Tag: Everett WA

  • Millwright District Phase 2: Everett Waterfront Retail

    Millwright District Phase 2: Everett Waterfront Retail

    What is planned for retail in Millwright District Phase 2? The Port of Everett and Lincoln Property Company are targeting family-entertainment retail for Phase 2 of the Millwright District at Waterfront Place — including a movie theater, miniature golf, an arcade, bowling, plus smaller shops, gyms, and salons. Retail is anticipated to be completed by mid-2029, behind the up-to-120,000 sq. ft. of Class-A office space currently in pre-leasing.

    We’ve spent a lot of time on the office side of the Millwright District story — the up-to-120,000 square feet of Class-A space across three interconnected buildings, the 5,000 sq. ft. minimum suite, the pre-leasing campaign Lincoln Property Company has been running since 2025. It’s a real story and we’ll keep covering it. But the part we get asked about more often, by people who actually live in Everett, is the other part: what’s going to be on the ground floor?

    Now we have at least a directional answer. According to recent Port presentations and Phase 2 planning materials, the family-entertainment retail vision for Millwright is starting to come into focus — and it’s a meaningful departure from the Restaurant Row playbook the Port used at Fisherman’s Harbor. Phase 1 went all-in on dining. Phase 2 is leaning toward things you do, not just things you eat.

    What’s on the wishlist

    The Port has publicly described the Millwright Phase 2 retail mix as family-entertainment-style retail, with specific concepts named in planning conversations including:

    • A movie theater — the kind of anchor Everett has been thin on since the closure of older downtown screens. Whether that’s a multiplex format or a smaller boutique theater isn’t yet specified, but the floorplate at Millwright supports either.
    • Miniature golf — likely indoor or partially-indoor given the Everett rain calendar, leaning into the date-night and family-outing market.
    • Arcade and bowling — both commonly bundled in modern entertainment retail concepts (think Pinstripes or Bowlero in larger markets, or smaller independent operators in mid-size cities like ours).
    • Small shops, gyms, and salons — the day-to-day service retail layer that an apartment cluster of this size needs to function.

    That’s the menu. None of it is signed yet — the Port and Lincoln have not announced specific tenants for Phase 2 retail as of late April 2026 — but the program direction is set, and that direction tells you a lot about how the next five years on the waterfront are going to look.

    Why the entertainment-retail pivot makes sense

    Here’s the math the Port is working with. By the time Phase 2 opens, the immediate Waterfront Place neighborhood will have:

    • The 266 existing apartments at the Sawyer and Carling (currently 95% occupied)
    • The 300+ new units breaking ground in Millwright Phase 2
    • Two existing hotels
    • 1.6+ million annual visitors based on 2024 numbers
    • 14 existing food and beverage venues with five more opening in 2025-2026

    That’s a lot of people who already eat here. What they don’t have within walking distance is somewhere to go after dinner that isn’t another bar. The entertainment-retail pivot answers that gap directly. It also pulls in a market the Port hasn’t aggressively chased yet — families with kids old enough to want their own thing — and it gives apartment residents a reason to stay on the waterfront on a Saturday afternoon instead of driving to Lynnwood or Alderwood for a movie.

    The math also works for retail tenants. Ground-floor entertainment concepts need foot traffic and parking. Waterfront Place provides both: 1.6M annual visitors, free public parking through the lots and garages, and a captive resident population growing toward 600+ units within a five-minute walk. That’s a stronger pre-opening pitch than most ground-floor retail in suburban Snohomish County can offer.

    How the Port is staging the buildout

    The current sequencing on Millwright Phase 2 is roughly:

    • 2025-2026: Office pre-leasing campaign with Lincoln Property Company. Targeting up to 120,000 sq. ft. of Class-A space across up to three buildings.
    • 2026: 300+ apartment units breaking ground.
    • 2027-2028: Office and apartment delivery. Vertical construction across the Millwright site.
    • Mid-2029 target: Retail phase completion — including the family-entertainment tenants the Port is now pursuing.

    The retail trails the office and residential delivery on purpose. You don’t open a movie theater into an empty district. You open it once the residents are moved in, the office workers are filling the cafes at lunch, and the foot-traffic baseline is established. Mid-2029 lines up roughly with the Sawyer/Carling stabilizing fully and the new 300+ units hitting their first turnover cycle.

    Where this fits in Everett’s bigger entertainment-retail picture

    Everett doesn’t have a lot of entertainment retail right now. The closest comparable concepts are scattered: Round1 at Alderwood Mall, the AMC at Alderwood, a couple of bowling centers, the venues that anchor the Mill Creek and Lynnwood ends of the county. Within Everett city limits, the nearest movie theater operating today is the Stanwood Cinemas/Galaxy chain reach, plus the historic Everett Theatre downtown for a different kind of programming.

    What that means is Millwright’s family-entertainment vision doesn’t have to fight an existing concentration in the immediate area. It can fill a real gap. The downtown stadium project, if it moves forward, will pull additional event-night traffic to the same general district. The Eclipse Mill Park signature park project will add green-space programming in the same corridor. Combine those and you start to see the outlines of an actual entertainment district — waterfront restaurants, ballpark, family-entertainment retail, signature park — within a 15-minute walk of each other.

    That’s the bet. It’s a long bet — mid-2029 is three years out — but the supporting pieces are stacking up.

    What could change this

    Three things to watch:

    1. Office pre-leasing momentum. If Lincoln signs anchor office tenants ahead of schedule, the entire Millwright timeline pulls forward and retail gets in faster. If office pre-leasing stalls, the retail phase slides right.

    2. The downtown stadium decision. The April 29 City Council vote on the additional $10.6M design funding will tell us a lot about whether the stadium becomes the second anchor of the entertainment district or gets restructured. Either way, it shapes the foot-traffic math the retail tenants will run.

    3. Tenant economics. Modern entertainment retail concepts — especially anchor formats like movie theaters and full bowling centers — have been navigating real headwinds nationally. A signed deal with a national anchor would meaningfully de-risk the timeline. A series of smaller independent operators is also possible and would shape the district differently.

    The bottom line for Everett

    The Millwright Phase 2 retail vision is one of the more interesting development bets currently on the table for Everett. It’s not a guarantee — none of the named concepts are signed, and the timeline runs into 2029. But the Port is signaling clearly where they want this to go, and that signal matters because it’s directional information for everyone else: prospective office tenants, restaurant operators looking at the last Fisherman’s Harbor parcels, residential developers eyeing parcels north and south of Millwright, and small-business owners thinking about whether the waterfront is where they want their next location.

    Three years from now, if all of this lands, walking Waterfront Place on a Saturday night could mean dinner at Tapped Public House, a movie at the Millwright theater, a round of mini-golf, and a beer at Sound to Summit before heading home to a Sawyer apartment. That’s a different city than the one we have today.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What kind of retail is planned for Millwright District Phase 2?
    Family-entertainment-style retail, with specific concepts including a movie theater, miniature golf, an arcade, bowling, plus smaller shops, gyms, and salons.

    When will Millwright District Phase 2 retail open?
    The Port has indicated mid-2029 as the target for retail phase completion, behind the office and residential delivery scheduled for 2027-2028.

    Have any specific retail tenants been announced?
    Not as of late April 2026. The Port and Lincoln Property Company have described the retail vision and program direction publicly, but no signed tenants have been named for Phase 2 retail.

    How much office space is in Millwright Phase 2?
    Up to 120,000 square feet of Class-A office space across up to three interconnected buildings. Suites range from 5,000 sq. ft. up to the full 120,000 sq. ft. Pre-leasing is being run by Lincoln Property Company.

    How many apartments will Phase 2 add?
    300+ new residential units, which will join the existing 266 units at the Sawyer and Carling — bringing total Waterfront Place housing close to 600 units when Phase 2 stabilizes.

    How does this compare to Phase 1 at Fisherman’s Harbor?
    Phase 1 led with dining — Restaurant Row now hosts Fisherman Jack’s, South Fork Baking Company, Rustic Cork, The Net Shed, Tapped Public House, with Marina Azul and Menchie’s opening soon. Phase 2 is leaning toward entertainment retail rather than additional restaurants, on the theory that the dining base has been established and residents now need somewhere to go after dinner.

    Where is Millwright District located?
    Just north of Fisherman’s Harbor at the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place. It’s part of the same 65+ acre waterfront redevelopment, walking distance from Boxcar Park and the Central Marina esplanade.

  • Port of Everett Sculpture: The Story of the Bowen Bronze

    Port of Everett Sculpture: The Story of the Bowen Bronze

    What is the new bronze sculpture at the Port of Everett? A bronze figure of a young girl looking out over the marina, installed in late 2025 along the Central Marina esplanade between Pacific Rim Plaza and Boxcar Park. Sultan-based artist Kevin Pettelle created the piece, inspired by a 1940s photograph of Kathy Reinell Bowen — daughter of Reinell Boats founder Edward Reinell — taken by her father between what were then Pier 1 and Pier 2 of the Everett boat harbor.

    If you’ve walked the Central Marina esplanade at the Port of Everett anytime in the last few months, you’ve probably already met her. A small bronze figure in a plaid jacket and saddle shoes, looking past the slips toward what is now a working international Seaport. She doesn’t have a plaque calling her by name, but she has one — and the story behind her is one of the more quietly remarkable pieces of public art the Port has installed.

    We’ve been spending a lot of time on the waterfront chasing what’s coming next — the Sawyer and Carling at 95 percent occupancy, the steakhouse pitch for the last Restaurant Row parcel, Marina Azul almost open, the next phase of Millwright office space pre-leasing. It’s easy in that mode to walk right past the things that are already finished. The Bowen bronze is one of them. And it’s worth a stop.

    Who is the girl in the bronze?

    Her name is Kathy Reinell Bowen. The original photograph was taken in the 1940s by her father, Edward Reinell, founder of Reinell Boats — one of the boat-building names woven into Everett’s mid-century maritime history. In the photo she’s about four or five years old, standing at the edge of the small Everett boat harbor that sat between what was then Pier 1 and Pier 2. The pose is unposed in the way good family photos are: she’s just looking out at the water, the way a kid does when grownups are talking and the boats are more interesting.

    The photograph hung at the Everett Yacht Club for years. According to Historic Everett, a former classmate of Bowen’s spotted it on the wall, recognized her, and that’s how the Port and the artist were eventually able to put a name to the picture. That’s the kind of detail that makes this piece land differently than most public art commissions. It isn’t a generic bronze of a generic kid. It’s a real person, identified by the people who knew her, immortalized at a place her family helped build.

    The artist: Kevin Pettelle, Sultan, WA

    The sculpture was created by Kevin Pettelle, a bronze artist based in Sultan, Washington — about an hour east of Everett up the Skykomish Valley. Pettelle has done figurative bronze work across the Pacific Northwest for decades, and the Bowen piece is among the last bronze sculptures he says he plans to make in his career. That detail alone makes the installation feel less like another city beautification line item and more like a closing chapter from a working artist who chose to spend it on Everett.

    The bronze itself is full of details you only catch on a second look. The buttons on her coat are stamped with the Port’s Waterfront Place logo. The patina on her scarf fans out in a pattern designed to mimic light moving across water. She’s wearing the same plaid jacket and saddle shoes from the photograph, in the same pose. Pettelle didn’t redraw the girl — he reached back into the original frame and pulled her out three-dimensionally.

    Where to find her

    The sculpture sits along the Central Marina esplanade, in the stretch between Pacific Rim Plaza and Boxcar Park. If you’re parking at Waterfront Place and walking south toward Boxcar, you’ll pass her on the water side of the path. The vista was deliberately chosen — she’s looking out across the marina toward the slips, not at the buildings behind her. The whole installation is essentially asking you to share her view for a minute.

    It’s an easy add to any waterfront walk. From the Bluewater Distilling end of Fisherman’s Harbor it’s about a five-minute stroll south along the esplanade. From Boxcar Park itself it’s even closer — head north along the water and you’ll be there in two or three minutes.

    How the piece fits the Port’s bigger public art push

    The Bowen bronze isn’t standing alone out there. The Port has been quietly building a public art collection along Waterfront Place for several years now — most visibly the illuminated orca installation that anchors the southern end of Boxcar Park, plus several smaller historical interpretation pieces and signage installations through Pacific Rim Plaza. The Port’s stated goal is to layer in art that connects the working maritime past to the redeveloped present without feeling like a museum tour.

    That layering matters for a place like Waterfront Place. This is a redevelopment of a working harbor — the Port still moves around 16 million tons of cargo a year, the marina is the largest public marina on the West Coast with 2,300 slips, and 1.6 million people visited the waterfront in 2024 alone. There’s real potential for the new restaurants, hotels, and apartments to flatten that history into background. The Bowen piece is a small but pointed counter to that — a reminder that the Reinell name and the boat-building families and the kids who grew up on these docks are part of why this place is worth redeveloping in the first place.

    Why this matters more than a typical public art install

    Most public art at master-planned developments is decorative. A nice piece, well-lit, photographed for the marketing site, mostly invisible to the people who live there after the first month. The Bowen bronze is doing something different. It’s connecting a specific local family — Reinell Boats, the photograph, the yacht club, the classmate who recognized her — to a specific physical spot on the redeveloped waterfront. That’s harder to walk past.

    It also pairs really well with the Port’s broader case for the waterfront, which is essentially: this place was always something to people. The redevelopment isn’t building a destination from scratch. It’s building a destination on top of a working harbor that already had stories, families, and kids who looked out at boats. The bronze makes that argument quietly and without a press release.

    What we’d like to see next

    One thing that’s still missing: signage. Right now there’s no plaque at the sculpture explaining who Bowen is, who Pettelle is, or what the original photograph was. People stop, look, take a picture, and walk on without the story. Adding a small interpretive sign — even just a QR code linking to the Port’s public art page — would multiply the value of the piece without changing it. The Port has done this well at other Waterfront Place installations and at Boxcar Park; this one deserves the same treatment.

    Beyond that, the Bowen bronze sets a real bar for what additional public art on the waterfront should look like. As Phase 2 of Waterfront Place opens up new public spaces around Eclipse Mill Park and the Millwright District, the Port has a chance to keep going in this direction — local families, real people, specific photographs, named artists. Not generic.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where is the new Port of Everett bronze sculpture located?
    Along the Central Marina esplanade at Waterfront Place, between Pacific Rim Plaza and Boxcar Park. It’s on the water side of the walking path.

    Who is the girl depicted in the bronze?
    Kathy Reinell Bowen, daughter of Edward Reinell, founder of Reinell Boats. The original photograph was taken by her father in the 1940s when she was approximately 4-5 years old.

    Who created the sculpture?
    Sultan, WA-based bronze artist Kevin Pettelle. The Port of Everett commissioned the piece, and Pettelle has indicated it’s among the last bronze sculptures he plans to make in his career.

    When was the sculpture installed?
    Late 2025, with a public unveiling held in February 2026.

    Are there other public art pieces at the Port of Everett?
    Yes. The Port has been building a public art collection along Waterfront Place for several years, including the illuminated orca installation at Boxcar Park, historical interpretation pieces at Pacific Rim Plaza, and signage installations throughout the development.

    Is there a fee to see it?
    No. The esplanade is a public walkway. Free parking is available throughout Waterfront Place — see the Port’s 2026 visitor parking guide for current rates and locations.

    What was the original photograph?
    A 1940s candid taken by Edward Reinell of his daughter Kathy looking out over the small Everett boat harbor that sat between what were then Pier 1 and Pier 2. The photograph hung at the Everett Yacht Club for decades, where a classmate of Bowen’s eventually recognized her.

  • Help in Everett: Food Banks, Housing & Crisis Services

    Help in Everett: Food Banks, Housing & Crisis Services

    Everett has one of the most underutilized social safety nets of any city its size in Puget Sound — not because the help isn’t there, but because most residents never learn about it until they are in crisis and don’t have time to research. This is the plainspoken, no-judgment version of the guide, written for Everett residents specifically.

    If you are having a hard month in Everett — short on groceries, behind on rent, a parent trying to find preschool, an older adult looking for community, or someone in serious crisis — here is where to go first.

    If you need food this week

    Walk into the Everett Community Food Bank at 1230 Broadway. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., plus the second and fourth Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. You don’t prove income. You don’t bring paperwork. You don’t explain yourself to anyone. You walk in, you get groceries, grocery-store style. That is the actual policy — “no eligibility or documentation requirements to receive food” is the exact language.

    The food bank is run by Volunteers of America Western Washington, a nonprofit headquartered on Broadway that handles more than 315,000 requests for assistance a year across Snohomish County.

    If you live on or near Casino Road

    Two neighborhood pantries put food distribution closer to home:

    The Village, 14 E Casino Rd — second, fourth, and fifth Tuesdays, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
    Bible Baptist Church, 805 W Casino Rd — first and third Tuesdays, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

    Same no-documentation rule. Same grocery-style shopping. The Casino Road pantries are a neighborhood-owned effort with VOAWW as the operational backbone.

    If you are behind on rent or have lost housing

    Call (425) 259-3191. Ask for housing assistance. VOAWW runs emergency rental assistance, rapid rehousing (for people who have lost housing and need to get back in), and longer-term stabilization. No program can help every request, but this is one of the right phone numbers in Snohomish County.

    Other Everett-area housing help you can call in the same conversation: Housing Hope (HousingHope.org) and the Snohomish County Human Services Housing helpline. VOAWW can refer you to these if their own programs are at capacity.

    If you have a child ages 3 to 5 and need preschool you can afford

    Call (425) 259-3191 and ask about Trailside ECEAP. ECEAP is Washington State’s publicly funded preschool for income-qualifying families — free or reduced-cost, full preschool program with curriculum, meals, and family engagement. VOAWW operates the Trailside site in Everett.

    ECEAP enrollment is based on income and priority factors. Most families who qualify don’t realize they do. It is worth the call.

    If you are 50 or older and looking for community

    The Carl Gipson Center at 3025 Lombard Avenue, phone (425) 818-2744, is the Everett community hub for adults 50 and older, veterans, and people with disabilities. Classes, meals, programs, people. Membership-based, low cost. For many members it is the anchor of the week.

    If you are an older adult in Everett who feels alone or isolated, the Gipson Center is one of the most direct fixes available.

    If you or someone you love is in crisis

    Immediate safety emergency: 911.

    Suicide and crisis support, 24/7, anywhere in the U.S.: call or text 988.

    VOAWW’s 24/7 crisis line is a Snohomish County resource staffed by trained counselors. Call (425) 259-3191 for the current routing to the crisis team, or use 988 for the national line.

    If you want to help

    Three easy options:

    Donate money. VOAWW’s purchasing power through food-bank networks makes each dollar stretch further than the equivalent retail food donation. Donations at voaww.org or by mail to PO Box 839, Everett, WA 98206-0839.

    Donate food. Drop off Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1230 Broadway.

    Volunteer your time. Sign up at volunteer.voaww.org. Ongoing needs include food bank stocking and distribution, Gipson Center programs, ECEAP classroom support.

    The thing most Everett residents don’t know

    None of these services require a dramatic situation to use. The food bank is not just for homelessness — plenty of Everett households on thin budgets use it for one week, a month, or a year to stretch a paycheck. The housing help is not just for people already evicted — it is often most effective when you call before eviction. ECEAP is not charity, it is state-funded preschool your tax dollars already paid for.

    Use the things that exist. That is what they exist for.

    Related Exploring Everett coverage

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use the Everett food bank if I have a job?

    Yes. There are no income checks. There is no eligibility paperwork. If you need groceries, you walk in.

    What days is the Everett Community Food Bank open?

    Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 10 a.m.-2 p.m., plus the second and fourth Tuesdays 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Located at 1230 Broadway.

    Is the Casino Road food pantry the same program as the Broadway food bank?

    Yes — both run by VOAWW. Same no-documentation, grocery-style policies. The Casino Road sites are neighborhood-located for families in that area.

    Can VOAWW help me pay this month’s rent?

    Maybe. Call (425) 259-3191 and describe the situation. Rental assistance programs are capacity-limited and the answer depends on your specific situation, but this is the right first call.

    What is ECEAP?

    Washington State’s publicly funded preschool program for eligible children ages 3-5. VOAWW operates the Trailside ECEAP site in Everett. Enrollment starts with a call to (425) 259-3191.

    Who runs the Carl Gipson Center?

    VOAWW. The center at 3025 Lombard Avenue is the Everett community hub for adults 50 and older. Phone: (425) 818-2744.

    How do I reach the 24/7 crisis line?

    For immediate safety, 911. For suicide or mental health crisis support, call or text 988. For Snohomish County crisis routing, (425) 259-3191.


  • NAVSTA Everett VA Claims: 2026 Guide for Navy Families

    NAVSTA Everett VA Claims: 2026 Guide for Navy Families

    If you’re a sailor at Naval Station Everett, a spouse managing the household, a veteran transitioning out of active duty, or a Navy family just PCS’d into north Puget Sound, the February 2026 change at the Everett Vet Center directly affects how you access VA claims help. It’s a fixable change — but only if you know what actually changed and what to do next.

    Here is the version of this story written for Navy families specifically.

    The short version for someone still in uniform

    If you are active-duty Navy at NAVSTA Everett and thinking about your post-service VA claim, the most important thing to know is that the Everett Vet Center still exists, still runs full counseling services, and is still closer to base than Seattle. What changed: the weekday walk-in VFW Service Officer presence ended February 20, 2026. What replaced it: monthly VBA staff visits at the same Vet Center (by appointment) and two other local options.

    None of this means your claims pathway disappeared. It means the appointment habit replaced the walk-in habit.

    Three options within a reasonable drive of NAVSTA Everett

    Option 1: The Everett Vet Center, 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 207. VBA staff visit monthly for claims appointments. Phone: (425) 252-9701. The Vet Center is the closest “VA building” to NAVSTA Everett. For sailors living on base housing or in Everett proper, it is the shortest drive.

    Option 2: Snohomish County Veterans Assistance Program, 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, downtown Everett. The county’s own veterans program. Walk-ins accepted during business hours. Phone: (425) 388-7255. This is the option with the broadest scope — VA claims filing plus emergency rent, utilities, and transportation assistance if your family is in a crunch.

    Option 3: VFW Department of Washington, 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 101. VFW-accredited Service Officers by appointment in the same building as the Vet Center, one suite over. This is the continuation of the prior VFW service model — just with scheduled appointments instead of weekday walk-ins.

    The PCS-timing wrinkle

    Navy families rotating into or out of NAVSTA Everett face a specific wrinkle: VA claims are best filed close to the end of service, not after you’ve moved across the country. If you’re separating from the Navy while stationed at NAVSTA Everett, file your claim before PCS out of the area. The local VSO and VBA access is built around veterans who remain in the region.

    The Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program allows you to file up to 180 days before separation. If you’re within that window, schedule a claims appointment at the Everett Vet Center’s monthly VBA visit, or with VFW Department at Suite 101. You will get a faster, cleaner claim process than if you wait until after you separate and relocate.

    For spouses managing the paperwork

    With a Power of Attorney, a spouse can act on behalf of a deployed or underway sailor in many VA-claim contexts. For Navy families where the servicemember is at sea or on the Constellation timeline, scheduling a claims appointment for the spouse to attend is often the practical path. All three Snohomish County options above can work with POA-authorized spouses.

    Bring the POA paperwork to the appointment. Bring the DD-214 (or anticipated separation date, for BDD filings). Bring medical records if you have them. The VSO or VBA representative does the rest.

    What NAVSTA Fleet & Family Support Center does and doesn’t do

    Fleet & Family Support Center at NAVSTA Everett provides transition assistance, counseling, and a range of family services on base. It is not a VA claims office. For specific VA disability claim filing, the three options above are where to go.

    F&FSC is, however, the right starting point for transition assistance programming generally, including TAP (Transition Assistance Program) participation before separation. TAP includes orientation to the VA benefits process and is the cleanest on-base starting point.

    Everett VA Outpatient Clinic is for care, not claims

    The Everett VA Outpatient Clinic on Smokey Point Boulevard is the closest VA medical facility for enrolled veterans living north of Seattle. It handles primary care and mental health care. It is not a benefits office, and you cannot file VA disability claims there. If your need is medical care after enrollment, the clinic is the right place. If your need is claims help, use the three options listed above.

    The Vet Center is still the place for counseling

    A reminder for Navy families where someone is struggling: the Everett Vet Center’s core mission — confidential readjustment counseling, PTSD support, MST counseling, family therapy, bereavement support — was not affected by the February 2026 change. Those services continue Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 207.

    After-hours Vet Center Call Center: 1-877-927-8387. Staffed 24/7, confidential.

    Related Exploring Everett coverage

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where can a Navy family at NAVSTA Everett file a VA disability claim in 2026?

    At the Everett Vet Center during VBA monthly visits (by appointment), at the Snohomish County Veterans Assistance Program at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, or with the VFW Department of Washington at 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 101.

    Can I file a VA claim before I separate from the Navy?

    Yes. Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) lets you file up to 180 days before separation. The monthly VBA visit at the Everett Vet Center is a good in-person option for BDD filings if you’re stationed at NAVSTA Everett.

    Can my spouse file a VA claim on my behalf while I’m underway?

    With a valid Power of Attorney, yes. Bring the POA paperwork to the appointment. All three Snohomish County options above can work with POA-authorized spouses.

    Does NAVSTA Fleet & Family Support Center file VA claims?

    No. F&FSC provides transition assistance and programming (including TAP) but is not a VA claims office. Use the three Snohomish County options above for claim filing.

    Is the Everett VA Outpatient Clinic a claims office?

    No. It is a primary care and mental health clinic for enrolled veterans. You cannot file disability claims there.


  • Volunteers of America Everett: 2026 Program Guide

    Volunteers of America Everett: 2026 Program Guide

    Quick answer: Volunteers of America Western Washington (VOAWW) is headquartered at 2802 Broadway in Everett and responds to more than 315,000 requests for assistance a year across Snohomish County. Its programs include the no-documentation Everett Community Food Bank at 1230 Broadway, two Casino Road food pantries, the Carl Gipson Center for adults 50 and older at 3025 Lombard Avenue, the Trailside ECEAP preschool, rapid rehousing and rental assistance, crisis counseling, and a 24/7 crisis line. Main phone: (425) 259-3191.

    If you have lived in Everett for any length of time, you have probably heard the name Volunteers of America — most often shortened to VOA — and you may know someone who has walked through one of their doors. What most people don’t know is how big the operation actually is, or how many different kinds of help it provides from its Everett base.

    This is the complete 2026 guide to the organization, program by program, with every address and phone number a resident might actually need.

    The Headquarters: 2802 Broadway

    VOAWW’s administrative headquarters is at 2802 Broadway in Everett, WA 98201. The main line is (425) 259-3191. The mailing address for donations or general correspondence is PO Box 839, Everett, WA 98206-0839.

    The headquarters building is the front door for the whole network. If you don’t know which program you need, calling the main number and describing the situation will route you to the right team.

    VOAWW reports responding to more than 315,000 requests for assistance annually. A significant share of that volume is processed through Everett facilities and Everett staff.

    The Everett Community Food Bank: 1230 Broadway

    The VOAWW Everett Community Food Bank operates at 1230 Broadway, Everett, WA 98201 — a few blocks north of headquarters. Two policies shape who walks in:

    No documentation required. The food bank’s public materials are explicit: “There are no eligibility or documentation requirements to receive food.” You don’t prove income. You don’t bring paperwork. You don’t explain your situation.

    Grocery-store style. Guests walk through and select their own food rather than receiving a pre-assembled bag. Dietary restrictions, cultural preferences, allergies, and what kids will actually eat all matter, and the grocery-style model respects the dignity of the person shopping.

    Hours for groceries:

    • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Second and fourth Tuesday — 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

    Donations accepted: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    Food bank phone: (425) 259-3191 ext. 13014
    Email: food@voaww.org

    The Casino Road Food Pantries

    In addition to the Broadway food bank, VOAWW runs two food pantries on Casino Road that put food distribution directly into the neighborhood that uses it most:

    The Village
    14 E Casino Rd, Everett, WA 98208
    Second, fourth, and fifth Tuesdays, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

    Bible Baptist Church
    805 W Casino Rd, Everett, WA 98204
    First and third Tuesdays, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

    Same no-documentation, grocery-style policy as the Broadway food bank. The Casino Road pantries are a partnership between VOAWW and the local neighborhood — a significant share of volunteer energy, food donation, and community ownership of the work comes from Casino Road itself.

    The Carl Gipson Center: 3025 Lombard Avenue

    The Carl Gipson Center at 3025 Lombard Avenue, Everett, WA 98201 is VOAWW’s membership-based community home for adults 50 and older, veterans, people with disabilities, immigrants, and other underserved communities. Phone: (425) 818-2744.

    The Gipson Center offers classes, meals, social connection, health programs, and a consistent community hub. For many Everett older adults, it is the anchor point of their week. For the city, it is one of the most concrete answers to “where do older adults find community here?”

    The Trailside ECEAP Preschool

    ECEAP (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program) is Washington State’s publicly funded preschool for eligible children. VOAWW operates the Trailside ECEAP in Everett, offering free or reduced-cost preschool to qualifying families.

    ECEAP eligibility is based on income and need. Families who qualify can enroll children ages 3 to 5 for a full preschool experience at no cost. This is not daycare — it is a structured preschool program with school-readiness curriculum, meals, and family engagement services.

    Enrollment starts with a call to the main VOAWW line, (425) 259-3191.

    Housing: Rapid Rehousing and Rental Assistance

    VOAWW’s housing programs span the continuum from emergency rental assistance (one-time help to prevent eviction) to rapid rehousing (short-term rent and case management for people who have lost housing and are getting back into stable housing) to longer-term stabilization services.

    The practical version: if someone in Everett is at risk of losing housing, or has already lost it, VOAWW is one of the first places to call. The programs are capacity-limited — no one can promise assistance for every request — but the organization is a primary entry point for housing stabilization help in Snohomish County.

    To inquire about housing help, call (425) 259-3191 and describe the situation. The intake team will determine which specific program fits and what the next step is.

    Crisis Services and the 24/7 Crisis Line

    VOAWW operates a 24/7 crisis line serving Snohomish County and adjacent counties. For someone in mental-health crisis, experiencing thoughts of suicide, or needing immediate support, the crisis line is staffed around the clock by trained counselors.

    For immediate safety concerns, always call 911.

    The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is the national 24/7 resource as well, accessible from anywhere in the U.S. by calling or texting 988.

    How to volunteer with VOAWW

    Ongoing volunteer needs include food bank stocking and distribution, Carl Gipson Center programming, ECEAP classroom support, and administrative support at headquarters. Volunteer sign-up is at volunteer.voaww.org or by calling the main line.

    For employers and community groups interested in group volunteer days, VOAWW coordinates these through the headquarters staff.

    How to donate

    Financial donations: voaww.org
    Mail: PO Box 839, Everett, WA 98206-0839
    Food donations: Dropped at the Everett Community Food Bank, 1230 Broadway, Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    Monetary donations are typically more impactful dollar-for-dollar than food donations because VOAWW’s purchasing power through food-bank networks lets each dollar stretch further than a retail purchase.

    The bigger Everett picture

    VOAWW is one of several major social service organizations operating in Everett — alongside Snohomish County’s own Veterans Assistance Program, Housing Hope, Cocoon House, Catholic Community Services, and a range of smaller neighborhood organizations. The specific thing VOAWW does that many others don’t is the no-documentation, grocery-style food bank at scale, combined with the older-adult anchor at the Carl Gipson Center and the ECEAP preschool.

    For a city the size of Everett, having a nonprofit of this scale headquartered on Broadway is not just operationally useful — it is part of what makes the city’s social safety net visible and accessible.

    Related Exploring Everett coverage

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where is Volunteers of America Western Washington headquartered?

    2802 Broadway, Everett, WA 98201. Main phone: (425) 259-3191. Mailing: PO Box 839, Everett, WA 98206-0839.

    Do I need to prove income or bring paperwork to the Everett food bank?

    No. The Everett Community Food Bank at 1230 Broadway has no eligibility or documentation requirements. You walk in, you receive groceries, grocery-store style.

    What are the hours of the Everett Community Food Bank?

    Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., plus the second and fourth Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

    Where are the Casino Road food pantries?

    The Village (14 E Casino Rd) opens 2-5 p.m. on the second, fourth, and fifth Tuesdays. Bible Baptist Church (805 W Casino Rd) opens 3-5 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays.

    What is the Carl Gipson Center?

    VOAWW’s community hub for adults 50 and older, veterans, and people with disabilities. Located at 3025 Lombard Avenue, Everett. Phone: (425) 818-2744.

    Does VOAWW help with housing?

    Yes. Programs include emergency rental assistance, rapid rehousing, and longer-term stabilization services. Call (425) 259-3191 to inquire.

    How do I enroll a child in ECEAP preschool?

    Call (425) 259-3191. ECEAP is Washington State’s publicly funded preschool for eligible families. Trailside ECEAP is VOAWW’s Everett site.

    How do I volunteer with VOAWW?

    Sign up at volunteer.voaww.org or call the main line at (425) 259-3191.


  • Everett Stadium Vote: What the $10.6M Loan Means for You

    Everett Stadium Vote: What the $10.6M Loan Means for You

    On April 29, 2026, the Everett City Council votes on $10.6 million of stadium funding. The headlines will focus on the teams and the project timeline. If you live in Everett, the question worth asking is narrower and more personal: what does this vote actually do to your city services, your future tax bill, and the ballot measure that eventually decides the whole thing?

    Here’s the resident’s version.

    The vote is about a loan, not a bond

    The $10.6 million on the April 29 agenda is structured as an interfund loan — the city moving money from its general fund (the same account that pays for police, fire, parks, and libraries) into the stadium project fund. The plan is to pay the general fund back when a future stadium bond measure passes.

    There is no new tax on April 29. There is no ballot measure on April 29. There is no outside borrowing on April 29. There is an internal transfer of city cash, with a repayment plan pinned to a later public vote.

    What this means for your property tax bill right now

    Zero change. The interfund loan is not a property tax action. Your 2026 and 2027 property tax bill, as currently structured, is unaffected by the April 29 vote itself.

    What could change your future tax picture is the stadium bond measure that would eventually come to voters. A bond to fund stadium construction would be repaid over time through a dedicated property tax levy. That is a future ballot decision; April 29 is a prerequisite to it, not the same thing.

    What this means for your city services

    This is where it gets real. The general fund pays for the things you notice day-to-day — Everett police response times, fire coverage, park maintenance, library hours, permitting, street work. The city is simultaneously publicly discussing a $14 million structural gap in the 2027 general fund.

    Loaning $10.6 million out of general fund balance in April 2026 does two things at once: it reduces the cushion available against the 2027 gap, and it creates an expectation that a bond sale will repay the loan on a specific future timeline. If the bond passes, the money comes back. If the bond fails or never gets sent to the ballot, the services-side budget absorbs the loss.

    The specific number to keep in mind: $4.8 million

    Council materials identify $4.8 million as the floor loss if the interfund loan is approved but the subsequent bond measure fails. That is general fund money that cannot be recovered, in a year the city is also asking residents to consider new revenue options to close the $14 million gap.

    Whether that risk is acceptable depends on how confident you are that a stadium bond will pass at the ballot box. There is no published polling on the Everett stadium bond yet.

    What Everett residents actually get if the project completes

    A 5,000-seat outdoor event center downtown at Wall Street and Broadway. The Everett AquaSox relocated from Funko Field. Two professional soccer franchises — a men’s team and a women’s team — in the United Soccer League. Year-round concerts and events. Teams are committing $17 million upfront and roughly $100 million in 30-year lease payments. The city would staff one stadium-operations employee; the teams run day-to-day operations.

    Mayor Cassie Franklin has framed this as a lean operating model that uses private operating capability to monetize city-owned real estate.

    The future ballot timing, as best we know it

    The city has not yet scheduled the bond measure that would repay the interfund loan. Based on the project timeline, a bond measure at a 2026 or 2027 general election is a realistic window. Residents can watch for the specific ballot language and timing to be set by council resolution.

    If you want to know when your vote actually counts for this project, it’s on that bond measure, not on April 29. The April 29 vote is a council-only decision.

    How to participate before the April 29 vote

    Public comment at Everett City Council meetings is open to residents. The council meets at 6:30 p.m. at Everett City Hall, 2930 Wetmore Avenue. You can sign up to speak, submit written comment, or watch the livestream on the city website.

    If you care about this vote, the most useful use of three minutes at the microphone is on the specific question in front of the council: is the $10.6 million interfund loan an acceptable general-fund risk given the 2027 budget gap?

    Related Exploring Everett coverage

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Will my Everett property taxes go up because of the April 29 stadium vote?

    Not from the April 29 vote itself. It is an interfund loan, not a tax action. Your tax picture could change if a future stadium bond measure passes — but that is a separate, later ballot decision.

    Can I vote on the April 29 stadium decision?

    No. The April 29 decision is a City Council vote, not a ballot measure. You can provide public comment at the council meeting.

    What happens to the $10.6 million if the stadium doesn’t get built?

    If the subsequent bond measure fails, the city loses at least $4.8 million of general fund money that cannot be recovered, per council materials.

    Does the interfund loan affect the 2027 budget gap?

    It reduces the general fund balance available as a cushion against the $14 million 2027 structural gap. It does not directly cause the gap — that is a revenue-versus-expenses structural issue — but it changes the city’s reserve position.

    How do I comment on the stadium vote?

    Attend the April 29 council meeting at Everett City Hall, 2930 Wetmore Avenue, 6:30 p.m., or submit written public comment through the city’s website before the meeting.


  • VA Claims Help Snohomish County: 2026 Everett Guide

    VA Claims Help Snohomish County: 2026 Everett Guide

    Quick answer: As of February 20, 2026, VFW Veterans Service Officers no longer hold weekday hours inside the Everett Vet Center. Snohomish County veterans now have three primary in-person options for VA claims help: VBA staff visits (monthly, by appointment) at the Everett Vet Center at 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 207; the Snohomish County Veterans Assistance Program at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue in Everett; and the VFW Department of Washington office in Suite 101 of the same Everett Mall Way building. Vet Center counseling services were not affected by the change.

    For any veteran in Snohomish County, Skagit County, or Island County who has relied on the Everett Vet Center as the closest “VA building” for help filing a disability claim or appeal, the path has changed. Nothing you earned has changed. Only the door to walk through has.

    This is the complete 2026 guide to where to go now.

    What actually changed on February 20, 2026

    The Everett Vet Center at 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 207, had for years hosted VFW-credentialed Veterans Service Officers on weekdays as a partner service. A VSO is an accredited representative who helps veterans prepare and file VA claims and appeals — at no charge to the veteran.

    On February 20, 2026, that arrangement ended. VFW VSOs are no longer staffing the Everett Vet Center on weekdays. In place of the weekday VSO presence, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) staff — federal employees, not volunteer VSOs — now visit the Vet Center monthly to take claims appointments.

    The Vet Center’s core mission was not affected. Readjustment counseling, PTSD counseling, military sexual trauma counseling, family and bereavement support, and group programs continue on the Monday-through-Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. schedule. Non-traditional hours are available by arrangement. The after-hours Vet Center Call Center remains 877-927-8387.

    Option 1: VBA monthly visits at the Everett Vet Center

    Location: 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 207, Everett, WA 98208
    Phone: (425) 252-9701
    What to expect: VBA staff from the Seattle VA Regional Office visit once a month to take claims appointments. These are by appointment only — walk-ins are not recommended. The Vet Center publishes the updated monthly schedule.

    This is the closest thing to a continuation of the previous arrangement. For veterans who built a relationship with the Vet Center as their VA access point, this is the option that keeps you in the same building.

    Option 2: Snohomish County Veterans Assistance Program

    Location: 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, Everett, WA 98201 (Snohomish County Administration East Building)
    Phone: (425) 388-7255
    What to expect: The county’s own veterans assistance program provides emergency financial assistance, VA claim filing help, and connections to additional benefits. This is a county government program, separate from the VA itself, funded in part by the county’s veterans assistance levy.

    For veterans who want a one-stop local government office that can help both with VA claims and with emergency assistance (rent, utilities, transportation), this is the option with the broadest scope. Walk-ins are accepted during business hours, but calling ahead is always faster.

    Option 3: VFW Department of Washington, Suite 101

    Location: 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 101, Everett, WA 98208
    What to expect: The VFW Department of Washington maintains an office one suite over from the Vet Center in the same building. Accredited VFW VSOs work out of this office for scheduled appointments. This is the closest spiritual continuation of the pre-February arrangement.

    For veterans who specifically want to work with a VFW-credentialed VSO and want to stay in the same building as before, Suite 101 is where to call. Appointments should be scheduled in advance.

    What each option is best for

    New claims. Any of the three options can help you file an initial VA disability claim. Snohomish County’s Veterans Assistance Program has local-government wraparound services that pair well with a new claim if you are also in financial crisis.

    Appeals. Appeals benefit from the accredited VSO model — either VFW at Suite 101 or the American Legion and DAV-accredited reps at the Snohomish County Veterans Assistance Program. Appeals are procedurally complex and the free VSO representation is materially valuable.

    Records requests. The VBA monthly visit at the Vet Center is often the cleanest path for veterans who need DD-214 replacement, service treatment records, or specific VBA paperwork handled.

    Emergency assistance. Snohomish County’s Veterans Assistance Program is the only option with direct emergency financial assistance (rent, utilities, transportation).

    What about the Everett VA Outpatient Clinic?

    The Everett VA Outpatient Clinic on Smokey Point Boulevard handles primary care and mental health care for enrolled veterans. It is not a benefits office. You cannot file VA disability claims at the outpatient clinic. If your question is about medical care, the clinic is the right place. If your question is about claims, appeals, or benefits paperwork, it is not.

    Who the Everett Vet Center still serves

    A reminder that nothing about the following changed on February 20, 2026:

    • Readjustment counseling for combat veterans
    • Military sexual trauma counseling
    • Family and couples therapy
    • Bereavement counseling for families of service members who died on active duty
    • Veteran group programs
    • After-hours Vet Center Call Center: 877-927-8387

    If you came to the Vet Center for counseling, the door is still open the same hours it always was.

    Why the change matters geographically

    The Everett Vet Center is the closest VA-affiliated building for veterans living in Marysville, Lake Stevens, Mill Creek, Mukilteo, Lynnwood, Edmonds, and the Smokey Point/Arlington corridor. For veterans with mobility limitations, transportation constraints, or PTSD-related anxiety about new environments, losing the weekday walk-in claims help is a real friction point. The fix is not giving up — it’s knowing the three options above and calling to schedule.

    Related Exploring Everett coverage

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where can I file a VA disability claim in Snohomish County in 2026?

    Three options: VBA staff during monthly visits at the Everett Vet Center (by appointment), the Snohomish County Veterans Assistance Program at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, or the VFW Department of Washington office at 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 101.

    Is the Everett Vet Center closed?

    No. The Vet Center remains open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with full counseling services. Only the weekday VFW Service Officer arrangement ended February 20, 2026.

    Do I have to pay for VA claims help?

    No. All three Snohomish County options — VBA monthly visits, county Veterans Assistance Program, and VFW-accredited VSOs — provide VA claims help free of charge.

    Can I walk in without an appointment?

    The Snohomish County Veterans Assistance Program accepts walk-ins during business hours (but calling first is faster). VBA monthly visits at the Vet Center and VFW Department at Suite 101 are appointment-based.

    What does the Everett VA Outpatient Clinic do?

    Primary care and mental health care for enrolled veterans. It is not a benefits office — you cannot file VA disability claims there.

    What is a VSO?

    A Veterans Service Officer — an accredited representative (often VFW, American Legion, or DAV) who can help veterans file and represent VA claims and appeals free of charge.

    What is VBA?

    Veterans Benefits Administration — the federal agency inside the Department of Veterans Affairs that handles benefits claims. VBA staff are federal employees. VSOs are accredited volunteers or service-organization employees.

    Who do I call for the after-hours Vet Center Call Center?

    1-877-927-8387, staffed 24/7 for veterans in need of confidential support.


  • Everett Stadium Interfund Loan: $10.6M Vote & Key Risks

    Everett Stadium Interfund Loan: $10.6M Vote & Key Risks

    Quick answer: On April 29, 2026, the Everett City Council votes on a $10.6 million funding package for downtown stadium design completion and property acquisition, structured as an interfund loan from the city’s general fund balance. The loan is planned to be repaid when the city passes a future stadium bond measure — projected north of $40 million — to fund construction. If the council approves the loan but voters later reject the bond, the city would face the loss of at least $4.8 million in general fund dollars that cannot be recovered.

    The interfund loan is the least-understood part of the Everett stadium conversation, but it is the mechanism that ties every other piece together: the $7.2 million already spent, the $120 million total projected cost, the teams’ $17 million upfront commitment, and the city’s ongoing $14 million 2027 budget gap.

    Here is the plain-language breakdown.

    What an interfund loan is, in one paragraph

    An interfund loan moves cash between accounts the city already owns. Everett’s general fund — the main operating account that pays for police, fire, parks, and general government — is one account. The stadium project fund is another. When the council authorizes an interfund loan, it transfers cash from the general fund balance to the stadium fund with the expectation that a specific future revenue source (in this case, a bond sale) will pay the general fund back.

    What the money is not: not a grant, not a new tax, not external borrowing from the public bond market. It is existing city cash being lent from one pocket to another, with a plan for repayment.

    The April 29 vote, in structure

    The $10.6 million would fund two activities:

    Stadium design completion. The Outdoor Event Center — the formal name of the project — requires a completed design package before construction bidding can begin. The design translates the 5,000-seat concept, artificial turf field, clubhouse/event space, and walking perimeter into construction documents detailed enough to price and build.

    Property acquisition. The site requires 15 parcels. Council materials indicate the city has signed purchase agreements on two parcels, has pending agreements on four more, and is in active negotiations with the owners of eight others. The main entrance to the completed facility is planned at Wall Street and Broadway.

    How the loan gets repaid

    Repayment is tied to a future stadium bond measure. The project’s total projected cost has risen from $82 million in June 2025 to $120 million as of January 2026. The city has telegraphed a general obligation bond in the range of $40 million or more as the primary construction funding vehicle. When that bond sells, the general fund gets paid back.

    The team-side revenue commitments sit on top of that structure. The three teams expected to call the stadium home — the Everett AquaSox, plus men’s and women’s United Soccer League franchises — have committed $17 million upfront and roughly $100 million in 30-year lease payments. Under the lease structure, the city would need to staff only one employee to oversee stadium operations.

    The risk no one is talking about loudly

    If the council approves the $10.6 million interfund loan and the city later fails to pass the bond that repays it — either because the council doesn’t send a bond to the ballot, or voters reject it — the city loses the general fund dollars that have already been spent.

    The specific number being cited in council materials as the floor loss is $4.8 million. That figure represents a meaningful portion of general fund reserves in a year when the city is also publicly discussing a $14 million 2027 budget gap.

    How the stadium connects to the $14M 2027 budget gap

    The city’s four-lever 2027 budget decision and the stadium interfund loan are not the same conversation, but they draw from the same fund. General fund balance that is loaned to the stadium fund is balance that cannot simultaneously sit as cushion against the 2027 structural gap.

    Council members asking questions at the April 29 hearing are expected to press this point: is the city comfortable lending $10.6 million from the general fund in the same calendar year it is also telling residents the general fund structurally under-collects by $14 million?

    What the city has spent to date

    Approximately $7.2 million in capital funds has already been spent on the stadium project. Adding the $10.6 million request would bring cumulative pre-construction city spending to roughly $17.8 million. The cumulative tally matters because it sets the floor for any future “what did we spend and what did we get for it” conversation if the bond measure fails.

    Who’s on the other side of the table

    The three sports tenants — AquaSox, men’s USL, women’s USL — bring $17 million in upfront commitments and roughly $100 million in 30-year lease payments. Mayor Cassie Franklin has publicly framed the one-employee city staffing structure as a lean-operation advantage: the teams run day-to-day operations; the city holds the real estate and collects lease revenue.

    For residents evaluating the deal, the key question is whether the combined team commitments, bond proceeds, and lease stream cover the $120 million projected total cost on a timeline the city can responsibly absorb.

    How to watch the April 29 vote

    The Everett City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. at Everett City Hall, 2930 Wetmore Avenue. Meetings are livestreamed on the city website. The April 29 agenda item is the $10.6 million interfund loan authorization; the broader stadium bond measure is a separate, later decision.

    Related Exploring Everett coverage

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is an interfund loan in simple terms?

    It is the city moving cash between accounts it already owns. General fund balance is transferred to the stadium project fund, with the expectation that a future revenue source — typically a bond sale — repays it.

    Is an interfund loan the same as borrowing money from the public?

    No. It is internal to the city. No external bond buyers are involved in the interfund transfer itself. A later public bond sale is what repays the interfund loan.

    What happens if the council approves the loan but voters reject the stadium bond?

    The city would lose at least $4.8 million in general fund dollars that cannot be recovered. That is the floor loss cited in council materials.

    How much has Everett already spent on the stadium?

    Approximately $7.2 million in capital funds as of the April 29, 2026 vote. Approving the $10.6 million loan would bring cumulative pre-construction spending to roughly $17.8 million.

    What is the total projected cost of the Everett stadium?

    $120 million as of January 2026, up from $82 million in June 2025.

    Who are the stadium tenants?

    The Everett AquaSox, a men’s United Soccer League franchise, and a women’s USL franchise have committed $17 million upfront and roughly $100 million in 30-year lease payments.

    Where is the stadium being built?

    Downtown Everett. The main entrance is planned at Wall Street and Broadway, requiring acquisition of 15 parcels.

    When does Everett vote on the interfund loan?

    April 29, 2026, at the regular Everett City Council meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Everett City Hall, 2930 Wetmore Avenue.


  • Volunteers of America Everett: Food Bank & Services

    Volunteers of America Everett: Food Bank & Services

    Quick answer: Volunteers of America Western Washington is headquartered in Everett at 2802 Broadway and operates one of the busiest food banks in Snohomish County along with Casino Road food pantries, the Carl Gipson Center for older adults, the Trailside ECEAP preschool, rapid rehousing, and a 24/7 crisis line. The organization responds to more than 315,000 requests for assistance a year, and its Everett food bank requires no documentation — you walk in, you get groceries, grocery-store style.

    Ask around Everett about where people in a hard month go for help, and the same name keeps coming up: VOA. Volunteers of America Western Washington has been part of the fabric of this city for decades, and most of the work they do quietly — housing people out of crisis, feeding families without asking questions, running a preschool for kids whose families can’t afford one, answering the phone at 3 a.m. for someone thinking about ending it.

    This is a local’s guide to what VOAWW actually does in Everett, where it does it, and how to find help or plug in.

    The Headquarters and What It Means Locally

    VOAWW’s administrative headquarters sits at 2802 Broadway in Everett, with the main phone line at (425) 259-3191. That’s the front door for everything else — if you don’t know which program you need, the team there can route you. The mailing address for donations or referrals is PO Box 839, Everett, WA 98206-0839.

    Everett being the operational home of a nonprofit of this size matters. According to VOAWW, the organization receives more than 315,000 requests for assistance a year — and a large share of that volume runs through Everett facilities, Everett staff, and Everett neighbors showing up for their neighbors.

    The Everett Food Bank: No Paperwork, Just Groceries

    The VOAWW Everett Food Bank operates out of 1230 Broadway, a few blocks north of headquarters. Two facts about this food bank are worth emphasizing because they shape who walks in:

    1. There is no eligibility check. You don’t prove income. You don’t bring documentation. You don’t explain your situation. You walk in. The official language on VOAWW’s materials is blunt about this: “There are no eligibility or documentation requirements to receive food.” That’s intentional — it’s designed to remove every barrier between “I’m running short this week” and “I have food on the table tonight.”

    2. It’s grocery-store style, not a handed-out bag. Guests walk through and select what they actually need, which matters more than it sounds. Dietary restrictions, cultural foods, allergies, what your kids will actually eat — those matter. A grocery-style model respects the dignity of the person shopping.

    Hours for groceries:

    • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Second and fourth Tuesday — 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

    Donations of food are accepted Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The food bank phone number is (425) 259-3191 ext. 13014, and the email is food@voaww.org.

    Casino Road Food Pantries

    In addition to the Broadway food bank, VOAWW operates two Casino Road food pantries that put food distribution inside the neighborhood that needs it most. These are small, local, and hyper-predictable — the same days every month so families can plan:

    • The Village — 14 E Casino Rd, Everett, WA 98208. Second, fourth, and fifth Tuesdays, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Bible Baptist Church — 805 W Casino Rd, Everett, WA 98204. First and third Tuesdays, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

    Same no-documentation rule applies. This is one of those quiet things that makes Casino Road what it is — the neighborhood showing up for itself, with VOAWW as the backbone.

    The Carl Gipson Center: 50+ Community

    The Carl Gipson Center at 3025 Lombard Avenue is VOAWW’s membership-based community home for adults 50 and older, veterans, people with disabilities, immigrants, and underserved communities more broadly. The phone is (425) 818-2744.

    The Gipson Center is where Everett older adults go for classes, meals, social connection, and a consistent community hub. For many members, it’s the anchor point of their week. For Everett more broadly, it’s one of the most concrete answers to the question “where do older adults in this city find community?”

    Housing: Rapid Rehousing and Stability

    VOAWW’s housing programs span short-term rental assistance to long-term stabilization services. The practical version: if someone in Everett is at risk of losing housing, or has lost it, VOAWW is one of the first places to call. Short-term rental assistance helps people obtain housing quickly and stay housed. Longer-term case management connects families with the services they need to remain stable.

    This is the kind of program that doesn’t make headlines because its success looks like nothing happening — someone didn’t become homeless, because the help arrived in time.

    Early Learning: Trailside ECEAP Preschool

    VOAWW operates Trailside ECEAP at 1300b 100th Pl SE, Everett, as part of Washington’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program — free preschool for eligible families. The contact is (425) 212-2941.

    ECEAP is Washington’s answer to the research consensus that high-quality preschool changes educational trajectories, especially for kids from lower-income families. Trailside is one of the local versions of that answer, and it’s serving Everett families who would otherwise not have access to preschool at all.

    Disability Services and Crisis Support

    Two more VOAWW programs worth naming because Everett residents call them often:

    Supported Living — In partnership with Washington State DSHS, this program helps adults with developmental disabilities live in their own homes in the community with the right support. That’s independence without isolation, which is an unusual and valuable thing to offer.

    Crisis Services — VOAWW provides 24/7 crisis support for people considering suicide and for people who want to help someone else get care. This program is one of the regional anchors for behavioral health crisis response.

    How to Help

    If you want to plug in locally, there are four front doors:

    Donate food. The Broadway food bank accepts donations Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Non-perishables, fresh produce, and culturally relevant foods are all welcome — Casino Road serves large Latino and Southeast Asian communities, and food that reflects that makes a difference.

    Volunteer. The Everett Community Food Bank regularly needs volunteers to stock shelves, welcome guests, and help run distribution. Start at volunteer.voaww.org.

    Donate money. Every program listed above runs partly on public contracts and partly on private donations. Recurring monthly giving is the single highest-leverage way to help because it stabilizes staffing.

    Refer someone. The easiest help to give is knowing the 2802 Broadway phone number — (425) 259-3191 — and passing it to a neighbor, coworker, or family member who could use it. VOAWW will triage and route.

    The Through-Line

    The reason VOAWW shows up in conversations about every Everett issue — housing, hunger, older adults, early learning, mental health, disability — is that the organization built its footprint to address the full stack of what actually makes a city work for its most vulnerable residents. You can’t fix housing without food security. You can’t fix food security without early learning. You can’t fix early learning without behavioral health. VOAWW treats those as one problem, which is the whole point.

    Everett is the headquarters for a reason.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where is the Volunteers of America Everett Food Bank?
    At 1230 Broadway in Everett. It is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

    Do I need to prove income or bring documents to get food?
    No. VOAWW’s Everett food bank and Casino Road food pantries have no eligibility or documentation requirements. You walk in and you are served.

    Where are the Casino Road food pantries?
    The Village at 14 E Casino Rd (second, fourth, and fifth Tuesdays, 2–5 p.m.) and Bible Baptist Church at 805 W Casino Rd (first and third Tuesdays, 3–5 p.m.).

    What is the Carl Gipson Center?
    A membership-based community center at 3025 Lombard Avenue in Everett serving adults 50 and older, veterans, people with disabilities, and other community members. The phone is (425) 818-2744.

    How do I reach VOAWW’s main office in Everett?
    Call (425) 259-3191 or visit 2802 Broadway. The mailing address is PO Box 839, Everett, WA 98206-0839.

    How can I volunteer or donate?
    Volunteer sign-ups are at volunteer.voaww.org. Food donations are accepted at the Broadway food bank Monday–Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monetary donations can be made through voaww.org.

    Does VOAWW run a preschool in Everett?
    Yes — Trailside ECEAP at 1300b 100th Pl SE, Everett, part of Washington’s free Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program. Contact: (425) 212-2941.

  • Everett VA Claims Help: 3 New Options for Veterans in 2026

    Everett VA Claims Help: 3 New Options for Veterans in 2026

    Quick answer: As of February 20, 2026, VFW Veterans Service Officers no longer hold weekday hours inside the Everett Vet Center at 1010 SE Everett Mall Way. Veterans seeking VA claims help in Snohomish County now have three primary in-person options: monthly visits from VBA staff at the Vet Center (by appointment), the Snohomish County Veterans Assistance Program at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue in Everett, and the VFW Department of Washington office one suite over at 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 101.

    If you’re a veteran in Everett or anywhere in north Snohomish County and you’ve been used to walking into the Vet Center on a weekday to get help filing a VA claim, you may have noticed the signs and the schedule changed earlier this spring. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Veterans Service Officers who used to hold regular weekday hours inside the Everett Vet Center on Everett Mall Way are no longer there during the workweek. The change took effect February 20, 2026, and the Vet Center has updated its public information to reflect a new claims-support pattern: monthly visits from Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) staff at the same location, available by appointment.

    For most veterans this is a manageable change. For some it is a real wrinkle. The point of this guide is to make sure no one in Snohomish County misses a benefit they earned because they showed up at the wrong door on the wrong day.

    What actually changed

    The Everett Vet Center, located at 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 207, is part of the national Vet Center program run by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Vet Centers exist primarily to provide readjustment counseling — confidential, no-cost mental health and family support for combat veterans, survivors of military sexual trauma, and family members of service members who died on active duty. Counseling is the Vet Center’s core mission.

    In addition to that core mission, the Everett facility had hosted VFW-credentialed Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) on weekdays as a partner service. A VSO is an accredited representative who can sit down with a veteran, walk through the VA disability claim or appeal process, prepare documents, and submit them on the veteran’s behalf — at no charge. Walk-in or scheduled VSO appointments at the Vet Center had been a quiet but heavily used resource for years, especially for veterans north of Seattle who don’t want to drive to the VA medical center on Beacon Hill.

    According to the Vet Center’s current public-facing information, that arrangement ended February 20, 2026. VFW VSOs are no longer staffing the Everett Vet Center on weekdays. In its place, VBA staff — federal employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration — visit the Vet Center monthly to take claims appointments. Walk-ins for benefits help should not be assumed; the Vet Center publishes its updated visit schedule and recommends calling ahead.

    The counseling services at the Vet Center are not affected. PTSD counseling, military sexual trauma counseling, family and couples therapy, bereavement support, and the existing veteran group programs continue on the same Monday-through-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. schedule. Non-traditional hours are available by arrangement, and the after-hours Vet Center Call Center remains 877-927-8387.

    What changed is specifically the day-to-day, walk-in-style availability of trained claims help inside that building.

    Why this matters in Snohomish County

    The Everett Vet Center serves a wide chunk of north Snohomish, Skagit, and Island Counties. For a sizable population of veterans living in Marysville, Lake Stevens, Mill Creek, Mukilteo, and the Smokey Point/Arlington corridor, the Vet Center is the closest VA-affiliated building they ever set foot in. The Everett VA Outpatient Clinic on Smokey Point Boulevard handles primary and mental health care, but it is not a benefits office. The full VA Regional Office is in Seattle. The Snohomish County Veterans Services office is downtown, which is fine if you live in Everett proper but not as convenient if you live to the north.

    For veterans without reliable transportation, with mobility limitations, or with PTSD-related anxiety about new environments, the loss of a familiar, non-clinical place to walk in and ask for claims help is a real friction point. The fix is not to give up on filing — the fix is to know where to go now.

    The three best in-person options today

    There are three places in Snohomish County where a veteran can sit down with an accredited person, in a familiar Everett-area setting, and get free claims help. They are listed below in order of how most veterans should think about them.

    Option 1: VBA monthly visits at the Everett Vet Center (by appointment)

    This is the closest direct replacement for what used to be there. VBA — the part of VA that processes disability claims, appeals, education benefits, home loan certificates, and survivor benefits — sends staff to the Everett Vet Center on a recurring monthly schedule. These are appointment-based visits, not drop-in hours.

    • Location: Everett Vet Center, 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 207, Everett, WA 98208
    • Best for: Existing VA benefits questions, claim status checks, eligibility questions, help understanding a decision letter
    • How to schedule: Call the Everett Vet Center to confirm the next VBA visit date and reserve a slot
    • Cost: Free

    If your situation is straightforward — you need to ask a clarifying question about a recent claim, you got a decision letter you don’t fully understand, you want to confirm whether something qualifies for an appeal — the monthly VBA visit is often the right first call.

    Option 2: VFW Department of Washington — Everett Office (Suite 101, same building)

    Veterans who specifically want a VFW-accredited Service Officer experience can still get one in the same building, just downstairs. The VFW Department of Washington maintains a Service Officer presence at 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 101 — one suite over on the ground floor of the same complex that houses the Vet Center.

    • Location: 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 101, Everett, WA 98208
    • Phone: (425) 740-2706
    • Best for: Filing a new VA disability claim, preparing an appeal, getting an accredited VSO to represent you
    • How to schedule: Call ahead. The VFW operates by appointment as a rule
    • Cost: Free; no VFW membership requirement to receive accredited claims help

    For veterans who started a claim with a VFW VSO, who already have a VFW representative on file with VA, or who simply prefer working with a veteran-led service organization, this is the most direct continuity.

    Option 3: Snohomish County Veterans Assistance Program

    Snohomish County operates its own Veterans Assistance Program out of the Drewel Building on the county campus in downtown Everett. This is a county-funded program separate from VA, and it is the Swiss Army knife of veteran help in this county. The Veterans Assistance Program has accredited staff who help veterans and dependents file VA claims, file appeals, request rating upgrades, and navigate emergency financial assistance, food assistance, homelessness services, and senior or disabled veteran case management.

    • Address: Snohomish County Campus, 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, Lower Level, Drewel Building (Administration Building East), Everett, WA 98201
    • Intake line: 425-388-7255
    • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    • Best for: Veterans who need claims help PLUS another type of support (utility assistance, emergency vouchers, housing help, food, employment support, or case management)
    • Cost: Free for eligible Snohomish County veterans and dependents

    If your situation is layered — say, you’re trying to file a disability claim while also dealing with an eviction notice or a utility shutoff — the County program is built for exactly that. They can do both pieces in one visit instead of sending you to three different offices.

    Counseling at the Vet Center is unchanged

    It’s worth restating clearly because the schedule change can be confusing. The Everett Vet Center still does what Vet Centers across the country are designed to do: confidential, no-cost readjustment counseling.

    Services available there continue to include individual counseling for combat-related PTSD, depression, and anxiety; military sexual trauma counseling; couples and family counseling with licensed marriage and family therapists onsite; bereavement counseling for survivors of service members who died on active duty; substance use disorder referrals; and group programs including art therapy, meditation, and Vietnam veteran groups.

    Eligibility is broad. Veterans and current service members do not need to be enrolled in VA health care to use the Vet Center. They do not need a service-connected disability rating. Family members of eligible veterans, and surviving family members of service members who died on active duty, also qualify.

    The Vet Center building itself still has a large, well-lit parking area in front, and is on regular Community Transit lines. The phone is (425) 252-9701 during business hours and 877-927-8387 for the 24/7 national Vet Center Call Center.

    What to bring to a claims appointment

    Whichever of the three options above you choose, the appointment goes faster and the chance of getting an answer that day goes up if you bring documentation. A short checklist:

    • DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), or DD-215 if amended
    • A photo ID
    • Any VA decision letters you have received (denials, ratings, appeal responses)
    • A list of medical conditions you believe are connected to service, with approximate dates of onset
    • Names and locations of any military or VA medical providers who treated the conditions
    • Any buddy statements or lay evidence you have already gathered
    • For survivors: a copy of the DD-1300 (Casualty Report) or VA dependency decision

    A VSO or VBA representative cannot guarantee the outcome of a claim. What they can do is make sure the claim is filed correctly, that the right evidence is attached, and that nothing on the form leaves money on the table.

    A note on online and phone options

    Not every veteran needs an in-person appointment. The VA has invested heavily in the va.gov claims portal, and many straightforward filings — initial disability claims, supplemental claims, increased rating requests, dependency adjustments, secondary claims — can be filed entirely online by the veteran or by a representative on the veteran’s behalf.

    For veterans who are comfortable with the technology, the online path is usually the fastest. For veterans who want a person, want a second set of eyes on the form, or have a complicated situation involving an existing rating or appeal — the in-person options above are the right move.

    The 24/7 VA Benefits hotline is 800-827-1000. The 24/7 Veterans Crisis Line is dial 988, then press 1, or text 838255. Both are free and confidential.

    The bottom line for north Snohomish County veterans

    Nothing about the February 2026 change at the Everett Vet Center reduces the benefits a veteran is entitled to. It is a process change, not a benefits change. The accredited help is still in the county; it just sits in three places now instead of one. If you’re starting a new claim, the VFW office in Suite 101 of the same Vet Center building is the most direct path. If you have an existing claim or decision letter and need a quick conversation with VA staff, the monthly VBA visit at the Vet Center — by appointment — is the right call. If you need claims help plus any other kind of support, Snohomish County’s Veterans Assistance Program at 3000 Rockefeller is built to handle both at the same time.

    The Everett Vet Center itself is still what it has always been: the place to walk in for confidential counseling. That door is still open Monday through Friday.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Did the Everett Vet Center close?

    No. The Vet Center at 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 207 remains open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for counseling and family support services. What changed is that VFW Veterans Service Officers no longer hold weekday office hours inside the building. Counseling, group programs, and family services are unchanged.

    Where do I go now if I need to file a VA disability claim in Everett?

    Three good options: schedule an appointment with a VFW Veterans Service Officer at 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 101 (call 425-740-2706); request an appointment with VBA staff during their monthly visit to the Everett Vet Center; or visit the Snohomish County Veterans Assistance Program at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue (call 425-388-7255). All three are free.

    Do I have to be a VFW member to use the VFW Service Officer?

    No. Accredited Veterans Service Officers — whether they work for VFW, American Legion, DAV, or another Veterans Service Organization — provide claims help at no cost to any eligible veteran, regardless of membership.

    How often does VBA staff visit the Everett Vet Center?

    The Vet Center’s current public information says monthly. Specific dates and slot availability vary, so the Everett Vet Center recommends calling to confirm the next visit date before you go. Call (425) 252-9701 during business hours.

    Can the Snohomish County Veterans Assistance Program help with more than just claims?

    Yes. In addition to VA claims and appeals support, the program offers emergency financial assistance, emergency vouchers, housing and homelessness services, case management, alcohol and drug referrals, senior and disabled veteran services, incarcerated veteran outreach, and employment support. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, lower level of the Drewel Building.

    Is there an after-hours number if I’m in crisis?

    Yes. The Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7: dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. The Vet Center Call Center is also 24/7 at 877-927-8387. Both are free and confidential.

    Will counseling at the Vet Center cost me anything?

    No. Vet Center readjustment counseling is provided at no cost to eligible veterans, current service members, and family members. Eligibility does not require VA health care enrollment or a service-connected disability rating.