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.

  • Sound Transit’s New ST3 Plan Fully Funds Everett Link — Here’s What Resolution R2026-11 Actually Says

    Sound Transit’s New ST3 Plan Fully Funds Everett Link — Here’s What Resolution R2026-11 Actually Says

    Q: Is Everett Link still happening?
    A: Yes. Under Resolution R2026-11 presented to Sound Transit’s Executive Committee on May 7, 2026, both phases of the Everett Link Extension are listed as fully funded. The Sound Transit Board votes on the resolution on May 28.

    For years, Snohomish County residents have watched Sound Transit’s budget crisis unfold with a single question hanging over everything: will Everett actually get light rail?

    Sound Transit answered that question Thursday. Board Chair Dave Somers — Snohomish County Executive — presented Resolution R2026-11 to the agency’s Executive Committee, formally proposing a restructured ST3 System Plan. Under that resolution, both phases of the Everett Link Extension are listed as fully funded. The board votes on May 28.

    This is the specific plan that was described in broad strokes at April’s town hall and debated ahead of the May 28 board meeting in recent months as Sound Transit navigated a $34.5 billion funding shortfall. Now it’s a named resolution with line-item project determinations, and Everett’s two light rail phases are in the fully-funded column.

    Here’s what the resolution actually says — and what it means for the people who live between Lynnwood and downtown Everett.

    What Is Resolution R2026-11?

    R2026-11 is the Sound Transit Board’s formal proposal to update the voter-approved ST3 System Plan to bring it within the agency’s actual financial capacity. The resolution was introduced at the Executive Committee meeting on May 7, 2026, as a “discussion only” action. The board will take final action on May 28, 2026.

    The resolution covers every project in the ST3 program and places each one in one of three categories: fully funded, partially funded through planning and design only, or construction not currently affordable. It also establishes a separate “defer until resources are identified” list for items like parking garages.

    Staff preparing the resolution are Dow Constantine (CEO) and Alex Krieg (Deputy Executive Director – Enterprise Planning). The $34.5 billion shortfall driving the restructuring reflects COVID-era construction inflation, right-of-way cost escalation, added design complexity, reduced sales tax projections, and higher financing costs.

    The Bottom Line for Everett: Both Phases Are Fully Funded

    The resolution’s “Fully Funded Projects (opening order)” table includes:

    • Everett Link, phase 1
    • Everett Link, phase 2

    Both phases appear in the same column as West Seattle Link, Tacoma Dome Link, and the Ballard Link initial segment to Seattle Center. The word “construction” is the operative term — these are not design-only commitments. The trains, the tracks, and the stations are funded. This is the answer to the uncertainty that has hung over Snohomish County since cost estimates started climbing.

    The only Everett-related item on the deferred list is Everett Link Parking, which is pushed until additional resources are identified. The light rail service itself is funded. Park-and-ride construction is not.

    What Got Cut

    R2026-11 is explicit about what does not fit within Sound Transit’s financial capacity right now.

    Construction not currently affordable: The full Ballard Link Extension from Seattle Center to Market Street is not funded for construction — only design through final stages. The Boeing Access Road Link Infill Station and Graham Street Infill Station are also in this category for construction, along with the remainder of Sounder South Additional Trips and remaining ST4 planning studies.

    Deferred until resources are identified: In addition to Everett Link Parking, this list includes Tacoma Dome Link Parking, Stride Parking, North Sammamish Park & Ride, Edmonds and Mukilteo Parking and Access, the Bus on Shoulder Project, SR 162 Corridor Improvements, and multiple Sounder improvements.

    Some projects remain funded but on extended timelines: The Tacoma Community College T Line extension is still funded but pushed back to 2043. The South Kirkland to Issaquah Link remains funded but pushed back to 2050.

    Why Everett Wins: The Subarea Equity Explanation

    Sound Transit’s taxing district is divided into five geographic subareas: Snohomish, North King, South King, East King, and Pierce. By policy, tax revenue collected in each subarea is primarily used on projects within that subarea.

    This structure is the central reason Everett Link survives while the full Ballard extension does not.

    The Ballard Link Extension is by far the most expensive project in ST3. It includes a second light rail tunnel under downtown Seattle — a design choice that has driven its costs far above initial estimates. Funding that project fully would require the North King subarea to borrow so aggressively that it would push other systemwide projects back by decades.

    The Snohomish subarea, by contrast, has lower cost overruns relative to its budget. Everett Link’s cost increases, while real, are smaller as a percentage of the subarea’s overall financial capacity. The resolution is explicit: building extensions to Everett and Tacoma Dome is affordable within available resources, while building the full Ballard extension is not.

    This is exactly what Everett City Council’s unanimous April demand letter to Sound Transit argued: that the Snohomish subarea pays its own way, and that Snohomish taxpayers should not be asked to fund Seattle projects at the expense of their own extension.

    The resolution also makes one financial adjustment to address debt allocation: interest on bond repayments will be shared systemwide across all five subareas, rather than charged only to the subarea that incurs the debt. This is described as compliant with ST3’s financial policies.

    What Comes Next

    May 28, 2026 is the next critical date. That’s when the Sound Transit Board takes final action on R2026-11. The May 7 Executive Committee meeting was discussion-only; no vote was taken.

    If the board adopts R2026-11 on May 28, the restructured ST3 System Plan becomes the official program of record. Projects that are fully funded would proceed on their adopted schedules. Projects in the “not currently affordable” category — like the full Ballard extension — would wait until costs drop, revenues increase, or additional funding sources are identified.

    The resolution also directs Sound Transit’s CEO to develop an adaptive program management plan by Q4 2026. That plan is designed to provide earlier warnings when project costs exceed forecasts, so the agency does not face the kind of sudden multi-billion-dollar reckoning that drove the current restructuring.

    Timeline: When Does Everett Actually Get Light Rail?

    Resolution R2026-11 does not update specific opening year projections for Everett Link. The current published range — 2037 to 2041 — remains the planning framework, and the resolution states that “all previously baselined projects are proceeding on their adopted schedules.”

    What has changed is the funding certainty behind that timeline. The unresolved question at the April town hall — whether Everett would even be in the plan — now has an official answer in the form of a board resolution. Both phases are funded. Construction will proceed.

    The Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which will set more precise station locations and alignments, is expected later in 2026. That document will open a formal public comment period that Snohomish County residents will be able to participate in directly.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is Resolution R2026-11?

    A formal Sound Transit Board resolution to update the ST3 System Plan, placing each project into a funded, partially funded, or not-currently-affordable category based on the agency’s actual financial capacity. The Executive Committee heard it May 7; the board votes May 28.

    Are both phases of Everett Link funded?

    Yes. Under R2026-11 as presented May 7, both Everett Link phase 1 and phase 2 are listed as fully funded projects. Everett Link Parking is deferred to a separate future funding decision.

    Is the resolution final?

    No. The Executive Committee heard the resolution on May 7 as a discussion item. The full Sound Transit Board votes on May 28, 2026.

    Why is Everett funded but Ballard is not?

    Sound Transit’s subarea equity structure requires that Snohomish tax revenues be spent on Snohomish projects. The Snohomish subarea has lower cost overruns relative to its budget than the North King (Seattle) subarea, which bears the cost of the Ballard tunnel project.

    What does “Everett Link Parking” being deferred mean?

    Park-and-ride garages at Everett Link stations are not included in the current funding plan. The light rail stations, tracks, and service remain fully funded. Parking construction would require additional resources to be identified before proceeding.

    When will Sound Transit make the final decision?

    The board is scheduled to take final action on R2026-11 at its May 28, 2026 meeting.

    What To Do Next

    • Comment on R2026-11: Submit public comment at soundtransit.org or contact Sound Transit before May 28. Written comments submitted before the board meeting are included in the public record.
    • Watch the May 28 board meeting: Sound Transit board meetings are open to the public and streamed online. Meeting details are published at soundtransit.org/board-of-directors.
    • Contact your Sound Transit board representatives: Snohomish County board representatives include the County Executive and Mayor of Everett. Find contact information at soundtransit.org/board-of-directors.
    • Watch for the Draft EIS: The Everett Link Extension Draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected later in 2026 and will open a formal public comment period on station locations and alignments.
    • Track the adaptive management plan: Sound Transit’s CEO is directed to present the new adaptive program management framework by Q4 2026.
  • Grand Avenue Park: Everett’s Most Overlooked Viewpoint Has a Paved Trail, Port Gardner Views, and a Bridge to the Waterfront

    Grand Avenue Park: Everett’s Most Overlooked Viewpoint Has a Paved Trail, Port Gardner Views, and a Bridge to the Waterfront

    Q: What can you see from Grand Avenue Park in Everett?
    A: Grand Avenue Park offers sweeping views of Port Gardner Bay, the Olympic Mountains, Whidbey Island, and Naval Station Everett’s marina. The 5-acre City of Everett park sits on a bluff at 1800 Grand Ave, features a paved ADA-accessible trail, and connects to the waterfront via a pedestrian bridge. Open 6 a.m. to dusk, free.

    There is a five-acre park in Everett where you can stand on a paved trail, look west, and see Port Gardner Bay, Whidbey Island, the Olympic Mountain range, and Naval Station Everett’s marina all at once. In May, when the mountains are still snow-covered and the water runs that particular deep gray-blue, it’s one of the better views in the city.

    Most Everett residents haven’t been there.

    Grand Avenue Park at 1800 Grand Ave sits on the bluff above Marine View Drive in the Port Gardner neighborhood — one of Everett’s most historic corridors. The park is listed as a Viewpoint facility by Everett Parks & Recreation, open 6 a.m. to dusk, and free to visit. It’s five acres of landscaped, paved walking trail with benches, grass, and one of the most genuinely satisfying overlook experiences in the city.

    The reason most people haven’t been: the turn off Grand Avenue isn’t obvious, the park doesn’t have large signage from the main routes, and it sits in a neighborhood that most drivers pass through rather than stop in. That’s worth correcting.

    What You’ll Find at the Park

    Walk into the park from the Grand Avenue entrance and you’re immediately on a paved, landscaped trail. The trail curves along the bluff edge, with several overlook points where benches face west toward the Sound. The views open up as you walk north: Port Gardner Bay, the marina below, the Port of Everett’s working waterfront, Whidbey Island in the middle distance, and on clear days the full ridge of the Olympic Mountains across the water.

    Below you, Marine View Drive runs along the base of the bluff. The Port of Everett’s waterfront complex — Waterfront Place, the marina, the working piers — is visible directly below. It’s the kind of vantage point that makes the scale of Everett’s waterfront make sense in a way that walking along Marine View Drive doesn’t quite capture.

    The park is 5 acres. It doesn’t have a sports complex — it’s a viewpoint park, designed around the overlook experience. There are grassy areas for sitting, benches at the overlook points, and a paved surface that’s ADA accessible and open to cyclists.

    At the north end of the park, a pedestrian bridge crosses Marine View Drive and connects directly to the waterfront on foot or by bike. This is one of the practical reasons the park deserves more attention: it makes the bluff and the waterfront part of the same trip, rather than two separate destinations requiring a car move.

    A Park Since 1906

    Grand Avenue Park has been part of Everett’s parks system since 1906 — one of the city’s oldest park properties. Port Gardner, the neighborhood it sits in, is the original center of Everett — the landing point where the city began in the early 1890s. The bluff the park occupies looks out over the same bay that Vancouver charted in 1792 and that early Everett settlers considered the defining geographic feature of the place they were building.

    The park was established as a viewpoint during the period when Grand Avenue was first built out as a residential street for Everett’s founding families. The overlook function has been consistent throughout: this has always been the spot where people come to look at the water. Northwest Everett’s historic core sits just a few blocks east, and the visual connection from the park down to the waterfront the early settlers built is as clear today as it was 120 years ago.

    When to Visit

    May and early June are the best months for the view. The mountains are still carrying their winter snowpack, the air is clear between rain systems, and the late afternoon light turns the bay silver. It’s not warm enough to stay all day, but absolutely worth a morning or afternoon stop.

    Weekday mornings are the park at its liveliest — ferry traffic on the Sound, marina activity below, Port of Everett operations visible in the working waterfront. If you want the park with a backdrop of actual Everett activity, early morning on a weekday delivers that.

    Weekday midday is quiet. The benches are open. The trail is uncrowded. You can have the overlook largely to yourself, which is either a feature or a bug depending on what you’re after.

    Getting There

    The park address is 1800 Grand Ave, Everett, WA 98201. From downtown, head north on Rucker Avenue and turn west onto Grand Avenue — follow Grand all the way to where the bluff begins. Street parking is available along Grand Avenue.

    The park is classified as a Viewpoint facility on the City of Everett’s parks system. Hours are 6 a.m. to dusk, year-round. No admission fee.

    The Pedestrian Bridge

    The Grand Avenue pedestrian bridge at the north end of the park crosses Marine View Drive and connects to the waterfront level below. It’s ADA accessible and open to cyclists. This is the practical detail that makes Grand Avenue Park a genuine starting point for a longer outing rather than just a viewpoint stop.

    From the park, you can cross the bridge, walk the waterfront complex, and return via the pedestrian access — a loop that’s probably two to three miles depending on how far you extend it along Marine View Drive or into the marina area. It’s almost entirely paved and connects to one of the more active sections of Everett’s waterfront.

    How It Fits With Everett’s Other Parks

    For families exploring Everett’s outdoor spaces, Grand Avenue Park sits comfortably in the same conversation as Howarth Park (south Everett, beach and forest trails), Thornton A. Sullivan Park at Silver Lake (east, disc golf and lake access), and Langus Riverfront Park (north, wildlife estuary trail). Each is a different experience — Grand Avenue is the one with the panoramic bay view and the bridge to the waterfront.

    It’s also the most central. For anyone based downtown, in Port Gardner, or in northwest Everett, this park is close in a way that the others aren’t. You don’t need to drive to a trailhead. You walk to the end of Grand Avenue and you’re there.

    A Simple Case

    Open 6 a.m. to dusk, 365 days a year. Free. ADA accessible. Five acres of paved trail on a bluff above the water, with views that most cities would charge admission for. A pedestrian bridge to the waterfront. Benches. A grassy area. Established in 1906.

    If you’ve lived in Everett for years and somehow missed this park, May is a good time to go find it.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where is Grand Avenue Park in Everett?
    Grand Avenue Park is located at 1800 Grand Ave, Everett, WA 98201, on the bluff above Marine View Drive in the Port Gardner neighborhood. Open 6 a.m. to dusk daily.

    What can you see from Grand Avenue Park?
    The park offers panoramic views of Port Gardner Bay, the Olympic Mountains, Whidbey Island, Naval Station Everett’s marina, and the Port of Everett waterfront complex below the bluff.

    Is Grand Avenue Park ADA accessible?
    Yes. The park features a paved, ADA-accessible trail throughout. The Grand Avenue pedestrian bridge — which connects the park to Marine View Drive and the waterfront — is also ADA accessible and open to cyclists.

    Is there parking at Grand Avenue Park?
    Street parking is available along Grand Avenue. The park does not have a dedicated parking lot.

    How do I get from Grand Avenue Park to the Everett waterfront?
    The Grand Avenue pedestrian bridge at the north end of the park crosses Marine View Drive and connects directly to the waterfront level. It’s open to pedestrians and cyclists and is ADA accessible.

    How old is Grand Avenue Park?
    Grand Avenue Park was established in 1906, making it one of Everett’s oldest park properties.

    How big is Grand Avenue Park in Everett?
    Grand Avenue Park is 5 acres, featuring a paved walking trail, overlook benches facing Port Gardner Bay, grassy areas, and a pedestrian bridge to the waterfront at the north end.

    Is Grand Avenue Park free?
    Yes. Grand Avenue Park is a City of Everett public park with no admission fee. Hours are 6 a.m. to dusk year-round.

  • Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County Is Turning 80 — Here’s What the Everett Club Has Offered This Community for Eight Decades

    Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County Is Turning 80 — Here’s What the Everett Club Has Offered This Community for Eight Decades

    📖 Exploring Everett — In-Depth Coverage of This Story

    Q: What does the Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County offer in Everett?
    A: The Everett Boys & Girls Club serves nearly 1,000 members ages 5–18 annually with before and after school care, summer camp, STEM programs, fine arts, sports, teen programs, and the Power Hour homework help program. In 2026, the organization is celebrating its 80th anniversary.

    When the Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County opened its first club in Everett back in 1946, the city looked very different. Boeing was still ramping up after World War II. Everett was building its future. And a group of community members decided that kids needed a safe, positive place to spend their time outside of school hours.

    Eight decades later, that same conviction is still the engine of the organization — and the Everett Club is still one of the most active in the county.

    In 2026, Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County is celebrating its 80th anniversary. It’s a milestone worth understanding, because a lot of Everett families still don’t know what’s inside that building — or how accessible it is to get their kids enrolled.

    The Everett Club: What It Is, What It Does

    The Everett Boys & Girls Club has been at its current location since 1965 and serves nearly 1,000 members every year. Members are kids ages 5–18. The programs span a wide range: before and after school childcare for working families, summer camp with all-day activities, STEM programming, fine arts classes, sports leagues, and specialized programming for teens.

    The Power Hour homework help program is one of the most popular offerings — structured academic support during the after-school hours when kids are most likely to fall behind. For families navigating Everett’s strong academic environment — including the Everett School District’s record 96.3% graduation rate — after-school structure makes a real difference.

    The club’s three core pillars — Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles, and Character and Leadership Development — aren’t just marketing language. They’re the framework that shapes how programs are designed and how staff measure outcomes.

    The South Everett/Mukilteo Club extends the organization’s reach into the southern part of the city, serving families closer to Casino Road and the Mukilteo School District boundary. Between the two Everett-area clubs, the coverage across the city is substantial.

    Turning 80 in a County With 27 Clubs

    Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County now operates 27 clubs across the county — Everett, South Everett/Mukilteo, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Arlington, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Granite Falls, and more. But the Everett Club holds a particular distinction: it was the first.

    In 1946, when this organization was just getting started, Everett was the entry point. The 80th anniversary the organization is marking throughout 2026 carries that history. For families in Everett who have been sending kids to the Club for generations, this anniversary year has a specific resonance.

    Summer 2026: Registration Is Open Now

    Summer 2026 programming is now available for enrollment. The summer camp program offers all-day care with activities, special guests, and weekly themes — which makes it one of the more practical options for working parents who need full-day coverage during June, July, and August.

    Unlike school-year programming, summer camp is structured to keep kids engaged across a longer day. Themes rotate weekly, activities include both indoor and outdoor programming, and the Club’s staffing model ensures kids are actively doing things — not just being watched.

    Summer slots fill faster than most families expect. Registration is online at bgcsc.org.

    What It Costs — And Who It’s For

    Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County is structured to be accessible to families at a range of income levels. The organization actively fundraises and seeks sponsorships specifically to keep membership fees from being a barrier. If cost is a concern, it’s worth asking — the Club has mechanisms to help.

    This is not a private enrichment program for one demographic. The Club’s entire model is built on serving kids who need it most — kids who benefit from having somewhere structured, safe, and run by adults who know what they’re doing during the hours between school dismissal and when a working parent gets home. It’s the same mission that drives organizations like Housing Hope and Cocoon House in Everett — a community that has a long history of building infrastructure around young people who need it.

    That mission has not changed in 80 years.

    How This Connects to Everett’s Bigger Picture

    The Everett School District posted a record 96.3% graduation rate. The Cascade High IB program is drawing families from across south Everett. EvCC and WSU Everett are within reach for teens thinking about what comes after high school. The Mukilteo School District is investing heavily in its south Everett service area.

    The Boys & Girls Club fits into this ecosystem as connective tissue — the place where kids build the habits, relationships, and confidence that make those next steps more likely to land. Academic success doesn’t happen in school alone. The Club is one of the few organizations in Everett specifically designed to fill the after-school hours well.

    Getting Started

    Both Everett-area clubs are part of Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County, with unified registration at bgcsc.org/clubs/everett and a social presence through their Facebook page and @BGClubsSC on X.

    Eighty years in, the Club is still one of the best investments available to Everett kids and families. Summer 2026 registration is open. If your family hasn’t walked through the door yet, this is a good year to start.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What ages does the Boys & Girls Club Everett serve?
    The Everett Boys & Girls Club serves members ages 5–18 through before and after school programs, summer camp, sports, STEM, Power Hour homework help, and teen programming.

    Is there a Boys & Girls Club in South Everett?
    Yes. The South Everett/Mukilteo Club serves families in the southern part of the city, including areas near Casino Road and the Mukilteo School District boundary.

    How much does Boys & Girls Club membership cost in Everett?
    Membership fees are kept low by design. The organization actively raises funds to keep the Club accessible. Current pricing is available at bgcsc.org or by contacting the Everett Club directly.

    Is summer 2026 registration open at the Boys & Girls Club?
    Yes. Summer 2026 registration is open at bgcsc.org. The summer camp program offers all-day care with weekly themed activities and special guests.

    What programs does the Everett Boys & Girls Club offer?
    Programs include STEM, Power Hour (homework help), fine arts, sports leagues, teen programming, before and after school childcare, and summer camp — organized around Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles, and Character and Leadership Development.

    When was the Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County founded?
    The organization was founded in 1946 when the Everett Club became the first club in Snohomish County. In 2026, Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County is celebrating its 80th anniversary.

    How many clubs does Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County operate?
    As of 2026, the organization operates 27 clubs across Snohomish County, from Everett and Lake Stevens to Arlington, Marysville, Lynnwood, Edmonds, and beyond.

  • Grupo Niche Is Coming to the Historic Everett Theatre on May 31 — A Latin Grammy-Winning Salsa Orchestra in an 1901 Opera House

    Grupo Niche Is Coming to the Historic Everett Theatre on May 31 — A Latin Grammy-Winning Salsa Orchestra in an 1901 Opera House

    Is Grupo Niche playing in Everett, WA in 2026?
    Yes. Grupo Niche — the Latin Grammy-winning Colombian salsa orchestra founded in Cali in 1978 — performs at the Historic Everett Theatre (2911 Colby Ave, Everett WA) on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are available through events.theatreconcertconsulting.com and secondary markets.

    Verdict: GO. Unique-to-market touring act. Right-size room for a brass-forward Latin orchestra. The Historic Everett Theatre’s most ambitious Latin booking since reopening under new ownership. If you have any connection to salsa music, clear Sunday, May 31.

    The Setup

    A Sunday night in a 125-year-old opera house. A Colombian salsa orchestra with 47 years of catalog and a Latin Grammy on the shelf. Eight hundred seats on Colby Avenue.

    That is what May 31 looks like at the Historic Everett Theatre.

    Grupo Niche — not a tribute act, not a cover band, but the actual Cali orchestra founded in 1978 by Jairo Varela — is coming to Everett. If you have any connection to Latin music, to salsa, to the specific joy of hearing a full brass section tear through “Cali Pachanguero” in a room this intimate, this is the show. It is not a show you will find again at this scale in the Pacific Northwest any time soon.

    Who Grupo Niche Is

    Grupo Niche was born in Cali, Colombia in 1978. Jairo Varela and Alexis Lozano built the orchestra with the conviction that Colombian salsa deserved to stand beside — and ahead of — the New York and Puerto Rican traditions that dominated the genre at the time.

    Their 1984 album No Hay Quinto Malo contained a single called “Cali Pachanguero,” a tribute to the city’s carnival spirit. It became one of the defining songs of the salsa genre. It still plays at every Grupo Niche concert, and when it does, rooms of 800 people tend to become one organism.

    The catalog extends well beyond that song. “Cali Ají,” “Sin Sentimiento,” “Una Aventura,” “Buenaventura y Caney,” “Debiera Olvidarla” — these are songs that defined Latin dancefloors across the Americas, Spain, and wherever the Colombian diaspora settled. In 1986, Grupo Niche became the first Colombian orchestra to perform at Madison Square Garden, part of the World Salsa Festival. In 1989, they played to one million fans at Lima’s Campo de Marte park in Peru.

    Maestro Jairo Varela died on August 8, 2012. The group continued under the direction of longtime members, and in 2020 won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Salsa Album with 40, a fortieth-anniversary record. The group is still recording, still winning hardware, and still performing at the level that earned those credentials. Forty-seven years in, this is not a nostalgia act — it is a working orchestra with an active catalog and a live show that has filled venues across two continents this decade.

    None of that usually arrives at a venue that seats 800 people in Snohomish County. May 31 is the exception.

    Why the Room Is Right

    The Historic Everett Theatre opened in 1901 as the Everett Opera House. The building survived a 1923 fire, was rebuilt in 1924, and operated for decades as one of the Pacific Northwest’s working music venues. By 2025, Bellevue real estate investor Johnny Phan had purchased it for $1.5 million and put hundreds of thousands more into renovations before reopening in September 2025 — the latest chapter for a room that has hosted everything from vaudeville performers to grunge-era tribute acts.

    For salsa, the room size is an asset. Salsa at 800 seats means the brass section hits differently than it does at a 5,000-seat amphitheater. You can hear the rhythm section individually. The coro — the call-and-response vocal hook that defines salsa’s live energy — echoes in a room this size instead of evaporating into a sound system the size of a building.

    If you have seen Grupo Niche in a large theater or arena context, the Historic Everett Theatre is a different kind of show. If you have never seen them live, this room is an argument for starting here rather than waiting for a bigger venue.

    What to Expect at the Show

    A typical Grupo Niche concert runs 90 minutes to two hours. The set draws from a catalog spanning four decades, and the group sequences it to build toward the signature moments. Recent setlists have included “Un Alto en el Camino,” “Buenaventura y Caney,” “Sin Sentimiento,” and “Cali Ají” alongside material from the 2020 Latin Grammy-winning 40 album. “Cali Pachanguero” is always in the set, and it always closes a chapter of the show at high volume.

    The touring lineup includes featured vocalists, a full horn section, piano, bass, percussion, and a coro that fills whatever space it occupies. There will be dancing. If you know how to salsa, you will find floor space near the stage. If you do not, watching the people who do from 20 feet away is its own kind of entertainment.

    Dress for dancing if you plan on it. The venue does not have a dress code, but you will not be the first person there in something worth moving in.

    The Full Last Weekend of May

    If you are building a cultural calendar around this show, the timing works unusually well. Three days of the same weekend offer three different reasons to be downtown.

    On Friday, May 29, Canned Heat and Big Brother and the Holding Company play the same stage — two bands that performed at the original Woodstock on one Historic Everett Theatre bill. The request is that you wear something that looks like it came out of 1969. This is a co-headliner at $65 general admission, and it is one of the stronger live-music bookings in Everett in years.

    On Saturday, May 30, the Schack Art Center’s Artists’ Garage Sale runs 9 AM to 3 PM on Hoyt Avenue — 140+ artists, work priced for actual purchase, free to browse. That same Saturday evening, EMO Prom lands at Tony V’s Garage on Hewitt — a tribute night for the era’s music, with the room dressed accordingly.

    Grupo Niche closes the weekend on Sunday. Three consecutive days, three completely different rooms, three different reasons to stay in Everett instead of driving to Seattle.

    Show Details

    • Artist: Grupo Niche
    • Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026
    • Show time: 7:00 PM
    • Venue: Historic Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave, Everett WA 98201
    • Capacity: ~800
    • Tickets: events.theatreconcertconsulting.com (official); also available on SeatGeek, Vivid Seats, and Bandsintown
    • Parking: Street parking on Colby Ave; Everpark Garage (2919 Oakes Ave) nearby

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What time does Grupo Niche play at the Historic Everett Theatre?

    The show starts at 7:00 PM on Sunday, May 31, 2026. The Historic Everett Theatre is located at 2911 Colby Ave, Everett WA 98201. Arrive by 6:30 PM to find parking and get settled before the show.

    Where can I buy Grupo Niche tickets for the Everett show?

    Tickets are available through the Historic Everett Theatre’s official ticketing platform at events.theatreconcertconsulting.com, and through secondary markets including SeatGeek, Vivid Seats, and Bandsintown.

    What songs does Grupo Niche play in concert?

    Grupo Niche setlists draw from 47 years of catalog. Expect “Cali Pachanguero,” “Cali Ají,” “Sin Sentimiento,” “Buenaventura y Caney,” “Un Alto en el Camino,” and material from the 2020 Latin Grammy-winning album 40. “Cali Pachanguero” is performed at every concert without exception.

    How big is the Historic Everett Theatre?

    The Historic Everett Theatre holds approximately 800 people. It opened in 1901 as the Everett Opera House, survived a 1923 fire, and was renovated and reopened under new ownership in September 2025. For salsa, the room size is an advantage — you can hear the full orchestra clearly from anywhere in the hall.

    Who is Grupo Niche?

    Grupo Niche is a Colombian salsa orchestra founded in 1978 in Cali, Colombia by Jairo Varela and Alexis Lozano. They won the Latin Grammy for Best Salsa Album in 2020. They were the first Colombian orchestra to perform at Madison Square Garden (1986) and played before one million fans in Lima, Peru in 1989. Critics and audiences across Latin America consistently cite them as the continent’s most successful salsa orchestra of the past forty years.

    Is the Grupo Niche Everett show all ages?

    Age policy details should be confirmed at point of ticket purchase through the official ticketing page. Most Historic Everett Theatre shows are all ages unless otherwise noted. Check events.theatreconcertconsulting.com for the current listing.

  • AquaSox Are Rolling: 2-0 on the Hillsboro Homestand With Four Games Left at Funko Field This Weekend

    AquaSox Are Rolling: 2-0 on the Hillsboro Homestand With Four Games Left at Funko Field This Weekend

    Q: What AquaSox games are left in the Hillsboro Hops homestand?
    Four games remain at Funko Field: Thursday May 7 (7:05 PM), Friday May 8 (7:05 PM), Saturday May 9 (7:05 PM), and Sunday May 10 (1:05 PM). The AquaSox lead the series 2-0 after wins of 8-6 Tuesday and 10-0 Wednesday.

    The Everett AquaSox have been doing something this week that Funko Field fans are going to want to show up and watch. Through two games of the six-game home series against the Hillsboro Hops, the Frogs are 2-0, have outscored their guests 18-6, and have shown off the full toolkit: a stolen base game Tuesday, a shutout by a future major league starter Wednesday, two home runs in two nights from different guys, and Felnin Celesten going absolutely nuclear from the left side of the plate.

    Four games remain. Hillsboro is 11-18. The AquaSox are chasing first place in the NWL first half. This is the moment.

    The Remaining Schedule

    Thursday, May 7 — 7:05 PM PT at Funko Field
    Friday, May 8 — 7:05 PM PT at Funko Field
    Saturday, May 9 — 7:05 PM PT at Funko Field
    Sunday, May 10 — 1:05 PM PT at Funko Field (series finale)

    Tickets at aquasox.com. Funko Field is at 3802 Broadway in Everett.

    Three Reasons the Next Four Games Matter

    1. The First-Half Race Is Still On
    The AquaSox are now 17-14 in the NWL first half, in third place behind the Eugene Emeralds (22-6). That’s a 7.5-game gap with meaningful games still on the board. Sweeping Hillsboro — or going 4-0 — won’t close that gap entirely, but it closes it. Four wins against a team this far below .500 is exactly the kind of run that creates momentum. The Frogs play like this for four more games and suddenly the second half of May has a different feel.

    2. Felnin Celesten Is Must-Watch Baseball Right Now
    The back-to-back NWL Player of the Week went 3-for-5 again Wednesday to go along with 2 RBI. He is now hitting .295 on the season with 26 hits and 18 runs scored — both team leads. He is the best hitter in the Northwest League right now, and he plays every night at a park 10 minutes from downtown Everett. Come watch him.

    3. The Power Surge Is Real
    Luke Stevenson hit a two-run homer Wednesday. Carter Dorighi hit a three-run homer. Brandon Eike has six on the season. Curtis Washington Jr. launched one Tuesday. The AquaSox lineup has found its power, and a Hillsboro pitching staff that has given up runs all season is not going to stop it. Expect balls to leave Funko Field this weekend.

    Friday Night: A Uniquely Everett Problem

    Friday, May 8 presents a genuinely impossible decision for Everett sports fans. The AquaSox play at Funko Field at 7:05 PM. The Silvertips host the Prince Albert Raiders in WHL Championship Final Game 1 at Angel of the Winds Arena at 7:00 PM. These venues are two miles apart. Both events are meaningful. Both are worth attending.

    There is no right answer. Pick the one that speaks to you most. Or get to Angel of the Winds early, catch the first period of the Silvertips game, then slip over to Funko Field for the later innings. Everett has never had this problem before. Enjoy it.

    Who to Watch This Weekend

    Beyond Celesten, keep an eye on Luke Stevenson — the Mariners’ No. 8 prospect just had his best offensive night of 2026. Watch how pitchers approach him now that he has shown the ability to take a two-run shot to right-center. Also: Brock Moore out of the bullpen. The NWL Bullpen Award winner has been automatic in high-leverage spots, and the Frogs will need him to keep delivering if the rotation is working through shorter outings in the back half of this series.

    The homestand wraps Sunday at 1:05 PM. If you go to one game this weekend, go Sunday — matinee baseball at a community ballpark on a spring afternoon, with a team that is genuinely good right now. That’s as Everett as it gets.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the AquaSox home schedule for the Hillsboro series?

    Thursday May 7 at 7:05 PM, Friday May 8 at 7:05 PM, Saturday May 9 at 7:05 PM, and Sunday May 10 at 1:05 PM — all at Funko Field in Everett.

    What is the AquaSox record in the 2026 Northwest League first half?

    After Wednesday’s 10-0 win, the AquaSox are 17-14, in third place in the NWL first half, 7.5 games behind the first-place Eugene Emeralds (22-6).

    Who is the hottest hitter on the AquaSox right now?

    Felnin Celesten. The back-to-back NWL Player of the Week is batting .295 with 26 hits and 18 runs scored on the season, and went 3-for-5 with 2 RBI on Wednesday.

    Is there a conflict between the AquaSox and Silvertips on Friday May 8?

    Yes. AquaSox play at Funko Field at 7:05 PM; Silvertips host WHL Championship Final Game 1 at Angel of the Winds Arena at 7:00 PM. Both venues are about two miles apart in Everett. Tickets for both are available through their respective box offices.

  • How to Watch the Silvertips WHL Championship Final: TSN, Victory+, Game Times, and Tickets

    How to Watch the Silvertips WHL Championship Final: TSN, Victory+, Game Times, and Tickets

    Q: How can I watch the Everett Silvertips in the 2026 WHL Championship Final?
    Games 1 and 2 at Angel of the Winds Arena (May 8 at 7:00 PM PDT and May 9 at 6:00 PM PDT) are available in person via Ticketmaster. All games are broadcast live on TSN in Canada and streamed globally for free on Victory+. Games 3 and 4 in Prince Albert (May 12–13) are streaming-only for most Everett fans.

    The Everett Silvertips are in the WHL Championship Final for the first time since 2018 — and this time, the broadcast setup means every fan in the world can watch for free. Here is your complete guide to catching Games 1 and 2 at home or in the arena this Friday and Saturday, and tuning in for the road games in Prince Albert when the series shifts east.

    The Full Schedule

    Game 1: Friday, May 8 — 7:00 PM PDT — Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett
    Game 2: Saturday, May 9 — 6:00 PM PDT — Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett
    Game 3: Tuesday, May 12 — Art Hauser Centre, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
    Game 4: Wednesday, May 13 — Art Hauser Centre, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
    Game 5 (if needed): Friday, May 16 — Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett
    Game 6 (if needed): Sunday, May 18 — Art Hauser Centre, Prince Albert
    Game 7 (if needed): Tuesday, May 20 — Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett

    How to Watch on TV (Canada)

    TSN carries the full 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien in Canada, alongside RDS for French-language coverage. Every game in the series will be telecast live. If you’re a Canadian fan or know someone in Canada, the TSN stream via TSN Direct is the cleanest broadcast option with the full pre-game and intermission coverage.

    How to Stream for Free (Victory+)

    This is the big news for Everett fans who won’t be at Angel of the Winds Arena in person: Victory+ is streaming every game of the 2026 WHL Championship Series globally, for free. No subscription required. No paywall. Every game — including the road games in Prince Albert — is available anywhere in the world on the Victory+ platform.

    Victory+ is the CHL’s official streaming partner. You can find the stream at victoryplusapp.com or through the Victory+ app on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire. Just search “WHL Championship” once Game 1 goes live at 7:00 PM PDT Friday.

    The Broadcast Team

    The telecast features Peter Loubardias handling play-by-play duties, joined by longtime WHL analyst Kelly Remple providing color commentary, and Cami Kepke — an award-winning sports reporter — working the rinkside. It’s a polished broadcast team for a championship-caliber series.

    Tickets for Games 1 and 2 at Angel of the Winds

    Games 1 and 2 are at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster and through the Silvertips box office at silvertips.com. This is the first WHL Championship Final in Everett since 2018, and the arena will be loud. If you’ve been waiting for the right playoff game to attend in person, this is it.

    A note for Friday night: the Everett AquaSox are also playing at Funko Field at 7:05 PM against the Hillsboro Hops. Everett has two simultaneous playoff and championship-level events happening Friday night — two different venues, two different sports, both with something real on the line. Plan your night accordingly.

    What the Silvertips Bring Into This Series

    The Silvertips enter the Final with a 12-1 playoff record, having swept the Kelowna Rockets in Round 2 and the Penticton Vees in the Western Conference Final. Goaltender Anders Miller has posted a .948 save percentage — the best mark in WHL playoff history for goaltenders with nine or more games played. Landon DuPont and Carter Bear have each scored 10 or more playoff goals. The Silvertips allowed just 12 goals in their 12 wins. They are not built to lose.

    The Prince Albert Raiders won the Eastern Conference Final to earn their spot. This is the first time these two franchises have met in the WHL Championship Final. Everett is seeking its first Ed Chynoweth Cup and its first Memorial Cup berth in franchise history.

    Friday at 7:00 PM. Victory+. Free. No excuses not to watch.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where can I watch the Silvertips WHL Championship Final online for free?

    All games are available free globally on Victory+ (victoryplusapp.com and the Victory+ app). No subscription required.

    What time is Silvertips WHL Final Game 1?

    Game 1 is Friday, May 8 at 7:00 PM PDT at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington.

    What time is Silvertips WHL Final Game 2?

    Game 2 is Saturday, May 9 at 6:00 PM PDT at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington.

    Where are Games 3 and 4 of the WHL Championship Final?

    Games 3 and 4 are Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13 at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Both will be streamed free on Victory+.

    Where can I buy tickets for the Silvertips WHL Final?

    Tickets for Games 1 and 2 at Angel of the Winds Arena are available at Ticketmaster and through silvertips.com.

  • Bryce Miller Goes Five Scoreless as AquaSox Demolish Hillsboro 10-0 on Silver Sluggers Night

    Bryce Miller Goes Five Scoreless as AquaSox Demolish Hillsboro 10-0 on Silver Sluggers Night

    Q: Did Bryce Miller pitch for the AquaSox on May 6, 2026?
    Yes. Miller threw five shutout innings in a 10-0 win over the Hillsboro Hops at Funko Field on Silver Sluggers Night, allowing just two hits. Luke Stevenson led the offense with four RBI and a two-run homer; Carter Dorighi added a three-run blast; Felnin Celesten went 3-for-5.

    The Funko Field faithful showed up for Silver Sluggers Night on Wednesday and got exactly the kind of baseball that makes you leave smiling: a 10-0 demolition of the Hillsboro Hops, with Seattle Mariners ace Bryce Miller dialing in across five innings and the AquaSox offense hitting everything hard and often.

    Miller, working his way back from the oblique strain that kept him off Seattle’s Opening Day roster, went five full innings, allowed just two hits, walked three, and struck out two. More importantly: the Hops didn’t score once while he was on the mound. For a pitcher returning from injury, zero runs in five innings tells the story cleanly. Miller has now thrown eight combined scoreless innings across two AquaSox appearances — five tonight and three on April 24 against Spokane — and his return to Seattle feels imminent.

    Stevenson Does It Again

    Luke Stevenson went 2-for-4 with four RBI and his second homer of 2026 — a two-run shot to right-center that extended the lead in the middle innings. Earlier, Stevenson drove in two more with a sharp double to center, his eighth two-bagger of the season. Four RBI on two hits is the kind of efficient night that makes scouts take notice. The Mariners’ No. 8 prospect is making a case for promotion every time he steps up.

    Dorighi’s Three-Run Blast, Celesten Stays Hot

    Carter Dorighi contributed a three-run homer to right-center — his second of 2026 — plating Austin St. Laurent and Anthony Donofrio ahead of him. Hillsboro starter Brian Curley lasted just 3.1 innings, surrendering all 10 of Everett’s earned runs on 10 hits. When your starter gets tagged for 10 hits and 10 ER before the fifth inning, it’s that kind of night.

    And Felnin Celesten just keeps hitting. The NWL’s back-to-back Player of the Week went 3-for-5 on the night with two RBI, continuing one of the hottest stretches in any High-A lineup right now. Celesten is batting .295 on the season with 26 hits and 18 runs scored. Brandon Eike chipped in a run-scoring single as well, his RBI total rising steadily alongside his team-leading six home runs.

    The Bullpen Was Spotless

    After Miller’s five innings, the Everett bullpen delivered three more hitless frames. Reid Easterly went two innings, allowing one hit while striking out four. Christian Little added a scoreless seventh, and Brock Moore — the NWL’s reigning Bullpen Award winner — closed the ninth with two strikeouts on a clean frame. The Hops were held scoreless for all nine innings. That’s a complete team performance.

    2-0 in the Series, Four Games to Go

    The AquaSox are now 17-14 and 2-0 against the Hops in this six-game homestand — winning 8-6 Tuesday behind Curtis Washington Jr.’s homer, and 10-0 Wednesday with Miller’s gem. At 7.5 games back of the first-half leading Eugene Emeralds (22-6) in the Northwest League, this homestand against a struggling Hillsboro squad (11-18) is exactly the kind of opportunity the Frogs need. Four games remain — Thursday through Sunday — with first pitch at 7:05 PM Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and a matinee Sunday. If you haven’t gotten to Funko Field yet this week, Thursday is your shot before the WHL Championship Final adds a second championship event to the Everett calendar starting Friday night at Angel of the Winds Arena.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What was the final score of the AquaSox vs. Hillsboro Hops game on May 6, 2026?

    Everett AquaSox 10, Hillsboro Hops 0 at Funko Field on Silver Sluggers Night, Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

    How did Bryce Miller pitch in his May 6 rehab start?

    Miller threw five innings, allowing two hits and zero earned runs, walking three and striking out two. He has now thrown eight combined scoreless innings across two AquaSox rehab appearances (3 IP on April 24, 5 IP on May 6).

    Who led the AquaSox offense on May 6?

    Luke Stevenson led with four RBI including a two-run homer. Carter Dorighi hit a three-run homer. Felnin Celesten went 3-for-5 with two RBI.

    When is the next AquaSox home game?

    Thursday, May 7 at 7:05 PM at Funko Field vs. the Hillsboro Hops. Tickets at aquasox.com.

    What is the AquaSox’s Northwest League first-half record?

    After tonight’s win, the AquaSox are 17-14 in the first half, third in the NWL, 7.5 games behind the first-place Eugene Emeralds (22-6).

  • Everett City Council Votes Tonight on Permanent Protections for Seven Manufactured Home Communities

    Everett City Council Votes Tonight on Permanent Protections for Seven Manufactured Home Communities

    Tonight at 6:30 p.m., Everett City Council will hold a public hearing and take the third and final vote on CB 2604-23 — an ordinance that would permanently establish a new land-use zone to protect seven manufactured home communities from redevelopment pressure.

    If the council approves CB 2604-23 tonight, Everett will have a dedicated Neighborhood Residential – Manufactured Home Community (NR-MHC) zone — a zoning designation that requires parcels occupied by manufactured home parks to remain as such. That means the owners of the seven named parks could not convert them to other uses — apartments, retail, storage, office — without a future act of the city council.

    For the thousands of Everett residents who live in those seven communities, the vote represents the end of a multi-year legislative process and the formal close of a window that has left some residents uncertain about the long-term stability of their homes.

    What Tonight’s Agenda Shows

    The May 6, 2026 City Council agenda lists CB 2604-23 as both a public hearing and an action item — meaning the council will take public testimony and then vote on the ordinance in the same meeting. This is the third and final reading, the last step in Everett’s ordinance adoption process before a bill goes to the mayor for signature.

    The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers at 3002 Wetmore Ave, Everett. It is also a hybrid meeting, with remote participation available via Zoom.

    The Seven Parks Named in the Ordinance

    CB 2604-23 specifically names the following manufactured home communities as subject to the new NR-MHC zone:

    1. Creekside
    2. Fairway Estates
    3. Lago De Plata Villa
    4. Loganberry
    5. Mobile Country Club
    6. Silver Shores Senior
    7. Westridge

    Each of these parks would have its parcels rezoned to NR-MHC, making manufactured home community use the only permitted primary use on those sites.

    Why a Dedicated Zone Matters

    Manufactured housing is one of the most affordable forms of homeownership available in Snohomish County. Unlike apartment renters, many residents in manufactured home communities own their homes outright — but they rent the land beneath them from the park owner. That structure creates a vulnerability: if a park owner sells the land for redevelopment, residents may be required to move their homes or leave.

    Everett’s Comprehensive Plan identifies manufactured home preservation as a housing policy goal — specifically HO-10 (preserve manufactured housing as a naturally affordable housing type) and HO-19 (protect existing manufactured home communities from displacement). CB 2604-23 is the implementing ordinance that gives those goals legal teeth in the city’s zoning code.

    What the Ordinance Actually Changes

    CB 2604-23 does several things at once. It creates the NR-MHC zone as a distinct designation in the Everett Municipal Code and amends the Zoning Map to apply that designation to the seven named parks. It amends Chapters 15.02, 19.03, 19.04, 19.05, and 19.13 of the EMC to integrate the new zone into Everett’s planning framework. It repeals Title 17 EMC — which contained the prior manufactured housing regulations — and amends Ordinances 3774-20, 3534-17, and 4102-25 for consistency.

    The net effect: manufactured home community use becomes the zoning baseline for these parcels. A park owner who wanted to redevelop the land for another purpose would need to seek a rezone — a public process that would go back before the Planning Commission and City Council.

    The Legislative Timeline

    The ordinance has traveled a long road to reach tonight’s final reading. The NR-MHC zone proposal moved through the Planning Commission with a first review, then multiple public comment periods. Tonight’s public hearing is the formal hearing tied to the third reading of the ordinance — the last opportunity for public testimony before the council acts. Earlier in the process, the city held a public hearing at Walter E. Hall Park.

    For a detailed look at what the zone means for individual park residents, see the earlier resident guide: What Everett’s NR-MHC Zone Means If You Live at Creekside, Fairway Estates, or Any of the Seven Mobile Home Parks. And for a broader overview of the ordinance: Everett’s Proposed NR-MHC Zone: A Complete 2026 Guide.

    Related Everett Housing Policy Context

    CB 2604-23 moves alongside a broader set of Everett and county housing policies. Snohomish County awarded $23 million to six housing projects in an April 24 vote — including three Everett projects — through a separate funding pipeline. Read: How $23 Million in Housing Money Moved Without a Tax Vote.

    The city also recently updated its Critical Areas Regulations, affecting development near wetlands, streams, and landslide-prone areas citywide. Read: Everett’s Wetland and Stream Rules Are About to Change.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can park owners still sell the land after this ordinance passes?

    Yes. Ownership of the land is not restricted. What changes is the permitted use. A buyer who purchased a park-zoned parcel would still be required to operate it as a manufactured home community or go through a rezone process that would require city council approval.

    Does this freeze lot rent in the parks?

    No. The NR-MHC zone addresses land use, not rent rates. Residents would still negotiate lot rent with park owners under applicable Washington State law.

    What is Title 17 EMC and why is it being repealed?

    Title 17 EMC contains Everett’s existing manufactured housing regulations. CB 2604-23 replaces those rules with the more specific NR-MHC zone structure, consolidating manufactured home community policy into the main zoning code for consistency and clarity.

    When would the ordinance take effect if it passes tonight?

    After the council votes, the ordinance goes to Mayor Cassie Franklin for signature. Under Everett’s standard process, ordinances typically take effect 30 days after adoption unless they include an emergency clause.

    Does this apply to all manufactured home parks in Everett?

    No. The seven parks named in CB 2604-23 are the specific sites being rezoned. Other manufactured home parks in Everett not named in the ordinance are not directly affected by tonight’s vote.

    What To Do Next

    Tonight’s public hearing: Attend in person at City Council Chambers, 3002 Wetmore Ave, starting at 6:30 p.m. Remote participation via Zoom is available — register at everettwa.gov/speakerform no later than 30 minutes before the meeting.

    Written comment: Email Council@everettwa.gov. Comments submitted at least 24 hours in advance will be distributed to all council members. You can also mail written comments to 2930 Wetmore Avenue, Suite 9A, Everett, WA 98201.

    Read the ordinance: The full text of CB 2604-23 is available at everettwa.gov/2777/Proposed-Code-Amendments.

    Watch the meeting: Live stream and recordings are posted at YouTube.com/EverettCity.

  • HII’s Q1 Report Is the First Investor Confirmation FF(X) Is on Track — What It Means for Naval Station Everett’s Homeport Timeline

    HII’s Q1 Report Is the First Investor Confirmation FF(X) Is on Track — What It Means for Naval Station Everett’s Homeport Timeline

    What is the current status of the FF(X) frigate program?
    The Navy’s FF(X) frigate program is on track. HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding was awarded a $282.9M lead yard contract on April 28, 2026. The FY2027 presidential budget request includes funding for the first hull. In HII’s Q1 2026 earnings call on May 5, company executives called FF(X) a “meaningful upside opportunity” to their medium-term outlook. Homeport has not yet been assigned. Naval Station Everett remains among the leading candidates.

    What the Q1 Report Actually Shows

    Huntington Ingalls Industries reported first-quarter 2026 revenue of $3.1 billion, up 13.4 percent year over year. Ingalls Shipbuilding — the Pascagoula, Mississippi division that will build the FF(X) — recorded $725 million in quarterly revenue, an increase of $88 million, or 13.8 percent, from the same period in 2025. The company attributed that increase “primarily to higher volumes in surface combatants.”

    To be precise about the timeline: Q1 2026 ended on March 31, and the FF(X) lead yard contract was not awarded until April 28. That means the Q1 surface combatant revenue growth reflects Ingalls’ existing work — primarily Arleigh Burke-class destroyer production — not FF(X) activity yet. What the Q1 numbers demonstrate instead is that Ingalls is a shipyard operating at full tempo, generating strong revenue from exactly the class of ships the FF(X) is designed to complement. That matters because the FF(X) program requires a yard that can ramp quickly, and Ingalls is doing that now.

    What the Earnings Call Said About FF(X)

    HII’s management team made two substantive references to the frigate program during the May 5 call. The first concerned the FY2027 budget request. The Trump administration submitted a top-level fiscal year 2027 budget to Congress in early April. HII confirmed that the proposal includes funding for the first FF(X) frigate — a discrete line item in the Navy’s $65.8 billion shipbuilding request. Also in that budget: one Columbia-class submarine, two Virginia-class submarines, one Arleigh Burke destroyer, one LPD-17 amphibious transport dock, and one LHA-6 amphibious assault ship. The FF(X) is on that list as a fully budgeted program, not a placeholder.

    The second was language about HII’s medium-term financial outlook. Executives described the new battleship and frigate programs as “meaningful upside opportunities” to their forward projections. In investor communications, that phrasing is deliberate. It signals that FF(X) is expected to grow Ingalls’ revenue materially — and that the company building the ships is committed to the program in a way that matters to shareholders.

    HII also reported total backlog of $54.0 billion, “supported by major aircraft carrier, submarine, and surface combatant programs.” The $282.9 million FF(X) lead yard contract awarded on April 28, 2026 is now part of that backlog.

    The Procurement Plan in Full

    The FF(X) program structure was confirmed when the Navy awarded the Ingalls contract last month. The initial $282.9 million contract funds pre-construction activities — long-lead material procurement, design refinement, and detailed engineering. The first $80.6 million tranche allows work to begin immediately. Ingalls is the designated lead yard for the first two ships under a sole-source arrangement.

    The FY2027 budget request funds the first FF(X) hull at $1.429 billion against a full ship cost of $1.671 billion. A Critical Design Review is scheduled for 2026, after which the design is frozen and steel cutting begins. The Navy targets launch of the first ship by late 2028 and delivery by mid-2030. From the third ship onward, the program transitions to competitive procurement. The total objective is 22 ships. One hull is planned in FY2027, one in FY2029, two in FY2031, with rates increasing in subsequent flights. The economic impact of a 22-ship program for Snohomish County has been estimated at roughly $340 million annually if Everett wins the homeport.

    What Is Still Open for Everett

    The one question HII’s earnings call did not answer — because it is not HII’s decision — is homeport. Naval Station Everett has made the economic and strategic case for hosting the FF(X) fleet. Snohomish County’s Military Affairs Committee has maintained contact with the Washington congressional delegation, including Representative Rick Larsen on the House Armed Services Committee. The argument centers on Everett’s existing surface combatant infrastructure, the city’s Navy-rooted identity, and the multiplier effect of basing a twelve-ship fleet at an already-operational installation.

    The homeport decision follows a formal process: the Navy evaluates installations against requirements including pier capacity, maintenance support, housing inventory, and operational access, then submits a preferred homeport to Congress for review. That process typically runs after the lead ship’s design is finalized — meaning the homeport decision is not imminent, but the clock is running. Meanwhile, NAVSTA Everett’s destroyers, including USS Gridley, continue active fleet operations that demonstrate the base’s operational readiness.

    What Comes Next

    Three near-term milestones are worth tracking for Everett residents and military families:

    Congressional appropriations action. The FY2027 presidential budget request includes funding for the first FF(X) hull. That request must pass through the House and Senate Armed Services Committees and the Appropriations Committees before it becomes law. Representative Larsen’s seat on the House Armed Services Committee keeps Snohomish County directly represented in that process.

    The Critical Design Review. Scheduled for 2026, the CDR is when Ingalls and the Navy formally lock the final design. Confirmation that the CDR has occurred will be the next major program milestone after the initial contract award.

    Homeport announcement timing. Industry analysts tracking the program expect a homeport decision no earlier than 2027, after the FY2027 appropriation is finalized and the design is mature enough for the Navy to make precise infrastructure requirements. Everett’s case improves with each funding confirmation.

    For now, the FF(X) program has cleared the two gating tests that most new defense programs fail early: it has received its first contract award, and the company building it has publicly confirmed to investors that it represents meaningful future revenue. The engineering and the money are aligned. Everett’s task is to make sure the homeport decision follows.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When will the first FF(X) frigate be delivered to the Navy?

    The current schedule targets launch of the first ship by late 2028 and delivery to the fleet by mid-2030, based on the lead yard contract terms and HII’s May 5 earnings disclosures.

    Why is Ingalls Shipbuilding building the FF(X)?

    HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi is the designated lead yard for the first two FF(X) hulls under a sole-source arrangement. The program transitions to competitive procurement starting at the third ship.

    How much will the first FF(X) frigate cost?

    The FY2027 presidential budget request funds the first hull at $1.429 billion. The Navy’s full ship cost estimate is $1.671 billion.

    Is the FF(X) the same as the Constellation-class frigate?

    No. The Constellation-class program was cancelled by the Navy on November 25, 2025 due to cost overruns and delays at Fincantieri Marinette Marine. The FF(X) is a new, accelerated program based on the National Security Cutter (Legend-class) design and is being built at Ingalls in Pascagoula.

    How many FF(X) frigates will be built?

    The Navy’s current plan calls for 22 FF(X) frigates across multiple production flights. One ship is planned in FY2027, one in FY2029, and two in FY2031, with production rates increasing in subsequent years.

    What is HII’s total backlog as of Q1 2026?

    HII reported a total backlog of $54.0 billion as of Q1 2026, supported by aircraft carrier, submarine, and surface combatant programs. This now includes the $282.9 million FF(X) lead yard contract awarded on April 28, 2026.

    When will the FF(X) homeport be decided?

    The Navy has not announced a homeport for FF(X) ships. Industry analysts expect the decision no earlier than 2027, after FY2027 appropriations are finalized and the Critical Design Review is complete. Naval Station Everett is among the leading candidates.

    Why does Everett want the FF(X) homeport?

    NAVSTA Everett already operates five Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and has the pier, maintenance, and support infrastructure to host surface combatants. Snohomish County’s Military Affairs Committee has estimated a twelve-ship FF(X) homeport would generate roughly $340 million in annual economic activity for the region.

  • The Everett Brewery Trail Has Changed — Here Is Your Updated Summer 2026 Guide to All 6 Active Stops

    The Everett Brewery Trail Has Changed — Here Is Your Updated Summer 2026 Guide to All 6 Active Stops

    Earlier this year, At Large Brewing — one of Everett’s original modern craft brewery destinations — closed its waterfront taproom permanently on March 31, 2026. The trail changed. Here’s where it stands now heading into summer.

    The At Large closure matters because it removed one of the anchor stops in the Port Gardner waterfront cluster, and because At Large’s patio at 2730 W Marine View Drive was one of the genuinely good places in the city to drink local beer outside. That loss doesn’t go away just because new stops have opened. But the new stops are real, and the overall trail is still worth doing.

    Here’s the updated 2026 guide — six active taproom stops, two geographic clusters, and what’s worth watching next.

    The Active Stops

    1. Scuttlebutt Brewing — Two Locations, Two Different Experiences

    Everett’s longest-running craft brewery now operates two distinctly different taproom experiences, and the distinction matters when you’re planning a night out.

    The Craftsman Way pub (1205 Craftsman Way) is the original, the full-service experience: food, more seating, the flagship tap list, the familiar Scuttlebutt signage. It’s where you take people who haven’t been to Everett before and want to understand why the local beer scene has lasted. The Cedar Street production taproom (3310 Cedar St) is the stripped-down version attached to the brewing facility — better for exploring new releases, less about the full pub experience. Read our two-location breakdown here.

    2. Sound to Summit Brewing — Marina Taproom

    1710 W Marine View Drive. The family and dog-friendly patio at the marina is the closest thing to what At Large’s waterfront setup offered, and Sound to Summit earns its slot on the trail independently — their award-winning pilsners and stouts hold up on any tap list in the region. They brew out of Snohomish and pour at the marina, seven days a week. When the weather is good, this is the move. Full guide here.

    3. Obsidian Beer Hall — Downtown Hewitt

    1420 Hewitt Ave. Owner Craig Chambers opened this curated PNW beer hall in 2024 in the former Toggles space, and it’s become a genuine anchor on the Hewitt corridor. The tap list rotates and emphasizes Pacific Northwest craft — not exclusively Obsidian’s own production, but a curated selection that gives you a good cross-section of what’s being brewed in the region. Live music events run regularly through the Everett Music Initiative. This is technically a beer hall rather than a brewery-owned taproom, but it belongs on any beer walk through downtown Everett. Full profile here.

    4. Lazy Boy Brewing — South Everett Industrial

    715 100th St SE, Suite A1. This is the one people haven’t found yet, and finding it is part of the experience. Lazy Boy is tucked into a south Everett industrial park — no signage visible from the street unless you know where you’re going. Nine taps, Wednesday through Saturday 3–9 PM, Thursday trivia, Saturday live music, monthly line dancing. The scale is small by design, and the vibe is closer to a working brewery taproom than a hospitality space. We called it the spiritual successor to At Large’s ethos — a place where the beer is the point and the regulars actually show up. Full guide here.

    5. Middleton Brewing — Everett Mall Way

    607 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 27-A. Owner Geoff Middleton has been brewing since 2013. The 1.5-barrel nano-brewpub is one of Everett’s quieter finds — the specialty is fruit ales, which is genuinely unusual in a market that defaults hard to IPAs. The scale means the tap list changes constantly and you’ll encounter beers that exist nowhere else. Worth tracking specifically for seasonal fruit ale releases. Full profile here.

    6. U-Neek Brewing (formerly Crucible) — Everett Mall Area

    909 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite D440. New owners Erik Andresen and Johanna Watson took over Crucible Brewing and relaunched it as U-Neek, reopening under the new name in February 2025. Part of the Pacific Northwest Brewing Center complex. Hours: Monday–Saturday 12 PM–10 PM, Sunday 12 PM–8 PM. Family-friendly neighborhood taproom with trivia nights and rotating food trucks. Full profile here.

    How to Run the Trail

    The current trail splits naturally into two loops.

    North/Downtown loop: Obsidian Beer Hall (Hewitt Ave) → Scuttlebutt Craftsman Way → Sound to Summit Marina Taproom. This is the waterfront-and-downtown circuit, all within reasonable walking or short driving distance. The north loop is the best intro for first-timers and the right circuit when you’re combining brewery stops with dinner on the Hewitt corridor or the waterfront.

    South/Industrial loop: U-Neek → Middleton Brewing → Lazy Boy. These three are within a few miles of each other in south and east Everett. The south loop is the more adventurous circuit — less visible, more local, more interesting for people who’ve already done the downtown pass. Note that Lazy Boy’s hours (Wed–Sat, 3–9 PM) are the constraint to plan around.

    Doing both loops in a single day is possible but ambitious. A better approach: hit the north loop one evening, the south loop on a Saturday afternoon when Lazy Boy is open and you have time to find the industrial park.

    What Changed Since April 2026

    The April 2026 trail guide listed eight stops, including At Large and some additional options that have since closed or reduced hours. The practical trail today is six solid taprooms. The closure of At Large remains the biggest gap — specifically the loss of the waterfront patio, which Sound to Summit partially compensates for but doesn’t fully replace.

    On the positive side: Lazy Boy and Middleton have both settled into their operational rhythms in a way that makes them reliable additions to the list rather than question marks. U-Neek under new ownership has stabilized. The trail is smaller than it was two years ago, but the remaining stops are consistent.

    What We’re Watching

    The Port of Everett still has one remaining Restaurant Row space at Waterfront Place without a permanent tenant. A taproom or brewpub in that slot would complete the waterfront cluster in a way that At Large’s absence broke. We’re watching the Port’s tenant search process.

    In the meantime: six active stops is a solid summer brewery trail. Hit them in order or mix the loops. Either way you’re drinking well in Everett.

    The six active stops: Scuttlebutt Brewing (2 locations) • Sound to Summit Marina • Obsidian Beer Hall • Lazy Boy Brewing • Middleton Brewing • U-Neek Brewing

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How many breweries are in Everett WA in 2026?

    As of summer 2026, Everett has six active taproom stops on the brewery trail: Scuttlebutt Brewing (two locations), Sound to Summit Brewing at the marina, Obsidian Beer Hall on Hewitt, Lazy Boy Brewing in south Everett, Middleton Brewing on SE Everett Mall Way, and U-Neek Brewing. At Large Brewing closed permanently in March 2026.

    Did At Large Brewing in Everett close?

    Yes. At Large Brewing at 2730 W Marine View Drive closed permanently on March 31, 2026. It was one of Everett’s original modern craft brewery destinations.

    What is the best brewery in Everett WA?

    Scuttlebutt Brewing is Everett’s most established craft brewery with two locations. For the best outdoor drinking experience, Sound to Summit’s marina taproom is the current top choice. For the most adventurous and local experience, Lazy Boy Brewing in south Everett is the hidden gem worth finding.

    Where is Lazy Boy Brewing in Everett?

    Lazy Boy Brewing is at 715 100th St SE, Suite A1, Everett, WA — in a south Everett industrial park. Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 3 PM to 9 PM.

    Is U-Neek Brewing the same as Crucible Brewing Everett?

    Yes. U-Neek Brewing Company at 909 SE Everett Mall Way is the rebranded and relaunched version of Crucible Brewing, under new owners Erik Andresen and Johanna Watson since February 2025.