend at the negotiating table. Vacancy is “creeping higher” and tenants are “growing more selective.” That trend gives you a factual basis for asking for concessions — tenant improvement allowances, free rent periods, or rate stabilization — that would have been harder to win 12 months ago. Renewals signed in mid-2026, while the market is softening but still tight, likely represent a better deal than renewals signed at the peak.

    If You’re Actively Looking for Space to Open or Expand

    At 3.4% vacancy, “available retail space in Everett” is not a long list. Move quickly when something becomes available that fits your requirements. The 60-year Bank of America corner on Colby and Everett Avenue is one high-visibility example of a space that came to market in early 2026 — that kind of prime downtown location in a sub-4% vacancy market gets attention.

    Emerging corridors to watch for lease opportunity:

    Waterfront Place at the Port of Everett

    The marina district’s restaurant and retail corridor is still being built out. Tenants who secured early positions in Waterfront Place locked in favorable terms in a less competitive moment. Pre-leasing for Millwright Phase 2 is now underway — that’s the next Port of Everett waterfront development and represents an opportunity to get in early on a corridor with strong long-term fundamentals. The full retail market guide covers the countywide context.

    Snohomish River Waterfront (Shelter Holdings)

    The riverfront development has ground-floor commercial vacancies in completed residential buildings. It’s an early-stage neighborhood — the grocery anchor is delayed to 2030 and the park doesn’t fully open until spring 2028. But for businesses that can build a residential customer base before the full retail program arrives, rents are likely more negotiable than in established Everett corridors. The riverfront business owners guide covers that specific opportunity and its risks in detail.

    Broadway and Hewitt Corridors Downtown

    Downtown Everett’s primary retail corridors continue to see turnover — both new openings and departures. Spaces in this zone benefit from the foot traffic of downtown workers, transit users at Everett Station, and the event audience from the performing arts venues. Competition for the best Broadway and Hewitt locations remains real.

    What the Q1 2026 Data Tells You About Timing

    Kidder Mathews’ Q1 2026 data (Registry Pacific Northwest, April 8, 2026) shows vacancy creeping higher and tenants growing more selective. This is a marginal softening from the extreme tightness of 2023–2025 — not a market shift. But timing matters for lease negotiations. A market that has been at 3.4% for three years and is beginning to soften is one where landlord patience for vacant space is starting to increase. That shifts negotiating dynamics slightly.

    If you’ve been waiting for a market moment that’s slightly more tenant-favorable before locking in a new location or renewal, mid-2026 may be that moment. The structural supply constraint in Snohomish County — almost no new retail being built — means the vacancy floor won’t drop dramatically. But the marginal improvement in negotiating position is real and may not persist.

    Frequently Asked Questions for Business Owners

    How tight is the Snohomish County retail market for new tenants?

    Very tight — 3.4% vacancy at year-end 2025 means roughly 96.6% of retail space is occupied. Available spaces move quickly and landlords have pricing power. Q1 2026 shows early softening, but the market remains landlord-favorable. Finding quality available space requires acting quickly and working with a local commercial broker.

    Should I renew my current Everett retail lease or look for new space?

    This depends heavily on your specific location and landlord relationship. The general market context (3.4% vacancy, beginning to soften slightly in Q1 2026) means renewal is typically the lower-friction path. If you’re renewing, negotiate now while vacancy is softening — you have slightly more leverage than you would have had 12 months ago. If you’re looking to relocate to a better location, be prepared to move quickly when your target space becomes available.

    Are there any retail opportunities in Everett where lease terms might be more flexible?

    The Snohomish River waterfront (Shelter Holdings) has early-stage ground-floor commercial availability where landlords may be more negotiable — the neighborhood hasn’t yet reached full density. Pre-leasing at Millwright Phase 2 represents an early-entry opportunity at the Port waterfront. These locations require patience on foot traffic; in exchange, lease terms may be more favorable than in established Everett corridors.

    What is the asking rent range for Everett retail space in 2026?

    Specific asking rents vary significantly by location, size, and condition. For current market rate guidance, consult a Snohomish County commercial real estate broker. Kidder Mathews, Colliers, and CBRE all track this market actively.

  • Snohomish County Has the Tightest Retail Market in Puget Sound: A Complete 2026 Guide to the 3.4% Vacancy Rate, Q1 Signals, and What It Means for Everett

    Snohomish County Has the Tightest Retail Market in Puget Sound: A Complete 2026 Guide to the 3.4% Vacancy Rate, Q1 Signals, and What It Means for Everett

    Q: What is the current retail vacancy rate in Snohomish County and what does it mean for Everett?
    A: Snohomish County ended Q4 2025 at 3.4% retail vacancy — the tightest rate in the Seattle-Puget Sound metro, according to Kidder Mathews Q4 2025 data cited by the Everett Herald. For comparison: the broader Seattle metro finished 2025 at 4.0% and was climbing; Portland was at 4.8% in Q1 2026. Q1 2026 data from Kidder Mathews (published by The Registry Pacific Northwest on April 8, 2026) shows vacancy “creeping higher” as tenants grow more selective — a softening at the margins, not a market in distress. The tightness creates both opportunity (for existing landlords) and challenge (for major new retail projects like Waterfront Place and Millwright Phase 2 that need to recruit quality tenants).

    The Number That Defines Snohomish County Retail in 2026

    3.4 percent. That’s Snohomish County’s retail vacancy rate at the end of Q4 2025, per Kidder Mathews’ regional retail market data. To understand what that number means, you need the comparisons. The broader Seattle metro ended 2025 at 4.0% and was trending upward. Portland hit 4.8% retail vacancy in Q1 2026. King County’s retail vacancy was rising through the back half of 2025. By every regional measure, Snohomish County is the tightest retail market in Puget Sound.

    That’s been true for most of the past three years. And it’s driven by a simple physical reality: almost no new retail square footage has been built in Snohomish County. The last major new shopping center project was years ago. When no new space enters the market, vacancy stays low regardless of whether new tenants are eager to enter.

    What Q1 2026 Is Showing: The First Signs of Softening

    Kidder Mathews’ Q1 2026 retail market data, published by The Registry Pacific Northwest on April 8, 2026, introduced two new phrases into the Snohomish County retail conversation: vacancy is “creeping higher,” and tenants are “growing more selective.”

    These are measured words. This is not a distressed market. But they signal that the absolute floor-tight conditions of 2023–2025 are beginning to soften at the margins. More tenant options are emerging. Lease negotiation dynamics are shifting slightly toward the tenant side. Existing landlords still have strong occupancy and pricing power, but the trend line is worth watching.

    The Q1 2026 data comes against a backdrop of visible vacancy events in downtown Everett. The Bank of America branch on the corner of Colby Avenue and Everett Avenue — occupied for 60 years — went vacant in early 2026, leaving one of downtown’s most prominent corners empty. That one departure doesn’t make a market. But it’s the kind of anchor-tenant exit that shapes perceptions of downtown retail health.

    What This Means for Waterfront Place at the Port of Everett

    Waterfront Place — the Port of Everett’s emerging restaurant and retail district on the marina — opened several tenants in 2025 and 2026, including Jetty Bar & Grille and Marina Azul. The tight countywide market provides context for the pace of tenant recruitment: quality food and beverage operators in Snohomish County have options and are being selective. Waterfront Place competes with downtown Everett, Lynnwood’s retail corridors, and emerging Millwright District space for the same pool of prospective tenants.

    The advantage Waterfront Place has is differentiation — there is no other marina-adjacent dining district in Snohomish County. That uniqueness gives it a claim on tenants who want that specific positioning. The challenge is that the universe of tenants who specifically want a marina location is smaller than the universe of tenants who would consider any well-trafficked Everett location. The Waterfront Place complete guide covers the full tenant roster and what’s coming.

    What This Means for Millwright District Phase 2

    Millwright Phase 2 is the Port of Everett’s next major mixed-use development at the waterfront — adding residential density and ground-floor retail to the marina district. It’s in pre-leasing. The countywide tight market is a genuine asset for its retail program: when you’re trying to recruit tenants, being located in the tightest retail market in Puget Sound is a better starting position than being in the loosest.

    The Q1 2026 softening trend is worth watching for Millwright’s pre-leasing timeline. If vacancy continues to “creep higher” through 2026, the window of maximum landlord leverage will narrow somewhat. Getting pre-leasing commitments signed during the current tight conditions is better than waiting until the softening becomes more pronounced.

    What This Means for Downtown Everett’s Broadway and Hewitt Corridors

    Downtown Everett’s retail health is more complex than the countywide number suggests. The Hewitt Avenue and Broadway corridors have seen both openings and closures in 2025–2026. The Bank of America departure left a high-visibility corner dark. New entrants like Butter Notes Cafe on Broadway — specialty coffee with jazz programming and a podcast studio — represent the kind of independent retail that fills in where national chains won’t go.

    The tight countywide vacancy means that if you have a viable downtown retail concept, finding space is still the challenge — not finding demand. The riverfront retail analysis covers the Snohomish River waterfront retail picture, which is part of the same countywide story.

    The Broader Context: Why Snohomish County Stays Tight

    Three structural factors keep Snohomish County’s retail market tighter than its neighbors: population growth (the county has grown consistently, adding household demand), limited new supply (almost no major new retail development for years), and an employment base anchored by Boeing, the Navy, and Paine Field that generates stable household incomes. Those factors don’t disappear with one quarter of softening. They’re the durable engine underneath the 3.4% number.

    The Q1 2026 data is a signal to watch, not a signal to act on in panic. Snohomish County retail is not in trouble. It’s at the end of an unusually tight cycle, normalizing toward regional equilibrium. That’s a healthy market movement.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is Snohomish County’s retail vacancy rate in 2026?

    3.4% at year-end Q4 2025, per Kidder Mathews data cited by the Everett Herald. Q1 2026 Kidder Mathews data (Registry Pacific Northwest, April 8, 2026) shows vacancy “creeping higher” but remains below the Seattle metro’s 4.0% and Portland’s 4.8%.

    Why is Snohomish County’s retail vacancy so low?

    Primarily because almost no new retail space has been built in years. When supply doesn’t increase, vacancy stays low regardless of demand conditions. Consistent population growth and a stable Boeing/Navy/Paine Field employment base provide steady retail demand on top of the supply constraint.

    How does Snohomish County compare to Seattle and Portland for retail vacancy?

    Snohomish County (3.4% Q4 2025) is tighter than the broader Seattle metro (4.0% Q4 2025, climbing) and significantly tighter than Portland (4.8% Q1 2026). It is the tightest retail submarket in the Puget Sound region.

    What does the retail market data mean for Waterfront Place and Millwright Phase 2?

    The tight market provides leverage for landlords recruiting tenants into new developments. However, the “more selective” tenant dynamic from Q1 2026 means quality tenants have options and aren’t rushed. Major new developments benefit from the overall tightness but need to differentiate on location and amenity to compete effectively for the best tenants.

    Is Snohomish County retail market heading toward higher vacancy?

    Q1 2026 data shows a “creeping higher” trend — a marginal softening after years of extreme tightness. This is a normalization, not a downturn. The structural supply constraint (very little new retail built) and population growth continue to support low vacancy. Watch for continued Q2 and Q3 2026 data for more directional clarity.

    What is the source for Snohomish County retail vacancy data?

    Kidder Mathews quarterly retail market reports. Q4 2025 data was cited by the Everett Herald in February 2026. Q1 2026 data was published by The Registry Pacific Northwest on April 8, 2026.

  • For Navy Families at NAVSTA Everett: A Military Parent’s Guide to Boys & Girls Club Programs for Kids With a Deployed Parent

    For Navy Families at NAVSTA Everett: A Military Parent’s Guide to Boys & Girls Club Programs for Kids With a Deployed Parent

    Q: What does the Boys & Girls Club offer for Navy families at NAVSTA Everett with a deployed parent?
    A: The Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County serves kids ages 5–18 at two Everett-area locations. For Navy families with a deployed parent, the Club’s most relevant programs are: before and after-school care (predictable daily coverage for working or single parents), summer camp (all-day coverage through the summer break), and Power Hour homework help. The Club’s accessibility model — with fee assistance available — is designed for working families at all income levels. The Everett Club has been serving this community since 1946.

    Deployment Creates a Child Care Gap That the Club Fills

    When a sailor deploys from Naval Station Everett, the at-home parent takes on everything. Every school pickup. Every dinner. Every help-with-homework evening. Every school break and summer week. For single-income families, or for spouses who work — which is most families — the logistics of covering childcare during deployment without a second adult in the house is the hardest practical part of Navy family life.

    The Boys & Girls Club doesn’t solve deployment. But it directly addresses some of the most stressful parts of the daily logistics. Here’s what matters most for Navy families specifically.

    The Three Programs That Matter Most During Deployment

    After-School Care: Predictable Daily Coverage

    The gap between school dismissal (typically 3:00–3:30 PM) and the end of a working parent’s shift is the daily logistics problem that compounds across a deployment. The Club’s after-school care program fills that window with structured, safe, adult-supervised time. Kids do homework (via Power Hour), participate in activities, and stay in a consistent environment until pickup. For a Navy spouse working any kind of shift job — at NAVSTA itself, at a hospital, at Boeing’s facilities, or anywhere in Snohomish County — predictable after-school coverage is one less thing to coordinate.

    Summer Camp: All-Day Coverage Through the Summer Break

    Summer is the hardest childcare period for deployed families. School ends. The structure disappears. The days are long. And a single parent who works full-time doesn’t have the option of handling it informally. The Club’s summer camp runs all day through the full summer break — structured activities, field trips, STEM, sports, arts. Summer 2026 registration is open now.

    For Navy families who have used the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) program or Military Child Care (MCC) subsidies, the Club is a community-based option that may qualify. Families should check with NAVSTA Everett’s Family Service Center for current subsidy availability and eligibility.

    Power Hour: Homework Support When You’re Running on Empty

    When a deployed parent isn’t home, the at-home parent handles everything after pickup — dinner, baths, bedtime, and homework. Power Hour takes homework off that list. Kids complete their assignments during a structured after-school period with Club staff support, which means they arrive home with homework done. For an Everett parent who just worked a full day and is running a household solo, that hour matters.

    Location and Access for NAVSTA Families

    The main Everett Boys & Girls Club has been at its current North Everett location since 1965 — it’s within the city’s residential core and accessible from the base by surface streets. The South Everett/Mukilteo Club serves families in South Everett neighborhoods. Between the two locations, the Club’s geographic coverage is broad enough to serve most NAVSTA Everett families regardless of where they live in the city.

    NAVSTA Everett families often live throughout Snohomish County — including neighborhoods like Rucker Hill, Bayside, North Everett, and further north toward Mukilteo and south toward Lynnwood. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County network’s 27 total clubs county-wide means there’s likely a location near wherever your family lives.

    The Accessibility and Fee Assistance Reality

    Navy pay scales are publicly available, and E-5 through E-7 families — the backbone of NAVSTA Everett’s population — are working families, not high earners. The Club’s fee structure is designed for accessibility, with fee assistance available for families who need it. The organization has served working-class Everett families since its founding in 1946 and treats affordability as a core commitment rather than an exception.

    Families should ask directly about fee assistance when contacting the Club. The process is not complicated, and the Club’s staff are experienced in working with military families navigating tight budgets during deployment cycles.

    Additional NAVSTA Resources That Pair With the Club

    The Boys & Girls Club is one piece of the support network for deployed Navy families in Everett. NAVSTA Everett’s Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) provides additional resources: counseling, financial assistance referrals, childcare subsidy coordination, and the Ombudsman program for family communication during deployment. The complete Boys & Girls Club guide covers all programs in depth. For a wider look at community support in Everett, the Volunteers of America Western Washington guide covers programs for housing, food, and family services across the city.

    Frequently Asked Questions for Navy Families

    Does the Boys & Girls Club accept military child care subsidies?

    The Club may qualify under Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) or similar DoD childcare assistance programs. Families should contact NAVSTA Everett’s Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) and the Club directly to confirm current eligibility and subsidy availability for 2026.

    How do I enroll my child during a deployment?

    Contact Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County directly — the at-home parent can complete enrollment without the deployed parent present. Summer 2026 registration is open now. Club staff can walk you through the enrollment process and fee assistance options.

    What ages does the Club serve?

    Ages 5–18. The Club has programs for elementary-age children, middle schoolers, and teens. Summer camp and after-school care serve the full range; specific programs vary by age group.

    Is there a Boys & Girls Club near NAVSTA Everett?

    The main Everett Club is in North Everett and has been at its current location since 1965. It’s accessible from NAVSTA by surface streets. For families in South Everett, the South Everett/Mukilteo Club provides additional coverage. The 27-club county network means most NAVSTA families, wherever they live in Snohomish County, have a Club within reasonable distance.

    What support does NAVSTA Everett’s FFSC offer alongside the Boys & Girls Club?

    NAVSTA Everett’s Fleet and Family Support Center provides counseling, financial assistance referrals, childcare subsidy coordination, and the Ombudsman program for family communication during deployment. The FFSC and the Boys & Girls Club are complementary resources — the Club provides daily childcare structure; the FFSC provides family support services and military-specific resources.

  • Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County: The Complete 2026 Guide to the Everett Club’s 80-Year Legacy, Programs, and How to Enroll Your Kids

    Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County: The Complete 2026 Guide to the Everett Club’s 80-Year Legacy, Programs, and How to Enroll Your Kids

    Q: What does the Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County offer in Everett in 2026?
    A: The Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County operates 27 clubs across the county, with two serving Everett: the main Everett Club (at its current location since 1965) and the South Everett/Mukilteo Club. The Everett Club serves nearly 1,000 members ages 5–18 annually with before and after-school care, summer camp, STEM programming, fine arts, sports leagues, teen programs, and the Power Hour homework help program. In 2026, the organization is celebrating its 80th anniversary — the Everett Club was the first one opened, in 1946.

    Everett’s Boys & Girls Club Turns 80 in 2026

    When someone opened the first Boys & Girls Club in Snohomish County in 1946, they opened it in Everett. Boeing was ramping up after World War II. The city was building its future. And a group of community members decided that kids needed a safe, positive place to go after school and during the summer months.

    Eight decades later, that original Everett Club is still operating — at its current location since 1965 — and the organization it helped seed now operates 27 clubs across all of Snohomish County. In 2026, Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County is marking its 80th anniversary. It’s a milestone that most Everett families walk past or drive by without fully understanding what’s inside.

    What the Everett Club Actually Offers

    The Everett Boys & Girls Club serves nearly 1,000 members every year. Members are kids ages 5–18. The program menu is broader than most people know:

    Before and After-School Care

    For working families — and Everett has a lot of them, whether parents work at Boeing, at the Navy base, at the hospital, or anywhere else in the county — the daily logistics of school drop-off and pickup are a genuine challenge. The Club provides structured before-school and after-school care, giving parents predictable coverage during the working hours that don’t align with school schedules.

    Summer Camp

    Summer camp is the Club’s highest-demand program. It runs all day, spanning the full summer break, with structured activities, field trips, STEM projects, sports, and arts. For Everett families facing the annual summer care gap — the weeks between school ending and the next structured activity option — the Club’s summer camp is often the best-value option in the city. Summer 2026 registration is open now.

    Power Hour: Homework Help That Works

    Power Hour is the Club’s structured academic support program: a dedicated daily homework period with staff support, designed to help kids complete their assignments before dinner — which means more family time in the evenings and better academic outcomes. For families in Everett’s strong school district (Everett School District recorded a 96.3% graduation rate), the difference between a kid who has Power Hour support and one who doesn’t can be meaningful over time.

    STEM Programming

    Everett is an aerospace and technology city. The Club’s STEM programming reflects that — giving kids exposure to science, technology, engineering, and math in hands-on ways during the after-school hours. For a city where Boeing, Paine Field, and the aerospace supply chain are among the largest employers, planting early STEM interest in the next generation has both community and economic significance.

    Fine Arts and Teen Programs

    Fine arts programming gives kids exposure to visual and performing arts outside of school curriculum. Teen programs address the specific developmental needs of older Club members — leadership development, job readiness, college preparation, and mentoring opportunities that the younger programs don’t cover.

    Two Clubs Serving Everett

    The main Everett Club has been at its current location since 1965. The South Everett/Mukilteo Club extends the organization’s reach into South Everett, near the Casino Road corridor and the Mukilteo School District boundary. The geographic spread means the Club serves both North Everett families and South Everett families — including the high-density, multi-ethnic communities on Casino Road and the families in neighborhoods like Cascade View, Twin Creeks, and Westmont-Holly.

    Between the two Everett-area clubs, coverage across the city is substantial. The 27-club county network also means that families who move within Snohomish County don’t have to start over — they can find a Boys & Girls Club near their new address. For families on Casino Road specifically, the South Everett/Mukilteo Club is the relevant location.

    The Three Pillars: What the Club Is Actually Trying to Build

    Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County organizes its programs around three pillars: Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles, and Character and Leadership Development. These aren’t just marketing language — they’re the framework that determines how staff design programs and how they measure whether they’re working.

    Academic Success means Power Hour and homework support. Healthy Lifestyles means sports, nutrition awareness, and physical activity during hours when kids might otherwise be sedentary. Character and Leadership Development means the mentoring, conflict resolution, and civic participation programs that don’t show up in academic performance metrics but shape the adults those kids become.

    Enrollment and Access

    The Club’s accessibility model is one of its most important features: membership fees are deliberately kept at a level that doesn’t exclude working families. The Club actively provides access for families who need fee assistance. In a city with Everett’s economic diversity — Boeing engineers and warehouse workers, Navy families and recent immigrants — the Club’s accessibility across income levels is what makes it a community institution rather than a middle-class amenity.

    Summer 2026 registration is open now. Families can enroll through the Snohomish County Boys & Girls Club website or by contacting the Everett Club directly. For other community support resources in Everett, the Volunteers of America Western Washington guide and the Everett community services guide cover the wider network.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do I enroll my child in the Boys & Girls Club in Everett?

    Contact Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County through their official website or call the Everett Club directly. Summer 2026 registration is open now. Staff can also provide information on membership fees and financial assistance options.

    What ages does the Boys & Girls Club serve in Everett?

    Ages 5–18. Programs are tailored by age group, with separate programming for elementary-age children, middle schoolers, and teens. The summer camp serves the full range; after-school care focuses primarily on school-age children.

    Is the Boys & Girls Club in Everett affordable for working families?

    Yes. The Club’s membership model is designed to be accessible across income levels, and fee assistance is available. The Club has served working-class Everett families since its 1946 founding and maintains accessibility as a core organizational value.

    How many Boys & Girls Clubs are there in Snohomish County?

    27 clubs across the county as of 2026. Two serve the Everett area: the main Everett Club and the South Everett/Mukilteo Club.

    When was the first Boys & Girls Club in Snohomish County opened?

    1946, in Everett. That makes the Everett Club the founding club for the entire Snohomish County organization. In 2026, Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County is celebrating its 80th anniversary.

    Does the Boys & Girls Club offer summer programming in Everett?

    Yes. Summer camp is one of the Club’s highest-demand programs, running all day through the full summer break. Summer 2026 registration is open now. It covers structured activities, field trips, STEM projects, sports, and arts across the full 5–18 age range.

  • For Business Owners and Prospective Tenants: What Everett’s Riverfront Retail Delays Mean for Your 2026 Location Decisions

    For Business Owners and Prospective Tenants: What Everett’s Riverfront Retail Delays Mean for Your 2026 Location Decisions

    Q: What do Everett’s riverfront retail delays mean for businesses and prospective tenants in 2026?
    A: The Snohomish River waterfront’s grocery anchor has been pushed to 2030, the cinema was replaced by pickleball, and some ground-floor retail spaces remain vacant. For businesses considering a riverfront location, this signals a neighborhood still building toward critical mass — not one that’s prematurely full. The site’s advantages (Interurban Trail access, growing residential density, river views) are real. The timeline for foot traffic to reach sustainable retail levels is 2028–2030. Whether that gap works for your business model is the central question.

    The Riverfront’s Retail Situation in Plain Terms

    Bellevue-based Shelter Holdings has been developing Everett’s Snohomish River waterfront for years. The housing pipeline is active — up to 1,250 units are planned across phases, and buildings are open and occupied. The retail side of the program is where the challenges are concentrated.

    The grocery anchor was pushed to 2030. The cinema was replaced by pickleball. Ground-floor commercial spaces in completed buildings have vacancy. Eclipse Mill Park — the public green space that’s supposed to drive foot traffic — begins construction this summer and won’t fully open until spring 2028. That’s the honest picture for any business owner or developer assessing the riverfront as a location today.

    What’s Driving the Vacancy

    Snohomish County’s overall retail market is the tightest in Puget Sound — 3.4% vacancy at year-end 2025, compared to Seattle’s 4.0% and Portland’s 4.8%. At first glance, that tight market should make retail leasing easier everywhere in the county. In practice, it means tenants with options are being selective about where they locate — and a new neighborhood that hasn’t yet reached full resident density is a calculated risk.

    The math for most retail businesses is straightforward: you need a certain volume of foot traffic — walk-in and drive-in combined — to make the unit economics work. The riverfront neighborhood has the Interurban Trail (cyclists, walkers, commuters), the existing residential buildings, and a beautiful site. It does not yet have the grocery anchor that pulls non-resident traffic, the park that creates weekend dwell time, or the entertainment venue that drives evening activity. Those arrive between 2026 and 2030. Until they do, foot traffic projections carry risk.

    The Opportunity Argument for Prospective Tenants

    The flip side of the vacancy story is the early-mover argument. Ground-floor retail rents in neighborhoods that haven’t reached full maturity are typically lower than in fully-built districts. If you sign a 5-year lease today on riverfront commercial space, you’re locking in 2026 rents against a 2030+ market. By the time the grocery anchor opens, the park is complete, and the residential density reaches its full program, you’re established — not a new entrant competing for lease terms in a tight market.

    That argument works best for businesses that can survive and build community loyalty during the build-out phase: a coffee shop with a loyal residential base, a fitness studio serving Interurban Trail users, a service business (salon, dry cleaning, childcare) that doesn’t depend on anchor-generated foot traffic. It works less well for restaurants that need consistent evening foot traffic from the start, or for retail concepts that need the grocery anchor to pull complementary customers.

    Comparing to Waterfront Place and Millwright Phase 2

    Everett has two other major retail development stories running simultaneously. Waterfront Place at the Port of Everett — the restaurant row that opened in 2025 — is already generating foot traffic and has demonstrated that Everett’s waterfront dining market is real. Millwright District Phase 2, the mixed-use development at the Port, is in pre-leasing. Those two projects, alongside the riverfront, represent three distinct Everett retail corridors at three different stages of maturity. Understanding the differences helps you place your own location decision in context.

    The riverfront is the youngest of the three in retail terms. It’s the highest-upside/highest-patience bet of the group. Waterfront Place is the proven commodity. Millwright is the middle option — more established than the riverfront, less certain than Waterfront Place.

    Developer-Specific Considerations

    For developers assessing the broader Snohomish County riverfront context — not just the Shelter Holdings site — the Q1 2026 Kidder Mathews retail data shows vacancy “creeping higher” after years of extreme tightness. That’s not a distress signal; it’s a softening at the margins of a fundamentally undersupplied market. For developers planning projects that need ground-floor retail lease-up to pencil, that softening gives prospective tenants more options and slightly more leverage on terms than they had 12 months ago.

    The riverfront’s 1,250-unit residential program, when complete, will make it one of the highest-density residential concentrations near downtown Everett. That’s the long-term retail case. Getting from here to there is the investor’s patience question.

    Frequently Asked Questions for Business Owners and Developers

    Are there retail spaces available at the Everett riverfront right now?

    Yes. Some ground-floor commercial spaces in completed Shelter Holdings buildings have availability. Prospective tenants should contact Shelter Holdings directly for current leasing status and rates.

    When will the riverfront have enough foot traffic to support a food and beverage business?

    Conservative answer: 2028–2030, when Eclipse Mill Park is complete and the grocery anchor opens. More optimistic answer: coffee and trail-adjacent food concepts could reach viability earlier, as the Interurban Trail generates consistent foot traffic and the existing residential base is growing now.

    What business types are best suited to the riverfront’s current stage of development?

    Service businesses with a residential customer base (fitness, childcare, salon), coffee shops targeting trail users and residential commuters, and specialty retail serving the existing condo and apartment population. Restaurant concepts that depend on evening destination traffic from outside the neighborhood are higher risk until the grocery anchor and park open.

    How does the Snohomish River waterfront compare to other Everett retail opportunities?

    The riverfront is the newest and highest-potential-but-longest-timeline option. Waterfront Place at the Port of Everett is the most proven corridor. Millwright District Phase 2 is in active pre-leasing and is further along than the riverfront in its build-out. Each location serves a different risk/return profile.

    What is the park construction timeline and how does it affect foot traffic projections?

    Eclipse Mill Park waterside construction starts summer 2026 (city portion, targeting November 2026 completion). Shelter Holdings’ land-side Phase 1 completes spring 2028. A complete park with dock, playground, and trail connection will materially increase weekend foot traffic — that’s when foot traffic projections for neighboring retail businesses get meaningfully more attractive.

  • For Everett Residents: The Honest Timeline for Eclipse Mill Park and What the Riverfront Is Actually Delivering in 2026

    For Everett Residents: The Honest Timeline for Eclipse Mill Park and What the Riverfront Is Actually Delivering in 2026

    Q: What is the honest timeline for Eclipse Mill Park and Everett’s riverfront as a resident?
    A: The park’s waterside construction begins summer 2026, with Shelter Holdings completing the land-side by spring 2028. The grocery store Everett residents were promised won’t arrive until 2030. The cinema was replaced by pickleball. Some retail storefronts remain empty. The neighborhood is real and growing — but the full retail-and-park vision is still several years away. If you’re living there now or planning to, here is exactly what to expect and when.

    If You Live in the Riverfront Neighborhood — or Plan To

    Everett’s Snohomish River waterfront has been one of the city’s most-discussed development projects since ground broke on the former mill site. For residents already living in the buildings Shelter Holdings has completed, the experience has been mixed: a beautiful site on the river, excellent Interurban Trail access, and a growing residential community — alongside empty ground-floor storefronts and delayed amenities that were part of the original sales pitch.

    Here is what the 2026 construction season actually brings, and what you’ll be waiting on for several more years.

    What You’ll Actually See Built in 2026

    Eclipse Mill Park Phase 1 city construction starts this summer. The City of Everett is handling the waterside portion: bank stabilization along the Snohomish River, a floating dock, and waterfront amenities that will make the park usable from the river. The target is to have the city’s portion complete by November 2026.

    Once the city finishes, Shelter Holdings has 18 months to complete the land-side Phase 1 — the playground, trail connection, play lawn, and parking that will make Eclipse Mill Park the usable community green space it was designed to be. That window runs from fall 2026 through spring 2028. If Shelter Holdings hits that timeline, residents get a complete park in spring 2028.

    That’s real progress. For people who have been watching construction equipment on the site for years, a functional waterfront park with a dock and river access represents the moment the neighborhood begins to feel finished. The summer 2026 construction start is the beginning of that ending.

    What You’re Still Waiting On

    Grocery Store: 2030

    The grocery store that was expected to be a retail anchor for the riverfront neighborhood has been pushed to 2030. If you’re living in the buildings now, that means your nearest walkable grocery option — for at least the next four years — is elsewhere. The QFC on Colby Avenue and the Safeway on Broadway are the nearest established options, each roughly a mile from the riverfront site.

    Cinema: Gone, Replaced by Pickleball

    The cinema concept that was part of the entertainment vision for the riverfront has been replaced by a pickleball facility. Whether that’s a downgrade or a sidegrade depends on your perspective — but if you were planning the evening of dinner and a movie at the waterfront, that programming won’t be available from the riverfront site itself. The Historic Everett Theatre downtown remains the city’s cinema option.

    Ground-Floor Retail: Partial and Selective

    Some ground-floor retail spaces in completed residential buildings remain vacant. The honest reason is that Snohomish County’s retail market is extremely selective right now — the county has the tightest retail vacancy rate in Puget Sound, which means good tenants have options and are taking time choosing locations. The riverfront neighborhood is still building the resident density that makes a coffee shop or restaurant economically viable on its own. That density is coming. It just hasn’t fully arrived yet.

    Services and Resources in the Interim

    While the riverfront’s retail and amenity programming catches up to its housing, downtown Everett — a short walk or bike ride — has a full commercial district with restaurants, cafes, the farmers market (opening Mother’s Day 2026), and the Historic Everett Theatre. The Waterfront Place restaurant cluster at the Port is accessible via the waterfront trail network. Everett’s community services network, including resources through Volunteers of America Western Washington, serves the wider city.

    The Honest Assessment: Good Investment, Delayed Amenities

    Living at the Everett riverfront right now means being an early resident in a neighborhood that isn’t finished. The bones are strong — beautiful site, river access, Interurban Trail connection, genuine density. The timeline for the full vision is longer than originally marketed. The park arrives starting in 2026. The grocery store arrives in 2030. The retail environment is being built incrementally as the neighborhood’s resident population grows.

    That’s a real trade-off, and you deserve to know the honest terms of it before you decide whether to live there.

    Frequently Asked Questions for Everett Residents

    When will Eclipse Mill Park be fully open?

    Spring 2028, if both the city (waterside, summer-November 2026) and Shelter Holdings (land-side, fall 2026-spring 2028) hit their timelines. The park’s waterside portion — dock, bank stabilization, river access — will be complete by November 2026.

    Will there ever be a grocery store at the Everett riverfront?

    Yes, but the opening has been pushed to 2030. Shelter Holdings has committed to the grocery anchor as part of the retail program; the delay reflects tenant recruitment timelines and the density thresholds grocery retailers typically require before committing to new locations.

    Is the Everett riverfront a good neighborhood to live in right now?

    For people who value riverfront access, trail connectivity, and urban density near downtown Everett, yes — with the explicit understanding that the retail and amenity programming is still being built out. The housing itself is solid and the site is genuinely attractive. The full neighborhood vision is several years from completion.

    What is the Interurban Trail and does it connect to the riverfront?

    The Interurban Trail is a paved multi-use path running through Snohomish County. It passes through the Everett riverfront site and provides trail access north and south. It is one of the neighborhood’s most consistent amenities and already functional for residents.

    What is the difference between Eclipse Mill Park and Waterfront Place?

    Eclipse Mill Park is the public park being built at the Snohomish River waterfront site on Everett’s east side (Shelter Holdings development). Waterfront Place is the restaurant and retail district at the Port of Everett on the west side of downtown, along Port Gardner Bay. They are different places serving different parts of the city.

  • Everett’s Snohomish River Waterfront in 2026: The Complete Guide to Eclipse Mill Park Construction, Shelter Holdings’ Delays, and What’s Actually Coming

    Everett’s Snohomish River Waterfront in 2026: The Complete Guide to Eclipse Mill Park Construction, Shelter Holdings’ Delays, and What’s Actually Coming

    Q: Where does the Everett Snohomish River waterfront development stand in 2026?
    A: The City of Everett begins Phase 1 construction on Eclipse Mill Park — the signature 3-acre public green space — in summer 2026, targeting waterside completion by November 2026. Developer Shelter Holdings’ land-side Phase 1 work follows from fall 2026 through spring 2028. The broader Snohomish River waterfront, which envisions up to 1,250 housing units and ground-floor retail, is advancing on housing but faces significant retail delays: a planned grocery store has been pushed to 2030, and a cinema concept was replaced by a pickleball facility. Empty storefronts persist, but the park construction is real and imminent.

    The Park Construction Is Real and It’s Starting This Summer

    Eclipse Mill Park is a 3-acre public green space planned at the heart of Everett’s new Snohomish River waterfront neighborhood — the project Bellevue-based developer Shelter Holdings has been building on a former landfill and lumber mill site on the city’s eastern edge. After years of renderings and timelines, the park has a construction start date: summer 2026.

    The construction has a split structure. The City of Everett handles the waterside portion first: bank stabilization, a floating dock, and waterfront amenities. That city work begins this summer, with a November 2026 completion target. Once the city finishes its portion, Shelter Holdings has an 18-month window to complete the land-side Phase 1 — a playground, trail connection, play lawn, and parking. That clock runs from fall 2026 through spring 2028. Full park opening: spring 2028.

    This is worth emphasizing clearly: Eclipse Mill Park is not a rendering anymore. It is a permitted, funded, construction-season project. For people who have been watching the riverfront site since the first buildings went up, the park has always been the most public-facing milestone. That milestone is arriving.

    What’s Built, What’s Open, What’s Behind Schedule

    Shelter Holdings’ Snohomish River waterfront development is one of the largest private development projects underway in Snohomish County. The housing side has been the most visible: residential buildings have gone up, streets have been built, and a neighborhood has materialized where none existed five years ago. The 1,250-unit vision for the full site is advancing — the housing construction pipeline is real and active.

    The retail side is where the story gets more complicated. An August 2025 Everett Herald investigation captured resident frustration with delays, empty storefronts, and a timeline that has shifted repeatedly. Here’s where specific commitments stand:

    Grocery Store: Delayed to 2030

    A grocery store was among the most anticipated retail anchors for the riverfront neighborhood. That opening has been pushed to 2030. For residents already living in the buildings on-site — and for the thousands expected in subsequent phases — that’s a meaningful gap. Grocery access remains a car trip for the near future.

    Cinema: Replaced by Pickleball

    A cinema concept that was part of the riverfront’s entertainment vision has been replaced by a pickleball facility. This is not a trivial swap in terms of community character: a cinema anchors evening foot traffic from a broad demographic; pickleball serves a narrower (though currently popular) market. The change reflects the broader challenges facing entertainment retail nationally, but it’s still a notable shift from the original vision.

    Empty Storefronts: The Persistent Challenge

    Ground-floor retail in completed residential buildings sits partially vacant. This is partly a function of Snohomish County’s broader retail market — the county has the tightest retail vacancy rate in Puget Sound at 3.4%, which means tenants have options and can be selective. But it also reflects the reality that the riverfront neighborhood hasn’t yet reached the critical mass of residents to attract the most desirable tenants. That equation changes as more housing opens.

    The Site Context: What Everett Is Building Here

    The Snohomish River waterfront site sits on the east side of downtown Everett, bounded by the river, Marine View Drive, and the Interurban Trail. It was previously a landfill and the former site of a sawmill — the “Eclipse Mill” that gives the park its name. Shelter Holdings acquired the development rights and has been executing a phased master plan that encompasses housing (rental apartments), ground-floor retail, a park, and riverfront public access.

    The site is distinct from Everett’s Port waterfront development, which is happening on the west side of downtown around Waterfront Place and the Port of Everett marina. The riverfront is a different neighborhood — quieter, more residential in character, oriented toward the Snohomish River and the Interurban Trail rather than the maritime activity of the Port.

    The Bigger Picture: What the Riverfront Means for Everett

    Everett is simultaneously developing two major waterfronts — the Snohomish River site on the east and the Port marina on the west. Both projects have been slower than initial projections. Both have had to adapt their retail programs to the realities of a selective tenant market and changing entertainment preferences. Both are still real, active construction projects with genuine momentum.

    The riverfront site specifically represents something Everett has not had before: a walkable residential neighborhood built to urban density on a large contiguous parcel close to downtown. When complete, it will house thousands of residents within walking distance of the Snohomish River, the Interurban Trail, and downtown Everett’s amenities. Eclipse Mill Park — the public anchor of that neighborhood — starts construction this summer. That matters.

    For residents and families considering the area, the community services guide for Everett covers the wider network of services and resources available in the city.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When does Eclipse Mill Park construction start?

    City of Everett construction on the waterside portion of Phase 1 begins in summer 2026, targeting November 2026 completion. Shelter Holdings’ land-side Phase 1 work follows from fall 2026 through spring 2028, with full park opening projected for spring 2028.

    Who is the developer of the Snohomish River waterfront in Everett?

    Shelter Holdings, a Bellevue-based developer, holds the development rights and is leading the master plan for the site. The City of Everett is a partner on public infrastructure including the park’s waterside portion.

    How many housing units will the Everett riverfront development include?

    The full master plan envisions up to 1,250 housing units across multiple phases. The residential construction is active and ongoing; the retail component has faced delays.

    Why was the grocery store delayed and when will it open?

    The grocery store anchor has been pushed to 2030. The specific reasons have not been publicly detailed by Shelter Holdings, but grocery retailers have been cautious about committing to new locations in markets that haven’t yet reached resident density thresholds.

    Is the Snohomish River waterfront the same as Waterfront Place at the Port of Everett?

    No. These are two distinct developments. The Snohomish River waterfront (Eclipse Mill, Shelter Holdings) is on the east side of downtown Everett, oriented toward the river and the Interurban Trail. Waterfront Place is at the Port of Everett on the west side, along Port Gardner Bay, and is focused on marina-adjacent dining and retail.

    What happened to the cinema that was planned for the riverfront?

    The cinema concept was replaced by a pickleball facility. This reflects broader trends in entertainment retail nationally, where cinema anchor tenants have become harder to secure, and also reflects adjustments to the retail program based on the current tenant market.

  • For Boeing Engineers and Technical Workers at Everett: Your Personal Guide to the SPEEA 2026 Bargaining Season

    For Boeing Engineers and Technical Workers at Everett: Your Personal Guide to the SPEEA 2026 Bargaining Season

    Q: What should Boeing engineers and technical workers at Everett know about the SPEEA 2026 bargaining season?
    A: Your contract expires October 6, 2026. SPEEA’s Contract Action Team launched in April 2026 and formal bargaining sessions with Boeing are underway. The four issues your union is pushing hardest on are: paid time off consolidation, retirement, annual raise pools, and on-call compensation. October 6 is the hard deadline. How you can participate: follow SPEEA’s CAT updates, attend member meetings, and respond to any ratification vote when the new contract is ready.

    Your Contract Expires October 6, 2026 — Here’s Where Things Stand Right Now

    If you’re an engineer or technical worker at Boeing’s Everett campus, Renton, or anywhere else in the Puget Sound aerospace corridor, your SPEEA contract has 153 days left from when this article publishes. That’s not a distant deadline. It’s a summer of negotiations, a ratification vote if a deal is reached, and a hard stop on October 6 if it isn’t.

    SPEEA held its Contract Action Team (CAT) kickoff in April 2026 — which means the mobilization infrastructure at your worksite is now active. The CAT is SPEEA’s signal to Boeing management that members are organized, watching the table, and prepared to respond if talks stall. If you haven’t heard from your CAT representative yet, you likely will.

    Here’s what to know now, before the summer’s negotiating heat arrives.

    The Four Issues That Directly Affect Your Paycheck and Life at Work

    PTO Consolidation: Vacation + Sick Leave → One Pool

    The current split between vacation and sick leave is the kind of thing that seems minor until you need it. Boeing’s current structure creates awkward situations: engineers who bank significant vacation time but feel they can’t use sick leave without “wasting” accruals, or the reverse. SPEEA is pushing to consolidate these into a unified PTO structure — something that’s become standard across Seattle’s tech sector (Amazon, Microsoft, Google all do this). If this succeeds, it means more flexibility over how you use your time away from work, without the structural pressure the split creates.

    Retirement: What’s Actually on the Table

    Boeing closed its defined-benefit pension to new hires years ago. If you joined the company after that cutoff, your retirement picture is your 401(k) and whatever Boeing contributes. SPEEA’s 2026 ask involves improving retirement contributions or adjusting benefit structures for the current workforce — particularly as Everett engineers face one of the most expensive regional housing markets in the Pacific Northwest. For an Everett engineer doing the math on whether to stay vs. leave for an Amazon or SpaceX offer, the retirement package is a real variable.

    Raise Pools: Keeping Pace With Seattle Tech

    This one is direct. Boeing competes for your labor against companies in the Seattle corridor that pay $150K+ for mid-level engineers without much negotiation. The annual raise pool controls how much Boeing puts into merit increases each year. SPEEA is pushing for a raise pool that reflects the current labor market — not 2020’s. Given that Boeing’s recovery is producing real numbers and the company is actively hiring for the Everett North Line ramp, the argument that “Boeing can’t afford it” is harder to make in 2026 than it was in 2020.

    On-Call Compensation: The Issue the North Line Makes Urgent

    The 737 North Line coming to Everett this summer means more engineering coordination across two campuses — Renton and Everett simultaneously running 737 production — which means more after-hours calls when something goes wrong on the floor. SPEEA is pushing for better compensation when your role requires on-call availability outside your scheduled hours. For engineers whose job descriptions include production support, this isn’t a theoretical issue. It’s a real cost of the job that isn’t currently reflected in your compensation.

    Why You Have More Leverage Than in 2020

    The 2020 SPEEA contract was negotiated while Boeing was cutting 16,000 jobs, the 737 MAX was grounded, and the pandemic had decimated aviation demand. The power dynamic at the table in 2020 was obvious. Boeing needed engineers to stay, but it also needed to cut costs fast.

    In 2026, the company at the table is in recovery. Boeing delivered 143 aircraft in Q1 2026. April 2026 deliveries continued the positive trend. The North Line is coming to Everett — an expansion decision, not a contraction. Spirit AeroSystems is being integrated. The $3B free cash flow target is being publicly tracked. A company in that position has more to lose from an engineer work action than a company in crisis mode.

    That doesn’t mean a deal is guaranteed, or that SPEEA will get everything it’s asking for. It means the leverage calculus is different — and your union knows it.

    What Happens If No Deal Is Reached by October 6

    If SPEEA and Boeing don’t reach an agreement by October 6, 2026, the union membership would vote on what to do — which could include working under the expired contract terms while negotiations continue, or authorizing a strike. SPEEA has struck before (most notably in 2000 and briefly in 2012), but those were different contexts. The more typical outcome in SPEEA negotiations is a negotiated settlement before expiration. That’s been the pattern across most recent cycles. But the CAT infrastructure exists precisely to make the other scenario credible if needed.

    For engineers considering their options — including whether Everett makes sense as a long-term base — the 2026 aerospace worker guide covers the wider program picture for Everett’s workforce.

    Frequently Asked Questions for Boeing Workers

    When does my SPEEA contract expire?

    October 6, 2026. Formal bargaining sessions with Boeing began in spring 2026 following the Contract Action Team kickoff in April.

    What are the four things SPEEA is asking for in 2026?

    PTO consolidation (combining vacation and sick leave into one pool), improved retirement benefits, larger annual raise pools, and better compensation for on-call work outside scheduled hours.

    How can I participate in the SPEEA bargaining process?

    Connect with your Contract Action Team representative at your worksite (they launched in April 2026). Attend member meetings when announced. Respond to SPEEA surveys. When a tentative agreement is reached, vote on ratification. Your participation in the CAT signal is what makes the union’s leverage real.

    Does the 737 North Line moving to Everett affect this negotiation?

    Yes, indirectly. The North Line’s summer 2026 arrival at Everett creates additional engineering coordination work — exactly when SPEEA is negotiating. Boeing has a strong interest in avoiding labor disruption during a major production ramp, which strengthens SPEEA’s position at the table.

    Am I covered by SPEEA if I work in a technical role at Boeing’s Everett campus?

    If you are in the Technical Unit (non-engineering technical roles), yes — that unit is covered under the same SPEEA contract as the Northwest Professional Unit (engineers), though the units negotiate their portions separately. Your bargaining unit council elected its negotiating team in February 2026.

  • SPEEA’s 2026 Contract Talks: The Complete Guide to What Boeing’s Puget Sound Engineers Are Bargaining For—and What It Means for Everett

    SPEEA’s 2026 Contract Talks: The Complete Guide to What Boeing’s Puget Sound Engineers Are Bargaining For—and What It Means for Everett

    Q: When does SPEEA’s Boeing contract expire and what are they bargaining for in 2026?
    A: SPEEA’s current contract with Boeing expires on October 6, 2026. The union’s Contract Action Team launched in April 2026, and formal bargaining sessions are underway. The four core priorities are: paid time off and vacation/sick leave consolidation, retirement benefits, annual raise pools, and on-call work compensation. This negotiation covers approximately 17,000 Boeing engineers and technical workers in the Puget Sound region — including thousands based in Everett and at Paine Field.

    Why 2026 Is Unlike Any Prior SPEEA Negotiation

    The last time SPEEA and Boeing sat down to bargain a major contract — in 2020 — the world looked very different. Boeing was bleeding. The 737 MAX had been grounded for 20 months. The pandemic had just shuttered aviation. The company cut 16,000 jobs. The power at the negotiating table was obvious.

    Six years later, the company across the table is structurally different. Boeing delivered 143 aircraft in Q1 2026. The company is on a documented path toward its $3 billion annual free cash flow target. CEO Kelly Ortberg’s turnaround thesis is generating real numbers — and real confidence. Most importantly for Everett: the 737 North Line is coming to Everett this summer, moving production from Renton and adding jobs, complexity, and strategic weight to the Everett campus.

    That context matters when reading SPEEA’s 2026 bargaining posture. Engineers and technicians are bargaining in a recovery — not a crisis. And SPEEA’s membership knows the difference.

    How the Bargaining Process Works

    SPEEA’s negotiation cycle for a contract of this scale starts months before formal sessions begin. The Negotiation Prep Committee (NPC) conducted four surveys of its membership to identify priorities. The final NPC survey, which closed in early spring 2026, narrowed focus to four specific areas: paid time off and vacation/sick leave consolidation, retirement, annual raise pools, and on-call work compensation.

    Those four issues are not picked arbitrarily. They reflect what SPEEA’s 17,000 Puget Sound members — engineers in the Northwest Professional Unit and technical workers in the Technical Unit — specifically flagged as most important to their working lives. The NPC process is designed to give the bargaining team a mandate grounded in actual member priorities, not leadership assumptions.

    In February 2026, both Bargaining Unit Councils elected their negotiating teams. In April, SPEEA held its Contract Action Team (CAT) kickoff — the worksite-level mobilization infrastructure that organizes engineers at their desks and on their floors to amplify pressure during formal negotiations. The CAT is the union’s signal to Boeing that members are engaged, watching, and prepared to act if talks break down.

    Formal bargaining sessions are now underway, with the October 6, 2026 expiration date as the hard deadline. The typical SPEEA negotiation runs through spring and summer, with resolution expected before the contract lapses.

    The Four Issues on the Table

    1. Paid Time Off and Vacation/Sick Leave Consolidation

    The current structure separates vacation and sick leave into distinct buckets, which SPEEA members have flagged as administratively complex and, in some cases, creating perverse incentives around illness. Consolidation into a unified PTO structure is a top-priority ask — one that Boeing has resisted in prior cycles but that has become nearly universal across the tech sector that Boeing competes with for engineering talent.

    2. Retirement

    Boeing closed its defined-benefit pension to new hires years ago, transitioning to 401(k)-based retirement benefits. For engineers who have been with the company for 10 to 20+ years, the retirement package is a material component of total compensation — and the current inflationary environment has made the adequacy of those benefits a live conversation. SPEEA is pushing for improved retirement contributions or benefit structures in 2026.

    3. Annual Raise Pools

    This is the most straightforward of the four priorities: how much Boeing puts into merit increase pools each year. SPEEA members have watched Boeing compete aggressively for engineering talent from Amazon, Microsoft, and the broader Seattle tech corridor. The raise pool question is about whether Boeing’s compensation keeps pace with a region where $150K+ for experienced software and mechanical engineers is increasingly baseline, not premium.

    4. On-Call Work Compensation

    As Boeing’s production has ramped — and as the 737 North Line’s summer 2026 Everett launch creates additional coordination complexity across two campuses — on-call demands on engineers have increased. SPEEA is seeking improved compensation for hours worked outside of scheduled shifts, particularly for technical workers whose roles require after-hours availability during production emergencies.

    What This Means for Everett Specifically

    Everett is not just a Boeing address. It’s the campus where the 777, 767, 747 (historical), and now the incoming 737 production lines have lived. The engineers and technicians covered by SPEEA’s contract are the people who design, analyze, and verify those aircraft. When SPEEA’s contract gets resolved — or if it doesn’t — the ripple effects land directly on the Everett campus, on hiring pipelines for Paine Field’s aerospace ecosystem, and on the families who live in Snohomish County because of these jobs.

    The North Line’s arrival in Everett this summer adds a layer of complexity to the 2026 bargaining that didn’t exist in 2020. Integrating 737 production at the Everett site — historically a widebody campus — requires engineering coordination work that SPEEA members will be doing while simultaneously negotiating their own contract. It’s a uniquely pressured negotiating environment, and both sides know it.

    For engineers and technical workers considering whether to join Boeing’s Everett campus, the SPEEA contract outcome will also shape the compensation package they’re offered. The 2026 contract sets the floor for the next several years. That makes the outcome of this particular bargaining season more consequential than usual for the Everett labor market. For more on what Boeing’s workforce picture looks like heading into 2026, the widebody transition guide covers the context.

    The Regional Stakes: SPEEA Compared to IAM

    SPEEA is frequently overshadowed by IAM District 751 — the machinists’ union that went on strike in September 2024 and whose contract negotiations have historically drawn more public attention. But SPEEA’s 17,000 engineers and technical workers represent a different segment of Boeing’s workforce: the people who certify designs, run stress analyses, manage FAA conformity demonstrations, and lead program engineering. The 2024 IAM strike shut down production lines. A 2026 SPEEA disruption would affect a different but equally critical layer of Boeing’s operation — the engineering and technical backbone that makes production possible in the first place.

    Boeing’s leadership is acutely aware of this. Q1 2026’s 143 deliveries represent a company fighting to hit its recovery numbers. A prolonged SPEEA negotiation that tips into a work action would set that recovery back. That dynamic shapes how seriously Boeing is treating the current bargaining sessions — and why SPEEA is in a stronger position in 2026 than it has been in years.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When does SPEEA’s current Boeing contract expire?

    The contract expires on October 6, 2026. Formal bargaining sessions began in spring 2026 following the Contract Action Team kickoff in April.

    How many workers does SPEEA cover at Boeing?

    Approximately 17,000 engineers and technical workers in the Puget Sound region, covering Boeing’s Everett, Renton, and Seattle-area campuses. The contract covers both the Northwest Professional Unit (engineers) and the Technical Unit (technical workers).

    What are SPEEA’s top four priorities in the 2026 negotiation?

    The four issues identified through SPEEA’s member surveys are: (1) paid time off and vacation/sick leave consolidation; (2) retirement benefits; (3) annual raise pools; and (4) on-call work compensation. These were identified through the Negotiation Prep Committee’s four member surveys conducted in late 2025 and early 2026.

    Is SPEEA the same as the IAM machinists’ union at Boeing?

    No. SPEEA (Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace) represents engineers and technical workers. IAM District 751 represents production and maintenance workers. They negotiate separately, have separate contracts, and represent distinct workforces. IAM went on strike in September 2024; SPEEA’s last contract was signed in 2020.

    What happened in the 2020 SPEEA contract negotiation?

    The 2020 contract was negotiated during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, while Boeing was also managing the aftermath of the 737 MAX grounding. Boeing cut 16,000 jobs that year. The environment heavily favored management. The 2026 negotiation takes place in very different conditions — Boeing is in recovery, delivering aircraft, and expanding the Everett campus.

    What is the Contract Action Team (CAT) and what does it do?

    The Contract Action Team is SPEEA’s worksite-level mobilization structure. It organizes union members at their desks and on the floor to demonstrate solidarity and amplify pressure during formal bargaining. The CAT kickoff in April 2026 signaled that SPEEA’s membership is engaged and prepared to respond if negotiations break down.

    How does the 737 North Line moving to Everett affect the 2026 SPEEA negotiations?

    The North Line’s summer 2026 arrival at Everett adds engineering coordination complexity — running two different airplane programs on one campus — exactly while SPEEA is bargaining. This means SPEEA members are doing significant new work precisely when they have the most leverage, and Boeing has the most incentive to avoid disruption. It’s an unusually pressured negotiating environment for both sides.