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Tag: Everett

  • S3 Maritime Opens at Waterfront Place — What Another Marine Services Tenant Means for Everett’s Marina

    S3 Maritime Opens at Waterfront Place — What Another Marine Services Tenant Means for Everett’s Marina

    What’s happening? S3 Maritime, a Seattle-based full-service marine installation, maintenance, and repair company, opened its fifth service center in early March 2026 at the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place. The new facility occupies over 2,600 square feet of office and retail space at 1205 Craftsman Way, Suite 107, with access to the boat yard and moorage. S3 Maritime joins 18-plus marine service providers already operating at the largest public marina on the West Coast.

    If you’ve been walking the Waterfront Place promenade this spring and noticed a new marine services banner up at the Waterfront Center building, that’s S3 Maritime — and it represents a specific kind of tenant that doesn’t get the headlines the way a flashy new restaurant does, but arguably matters more to how Everett’s marina economy actually works.

    We stopped by the Craftsman District earlier this month to see the new facility and figure out what the addition changes for local boaters.

    Who S3 Maritime Is

    S3 Maritime is a Seattle-based marine services company that has been quietly expanding up the I-5 corridor for almost two decades. The company’s timeline:

    • 2007 — Opened in Seattle
    • 2007–present — Operates two service centers in the Ballard area
    • 2021 — Opened a dedicated Anacortes facility
    • 2025 — Expanded to a second Anacortes facility
    • March 2026 — Opened the Everett location at Waterfront Place

    Everett is the company’s fifth marine service center. The Port of Everett Commission authorized the three-year lease in mid-January 2026, and the facility went operational in early March.

    What They Do

    S3 Maritime is a full-service shop — not specialists in one narrow service. The company’s slate of capabilities:

    • Electrical systems
    • Electronics installation and service
    • Engine and mechanical work
    • HVAC systems on recreational vessels
    • Hydraulics
    • Metal fabrication
    • Paint and fiberglass work
    • Water systems
    • Yard services

    The team is also highly mobile, meaning they can meet boat owners at the vessel when an in-yard visit isn’t practical.

    “We are excited to join the Port of Everett and become part of this dynamic waterfront community,” Kalin Tobin, S3 Maritime’s General Manager, said in the Port’s announcement. “This expansion reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable marine services to a broader customer base while investing in the long-term maritime infrastructure of the region.”

    The Space at Waterfront Place

    The new facility occupies over 2,600 square feet in the Waterfront Center building at 1205 Craftsman Way, Suite 107, in the Craftsman District of Waterfront Place. The lease gives S3 Maritime:

    • Office and retail frontage
    • Access to the boat yard
    • Access to moorage

    For recreational vessel owners, the location matters as much as the square footage. Having a full-service shop physically inside the marina complex — rather than across town — means shorter wait times when a boat needs to be hauled, serviced, and relaunched.

    Why Another Marine Services Tenant Matters

    The Waterfront Place headlines tend to go to restaurants and housing. But the marine services side of the marina economy is what keeps the 2,300 permanent slips and 5,000 lineal feet of guest moorage actually usable.

    There are now 18-plus marine service providers operating at the Port of Everett’s marina. With each new addition, the marina gets closer to a true “one-stop” destination where a boat owner doesn’t have to trailer the vessel somewhere else for major work.

    Jeff Lindhout, the Port’s Chief of Marina Operations, framed it this way in the Port’s announcement: “S3 Maritime is a strong addition to the Port of Everett’s marine-related business community, expanding local access to vessel maintenance, repair, and custom services while supporting continued economic activity on the waterfront.”

    For the Port’s business model, marine services tenants do something restaurants don’t — they attract and retain boat owners who pay slip fees year-round. That’s the recurring revenue that funds the 2026 capital budget’s $7.1 million in marina maintenance and preservation work.

    The Marina Context

    A few numbers worth carrying in your head when thinking about how S3 Maritime fits:

    • 2,300 permanent slips at the Port of Everett marina
    • 5,000 lineal feet of guest moorage for transient boaters
    • 18+ marine service providers already operating on-site
    • New fuel dock — opened in 2025, adding fueling capacity
    • Largest public marina on the West Coast by slip count
    • $1 million RCO grant secured for Jetty Landing Boat Launch renovation — Washington State’s largest public boat launch — with in-water construction targeted for 2027
    • 90+ waterfront events per year held at Waterfront Place

    The marina isn’t just a storage facility. It’s a regional maritime hub, and adding service capacity makes the math work for the Port’s long-term Waterfront Place vision of $1 billion in total investment, 2,100 projected jobs, and 1.5 million square feet of mixed-use development.

    The Strategic Location Angle

    S3 Maritime’s General Manager specifically mentioned the I-5 corridor in the Port’s announcement, and the geographic logic is worth unpacking. With service centers in:

    • Seattle (2 locations, Ballard)
    • Anacortes (2 locations)
    • Everett (new)

    The company now has service points anchoring both ends of the major Puget Sound recreational boating area, plus a midpoint. For a boat owner cruising between the San Juans and Seattle, there’s now a service option along the entire route. That’s a meaningful competitive advantage in a service industry where response time and proximity often determine which shop gets the work.

    What This Means If You Own a Boat at the Everett Marina

    A few practical implications:

    • More service competition — more providers at the marina typically means faster scheduling and more competitive pricing
    • Reduced travel for major service — fewer reasons to trailer a vessel to another marina for specialized work
    • Mobile availability — S3 Maritime’s mobile team means the shop can come to your slip for many service needs
    • Broader expertise — the nine-category service list covers most of what a recreational vessel owner will need over a boat’s lifetime

    For boat buyers considering a slip at Everett versus another Puget Sound marina, the density of on-site service providers is starting to tilt the math.

    What to Watch Next at Waterfront Place

    S3 Maritime is one tenant announcement in a longer pipeline. The Port’s 2026 budget includes $2.6 million specifically for new retail and restaurant buildings and public access improvements, and Phase 2 of the buildout — the Millwright District — is scheduled to open beginning in 2026.

    Expect more tenant announcements through the year. Marine services, food and beverage, retail, and office tenants are all on the Port’s target list as the remaining 63,000 square feet of retail/restaurant space and 447,500 square feet of office space gets built out over the next several years.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where is S3 Maritime located at the Port of Everett? 1205 Craftsman Way, Suite 107, Everett WA 98201 — in the Waterfront Center building in the Craftsman District of Waterfront Place.

    What services does S3 Maritime provide? Full-service marine installation, maintenance, and repair including electrical, electronics, engine and mechanical, HVAC, hydraulics, metal fabrication, paint and fiberglass, water systems, and yard services. The team is also highly mobile.

    When did S3 Maritime open in Everett? The Port of Everett Commission authorized a three-year lease in mid-January 2026, and S3 Maritime opened the Everett facility in early March 2026.

    How many marine service providers operate at the Port of Everett’s marina? There are now 18 or more marine service providers at the marina, which is the largest public marina on the West Coast.

    How big is the Port of Everett’s marina? The marina has 2,300 permanent slips and 5,000 lineal feet of guest moorage. A new fuel dock opened in 2025.

    Is S3 Maritime a Seattle company? Yes. S3 Maritime opened in Seattle in 2007 and maintains two service centers in the Ballard area, two in Anacortes, and now a fifth in Everett.

    Who can I contact at S3 Maritime? The General Manager is Kalin Tobin. For current contact information, the Port of Everett’s public affairs team can be reached at publicaffairs@portofeverett.com.

  • Everett’s Downtown Stadium Faces Its Biggest Vote Yet: $10.6M Design Funding Goes to Council April 29

    Everett’s Downtown Stadium Faces Its Biggest Vote Yet: $10.6M Design Funding Goes to Council April 29

    What’s happening? Everett city staff are asking the city council to approve an additional $10.6 million in spending on the downtown stadium, a funding measure that would complete the design of the site. The council vote is scheduled for April 29, 2026. City staff told the council on April 15 that the $120 million project still has a $25 million funding gap, and the stadium’s expected opening has been pushed from April 2027 to late 2027.

    If you’ve been following the downtown stadium story, April 29 is the date to circle. That’s when the Everett City Council is expected to vote on a $10.6 million funding measure that city staff described this week as the most significant decision the council will make on the project to date.

    We watched Wednesday night’s council presentation from project manager Scott Pattison and consultant Ben Franz, and the headline is simple: the stadium is moving forward, but the financial picture is getting bigger and the timeline is slipping.

    What the $10.6M Would Pay For

    The new funding request would do two things. First, it would complete the design of the Outdoor Event Center, which has already hit roughly 60 percent design completion using the $7.2 million the city has already committed in capital funds. Second, it would continue property acquisition work on the stadium site.

    On the property side, the city needs to buy 15 parcels to build the stadium at the corner of Broadway and Pacific, right next to the Sounder rail line and just east of Angel of the Winds Arena. As of Wednesday, the city has:

    • Signed purchase agreements for 2 parcels
    • Pending agreements with 4 more
    • Active negotiations with the owners of 8 others
    • Zero parcels actually purchased outright (that only happens after the council approves construction)

    The money itself wouldn’t come from new revenue. The city would get the $10.6 million through an interfund loan from its general fund balance, with the plan to repay it later when the city passes a stadium bond measure.

    Here’s the catch Franz acknowledged on Wednesday: if the council approves the $10.6 million loan but later doesn’t approve a stadium bond to pay it back, it could mean a loss of at least $4.8 million in general fund dollars. Some property acquisition money could be reclaimed if the project falls apart, but the design work is sunk cost.

    The $25 Million Gap the City Still Has to Close

    The stadium is not yet fully funded. Not by a long shot.

    When the city first asked for the initial $4.8 million in June 2025, the project was pegged at $82 million. By the council’s January retreat, that number had grown to $120 million, driven by rising property acquisition costs and construction cost inflation. The city’s direct capital contributions to the project currently make up about 8 percent of the stadium’s total cost. Staff said Wednesday that the project is about $25 million short of its $120 million budget.

    Here’s the funding picture as it stands right now:

    • Stadium bond (planned): More than $40 million, repaid through lease revenue from the teams
    • State youth athletic fields fund: $7.4 million
    • Snohomish County contribution: $5 million spread across 2027-2030
    • AquaSox and USL team upfront commitment: $17 million
    • AquaSox and USL team lease payments: About $100 million over 30 years
    • City direct capital (already spent): ~$7.2 million
    • Gap to close: ~$25 million

    Franz told the council that filling the gap could involve “a number of options, including some very unique public-private partnerships,” but said he couldn’t share specifics. He also mentioned a federal loan program that distributes funds to economic development projects near rail infrastructure as a possibility — the favorable interest rate would be attractive, but the application process is long.

    “The more upfront capital we’re able to secure, the less debt the city has to issue,” Franz said after the meeting. “And that’s the piece we’re balancing, which is why we can’t sit here today and say, ‘Here’s the full funding plan.’”

    The Stadium Itself: What’s in the Design

    Contractors and architects showed the council initial design work Wednesday. The stadium would feature:

    • 5,000 seats
    • A clubhouse area that can be used for non-game events
    • An artificial turf field
    • A perimeter walking area
    • A main entrance where Wall Street meets Broadway

    The project is being delivered through a progressive design-build process, meaning the contractor — DLR Group with Bayley Construction — is designing the stadium alongside the architects rather than after. If the full project gets approved, the contractor would be locked in at a guaranteed price.

    The goal, according to Franz, is to break ground in September 2026. The previous target of opening for the AquaSox’s 2027 season is no longer realistic — the new opening window is late 2027.

    What the Teams Are Bringing

    Both the Everett AquaSox and the United Soccer League have now agreed to the financial terms of a lease, according to Franz. The key numbers:

    • $17 million upfront — combined team contribution toward construction
    • ~$100 million in lease payments over 30 years
    • Day-to-day maintenance responsibility falls to the teams
    • City staffing commitment: likely one employee to oversee operations
    • 50 guaranteed days per year for the city to host its own events or lease to other groups

    Once the bonds are paid off, the lease revenue flows into the city’s general fund.

    Mayor Cassie Franklin noted at Wednesday’s meeting that the maintenance arrangement is a significant win for the city — major capital repairs and upgrades remain the city’s responsibility, but the teams handle operations.

    The USL Piece That’s Still Unresolved

    Before the United Soccer League’s portion of the money can flow, the league still needs to find an owner or ownership group to actually buy the Everett men’s and women’s teams. Pattison said Wednesday in an interview that the league has “two or three people that are interested.”

    A USL spokesperson didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

    For context, franchise fees in the USL ecosystem run roughly:

    • USL League One team: ~$5 million (per ESPN reporting)
    • USL Championship team: ~$20 million
    • USL Super League (women’s professional) team: ~$10 million (per Backheeled and The Athletic)

    The league’s ownership search could affect the stadium’s timeline. “It really depends on where they are in the process, and where we are in overall readiness to start construction,” Franz said. “We have commitments to the AquaSox that we want to meet at this point. Our goal is to start construction in September, and so we’ll work diligently with them together to meet that.”

    Why This Project Started in the First Place

    Everett first began studying a stadium upgrade in 2022 after Major League Baseball announced new facility standards for minor league stadiums. Funko Field, in its current state, doesn’t meet those requirements. In 2024, the AquaSox’s owner said the city was in danger of losing the team. Later that year, the council decided to study a downtown site — partly because a downtown location could unlock more public and private funding than a rebuild at Funko Field.

    The stadium has become, effectively, the signature piece of Everett’s downtown revitalization strategy. It anchors development plans next to Angel of the Winds Arena, the Sounder station, and the Millwright District’s growing footprint on the waterfront.

    The Calendar From Here

    Three dates worth writing down:

    • April 29, 2026 — City council vote on the $10.6 million funding measure
    • July 2026 — Target for completing a full funding plan
    • August 2026 — Expected council vote on approving stadium construction
    • September 2026 — Target date to break ground
    • Late 2027 — Revised stadium opening

    The April 29 vote does not commit the city to building the stadium. But it does commit $10.6 million — with real financial consequences if the project doesn’t move forward later.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When does the Everett City Council vote on the $10.6 million stadium funding? The vote is scheduled for April 29, 2026. It would complete the design of the Outdoor Event Center and continue work on acquiring the 15 parcels needed to build the stadium.

    How much is the Everett stadium projected to cost? The current cost estimate is $120 million, up from an initial estimate of $82 million in June 2025. The city is about $25 million short of the full budget.

    When will the downtown stadium open? City staff have pushed the opening from April 2027 to late 2027. The new target is to break ground in September 2026.

    Who would play at the Everett Outdoor Event Center? The Everett AquaSox (Seattle Mariners High-A minor league baseball) and two new United Soccer League teams — a men’s team and a women’s team — if the USL finds ownership groups to buy them.

    Where will the new Everett stadium be located? At the corner of Broadway and Pacific, east of Angel of the Winds Arena and next to the Sounder rail line. The main entrance is planned for where Wall Street meets Broadway.

    What happens if the stadium project doesn’t get approved? At least $4.8 million of the $10.6 million loan could be lost. Some property acquisition money might be recoverable if the city backs out of purchases, but design work is a sunk cost.

    Who is designing and building the stadium? DLR Group and Bayley Construction are delivering the project through a progressive design-build process, where the contractor is working alongside the architects during design.

  • Everett’s New Edgewater Bridge Adds Bike Lanes and Sidewalks for the First Time: What Cyclists and Pedestrians Need to Know

    Everett’s New Edgewater Bridge Adds Bike Lanes and Sidewalks for the First Time: What Cyclists and Pedestrians Need to Know

  • Edgewater Bridge Opens April 28: What Boeing and Paine Field Commuters Need to Know About the Restored Mukilteo Corridor

    Edgewater Bridge Opens April 28: What Boeing and Paine Field Commuters Need to Know About the Restored Mukilteo Corridor

  • FIFA World Cup Watch Parties at Boxcar Park: What Everett Waterfront Businesses and Vendors Need to Know

    FIFA World Cup Watch Parties at Boxcar Park: What Everett Waterfront Businesses and Vendors Need to Know

  • Your Neighborhood’s World Cup Moment: What Everett Residents Need to Know About the June Waterfront Watch Parties

    Your Neighborhood’s World Cup Moment: What Everett Residents Need to Know About the June Waterfront Watch Parties

  • What the Constellation Cancellation Means for Military Families at Naval Station Everett

    What the Constellation Cancellation Means for Military Families at Naval Station Everett

    If you’re a military family stationed at Naval Station Everett — or planning a PCS move there — the Navy’s cancellation of the Constellation-class frigate program has direct implications for your day-to-day planning and the community you’re moving into.

    The short version: base operations are unchanged, your current assignment is unaffected, but the growth trajectory the community expected — more housing, more services, more military-family resources — is deferred indefinitely.

    What the Cancellation Actually Does (and Doesn’t Do)

    The Navy canceled four of the six Constellation-class frigates already under contract in November 2025. Two ships — USS Constellation and USS Congress — continue construction in Wisconsin, with delivery projected no earlier than 2029. No homeporting commitment for those two ships has been made.

    What this means practically: the 2,900 additional sailors and civilian personnel projected by the Navy’s own environmental study are not coming — at least not on the timeline that was anticipated. NAVSTA Everett continues with its current operational footprint. Ships deploy and return. The base runs normally.

    Housing: What Changes

    Military housing in and around NAVSTA Everett — both on-base and off-base in the surrounding Mukilteo, Everett, and Lynnwood areas — had been expected to face increased demand as 2,900 new personnel arrived. That pressure is now reduced. For families currently looking for off-base housing, this is arguably good news: competition for rental properties and starter homes near the base will not spike the way it might have under the expansion scenario.

    On-base housing managed by Lincoln Military Housing serves NAVSTA Everett. Availability varies by rank and family size — the wait list situation that a 2,900-person influx would have created is now less likely. Families expecting a long wait for on-base housing may find the situation slightly less constrained.

    Schools: Everett School District and Military Families

    Everett School District (ESD) schools serving areas near NAVSTA Everett — including schools in Mukilteo and north Everett — had been expecting enrollment growth tied to the frigate homeporting. That enrollment growth projection is now removed. For families PCS-ing to the area, this means school availability should be less pressured than it might have been in a 2,900-person growth scenario.

    The Mukilteo School District (which serves much of the area immediately surrounding the base) has strong academic programming. Everett School District serves students living in Everett proper. Both districts have experience serving military families with PCS timelines, mid-year enrollments, and frequent school transitions.

    The Community Services Question

    Military family services — childcare, Fleet and Family Support Center programs, commissary, NEX — at NAVSTA Everett are sized to the current population. The planned frigate expansion had created expectations of increased investment in base services to serve a larger population. Those service expansions are now on hold.

    The off-base community has also been investing in anticipation of growth — the city’s Outdoor Event Center (400,000 projected annual visitors), the waterfront redevelopment, new restaurants and retail in the downtown Broadway District. These investments continue, driven by the broader Everett growth story rather than military expansion specifically.

    Long-Term Base Stability: The Honest Assessment

    Military families understandably want to know: Is NAVSTA Everett stable? The honest answer is yes — with a caveat. The base survived the 2005 BRAC process, when it came close to being recommended for closure, only through sustained advocacy by Rep. Larsen, state leaders, and local business groups. The frigate cancellation weakens the strategic expansion argument, but doesn’t remove Everett’s geographic and infrastructure advantages for Pacific Fleet operations.

    Rep. Larsen has already begun advocating for Everett as the homeport for replacement vessels under whatever program follows the Constellation. The Navy’s stated replacement concept (based on the Coast Guard’s Legend-class cutter design) is not yet in active procurement, but Larsen’s early engagement suggests Everett will be positioned as a candidate when homeporting decisions are made.

    Frequently Asked Questions — For Military Families

    Is NAVSTA Everett safe from closure?

    No BRAC process is currently active, and NAVSTA Everett is not on any closure list. The base survived the last major BRAC round (2005) and remains strategically important for Pacific Fleet operations. The Constellation cancellation reduces planned expansion but doesn’t threaten current operations. Congressional advocates — primarily Rep. Rick Larsen — remain active in supporting the base’s strategic case.

    Are PCS moves to NAVSTA Everett still happening normally?

    Yes. PCS orders to NAVSTA Everett continue normally. The cancellation doesn’t affect current ship assignments, deployment schedules, or personnel management at the base. If you have orders to Everett, nothing about the Constellation cancellation changes your reporting situation.

    What is the off-base housing market like near NAVSTA Everett in 2026?

    The Mukilteo and north Everett rental and housing market near the base is moderately tight but significantly more affordable than Seattle or Bellevue. Average monthly rents for a 3-bedroom in the Mukilteo/Everett area run in the $2,200-$2,800 range. The cancellation of the 2,900-sailor expansion reduces anticipated demand pressure on this market. BAH rates for E-5 and above with dependents in the Seattle/Everett area cover most of the market effectively.

    What schools serve families near NAVSTA Everett?

    The Mukilteo School District serves most of the area immediately surrounding the base — highly rated schools with strong STEM programs. Everett School District serves Everett city proper. Both have military-family liaison resources and experience with mid-year enrollment from PCS transfers. Contact the specific district for School Liaison Officer information before your arrival.

    Related Exploring Everett coverage: Navy Cancels Constellation Frigate Program — Full Story

  • Everett Civic Watch: The Constellation Cancellation, BRAC Risk, and What Comes Next for NAVSTA

    Everett Civic Watch: The Constellation Cancellation, BRAC Risk, and What Comes Next for NAVSTA

    For Everett’s civic watchers — residents who follow city hall, attend council meetings, and pay attention to the economic forces shaping Snohomish County — the Navy’s cancellation of the Constellation-class frigate program deserves more attention than it’s received locally.

    The frigate cancellation isn’t just a defense acquisition story. It’s a direct hit to Everett’s long-term economic planning assumptions, its relationship with the federal government, and its strategic argument in any future Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.

    What Was Planned — and What’s Gone

    In 2021, the Navy formally designated Naval Station Everett as the future homeport for 12 Constellation-class guided-missile frigates. A 2024 Navy environmental impact study was conducted — and cleared — for homeporting 12 frigates at Everett, projecting a net addition of 2,900 sailors and civilian personnel to Snohomish County.

    That 2,900-person expansion represented tens of millions of dollars in annual payroll entering the Snohomish County economy, increased demand for housing and services, and a strategic argument for continued federal investment in NAVSTA Everett infrastructure.

    Navy Secretary Phelan’s November 2025 cancellation of the program removes all of it from the planning horizon — replaced by uncertainty about whether even the two remaining ships will homeport here.

    The BRAC Question

    BRAC — Base Realignment and Closure — is the periodic federal process by which the Department of Defense evaluates military installations for consolidation or closure. The last major BRAC round was 2005; Congress must authorize any new round.

    NAVSTA Everett has been through this before. In 2005, the base came within a recommendation of being placed on the closure list. Local leaders, Rep. Larsen, and state officials mounted a significant advocacy campaign — and the base survived. The argument that carried the day: NAVSTA Everett’s geographic location (direct Pacific access, deep-water port) is irreplaceable and its infrastructure is modern.

    The frigate cancellation weakens that argument by removing the planned growth that would have reinforced Everett’s strategic importance. Ray Stephanson, Economic Alliance Snohomish County president, has flagged this risk explicitly. A base that was supposed to grow to 12 new frigates and 2,900 new personnel is a different BRAC calculus than a base that maintains its current footprint without a clear growth mandate.

    Rep. Larsen’s Strategy

    Rep. Larsen, who represents Washington’s 2nd Congressional District and has been NAVSTA Everett’s primary congressional champion for over two decades, has been methodical in his response to the cancellation. He’s not fighting the cancellation itself — that fight is over. Instead, he’s positioning Everett for the replacement program.

    Larsen has stated publicly that Everett’s geographic advantage — “one of the closest locations to the Pacific Ocean” — makes it the logical homeport for whatever ship class the Navy deploys to replace the Constellation. The replacement concept (Coast Guard Legend-class cutter derivative, targeting 2028 delivery) hasn’t entered formal procurement, but Larsen’s early public positioning suggests he’s laying groundwork for the next homeporting fight.

    Local Budget and Tax Base Implications

    The federal government doesn’t pay property taxes, but military installations drive significant local economic activity that does generate tax revenue. The projected 2,900-person expansion would have increased sales tax receipts, housing market activity, business revenues, and utility revenues across Snohomish County. That fiscal tailwind is now removed from projections.

    Everett’s city budget relies heavily on sales tax, B&O tax, and utility revenue. The city has been investing in downtown redevelopment, the waterfront, and the proposed Outdoor Event Center (400,000 annual visitors projected) — these projects are driven by the broader Everett growth story, not military expansion specifically. But the removal of the military expansion scenario creates a more conservative growth trajectory for the north end of the county.

    Frequently Asked Questions — For Civic Watchers

    Could NAVSTA Everett be closed in a future BRAC?

    Any base can be evaluated in a BRAC process if Congress authorizes one. The 2005 round brought Everett close to a closure recommendation — the base survived through geographic and strategic arguments. The Constellation cancellation weakens the expansion case but doesn’t change Everett’s core strategic geography. No BRAC has been authorized since 2005; Congress has resisted multiple Administration requests for new BRAC rounds.

    How much does NAVSTA Everett contribute to Snohomish County’s economy?

    NAVSTA Everett’s annual economic impact to Snohomish County has been estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars, counting direct payroll, contractor spending, and multiplier effects from military family spending in the local economy. The base supports approximately 10,000 military and civilian personnel in the region. The projected Constellation expansion would have added tens of millions annually above that baseline.

    Who advocates for Naval Station Everett in Washington D.C.?

    Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA-2) is NAVSTA Everett’s primary congressional advocate. Sen. Maria Cantwell and Sen. Patty Murray have both supported the base in appropriations. Locally, the Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) and Snohomish County government coordinate advocacy through the county’s federal affairs program.

    What does the Navy’s replacement frigate program mean for Everett?

    The Navy has announced a replacement concept based on the Coast Guard Legend-class cutter design, targeting 2028 delivery. No homeporting decisions have been made. Rep. Larsen has publicly positioned Everett as the logical homeport given its Pacific access and infrastructure. Whether that advocacy succeeds depends on Pentagon force structure decisions not yet made.

    Related Exploring Everett coverage: Full story: Navy Cancels Constellation Frigate Program | Military Families at NAVSTA Everett: What Changes

  • For Boeing Workers in Everett: What the 737 North Line Launch Means for Your Career

    For Boeing Workers in Everett: What the 737 North Line Launch Means for Your Career

    If you work at Boeing’s Everett campus — or you’re trying to get there — the North Line changes your calculus this summer.

    Boeing is opening its first-ever 737 MAX production line in Everett in summer 2026. For Everett-area aerospace workers, that means new positions, internal transfer opportunities, and a second major production program running alongside widebody assembly on the same campus.

    What’s Actually Opening — and When

    The North Line is a 737 MAX final assembly line inside the Everett factory. It will initially build 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 jets, with MAX 10 capability once FAA certification clears (still pending as of April 2026). Boeing is targeting midsummer 2026 for first production in Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) — a deliberately slowed build phase where additional quality checks are layered in before full production speed.

    Boeing posted shift manager and production management job listings for the North Line in January 2026. Hourly IAM-covered production positions have been posted through the spring. If you’ve missed the first wave of postings, watch jobs.boeing.com — North Line hiring will continue as the line scales up.

    Transfer vs. New Hire — What’s the Mix

    Boeing has been explicit: North Line staffing is a combination of newly hired employees and existing Boeing workers transferring from Renton, Everett’s own campus, and Moses Lake. If you’re already at Everett working widebody programs (787, 777X), internal transfer opportunities to the North Line are real — especially for workers with experience in flow-based final assembly.

    New hires go through 12 weeks of Foundational Training — currently conducted in Renton — before returning to Everett for Structured On-the-Job Training (SOJT) paired with experienced workers. That 12-week window is a significant time commitment to plan around if you have family logistics tied to Everett.

    IAM 751 Coverage

    North Line production jobs are IAM District 751 positions, covered under the collective bargaining agreement between Boeing and the International Association of Machinists. District 751 represents approximately 30,000 Boeing production workers in the Puget Sound area. The 2024 strike — which lasted nearly two months and cost Boeing an estimated $5 billion — was resolved with a contract that included 38% wage increases over four years. North Line hires come in under that contract.

    If you’re not already an IAM member and land a North Line production job, you’ll join 751 as part of employment. The union maintains a training center in Everett that supports members through career development, apprenticeships, and tool-use certifications relevant to aircraft assembly work.

    The Commute Picture

    The Everett campus sits off SR-526 near Paine Field, accessible from I-5 exits 189 and 186. Workers commuting from south Snohomish or north King County face the same SR-526/I-5 interchange congestion that widebody workers deal with — no change there. Workers transferring from Renton will cut their commute significantly: Renton to Everett is typically 40-60 minutes north on I-405 in morning traffic, versus driving south into the Renton complex.

    Community Transit operates routes serving the Paine Field area, and Everett Station (at Smith Ave and Wetmore) is the Sound Transit rail hub for workers using Sounder North or connecting buses. Boeing’s campus shuttle system connects Everett Station to the main factory gates.

    What the North Line Means for Everett-Area Aerospace Long-Term

    The North Line’s most important signal isn’t just the jobs it creates — it’s what it says about Boeing’s commitment to the Everett campus. After years of uncertainty about the 777X program (still in final certification), rumors of production consolidation, and the disruption of the 2024 strike, adding a second production program to Everett is a counter-signal. Boeing is expanding in Everett, not contracting.

    For workers in the Paine Field aerospace ecosystem — that includes Spirit AeroSystems (fuselage supplier), Ducommun, Safran Cabin, and dozens of smaller suppliers with Everett-area operations — a Boeing production expansion means more contract work flowing through the supply chain, more local sourcing demand, and more stability in the Snohomish County aerospace economy.

    Frequently Asked Questions — For Boeing Workers

    Can current Everett Boeing employees transfer to the North Line?

    Yes. Boeing is staffing the North Line with a mix of transfers from existing Everett, Renton, and Moses Lake operations and new external hires. Check internal Boeing job boards for transfer postings; the process follows standard internal mobility procedures under the IAM collective bargaining agreement.

    What positions are being hired for on the 737 North Line in Everett?

    Initial postings included production shift managers and supervisors (salaried). Hourly IAM-covered positions span the assembly flow: installers, electricians, quality inspectors, and flow day specialists. Postings appear at jobs.boeing.com — search “North Line Everett” or “737 Everett.”

    Do North Line workers train in Renton first?

    New hires complete a 12-week Foundational Training program, currently based in Renton, before beginning Structured On-the-Job Training in Everett. The Renton training period replicates the 737 assembly flow so workers understand the full process before building at the North Line. Internal transfers may have modified training requirements depending on experience.

    Is the North Line covered by IAM District 751?

    Yes. All North Line production positions are covered under the IAM District 751 collective bargaining agreement — the same contract covering 737 workers in Renton and widebody workers in Everett. The 2024 contract includes 38% wage increases over four years.

    What is the North Line’s production target?

    The North Line is designed to contribute to Boeing’s overall 737 MAX production target of above 47 aircraft per month after full integration. The line starts in Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) and scales up over time. The FAA currently caps total 737 MAX production at 38 aircraft per month as part of an ongoing safety oversight agreement.

    Related Exploring Everett coverage: Boeing’s 737 North Line Is Coming to Everett This Summer

  • Moving to Everett? Boeing’s New 737 Line Is a Big Reason the Job Market Here Just Got Stronger

    Moving to Everett? Boeing’s New 737 Line Is a Big Reason the Job Market Here Just Got Stronger

    If you’re considering relocating to the Everett area, Boeing’s announcement that it’s opening its first-ever 737 production line here this summer is a concrete data point about where this city’s economy is headed.

    The 737 North Line — a new assembly line opening at Boeing’s Everett factory campus in summer 2026 — adds hundreds of jobs to a campus that already employs over 30,000 people. For anyone evaluating Everett as a place to live and work, that context matters.

    Everett and Boeing: The Relationship That Defines the City

    Boeing has been the dominant economic force in Snohomish County for over 50 years. The Everett factory campus, off SR-526 near Paine Field, is the largest building by volume in the world. It’s been the final assembly site for the 747, 767, 777, 787 Dreamliner, and now the 777X — Boeing’s widebody jets. The plant, plus the aerospace supply chain that orbits it, employs a substantial share of Snohomish County’s workforce directly and supports tens of thousands more in indirect jobs.

    The North Line adds something new to that mix: 737 MAX narrowbody production, which has historically been Renton’s domain. Bringing 737 assembly to Everett effectively diversifies the campus’s production portfolio and deepens the city’s dependency on — but also its value to — Boeing’s broader manufacturing strategy.

    What This Means for the Job Market

    Direct North Line jobs — production assemblers, electricians, inspectors, quality workers, shift supervisors — are the most visible impact. These are IAM District 751 union positions with wages set by the 2024 collective bargaining agreement, which includes 38% increases over four years. Entry-level assembler wages at Boeing are among the strongest in the region for workers without a four-year degree.

    But the indirect impact reaches further. Aerospace suppliers — Spirit AeroSystems (fuselage components), Ducommun (structural components), Safran Cabin (interior systems), plus hundreds of smaller Paine Field-area contractors — will see increased demand as North Line production ramps. Tooling shops, maintenance contractors, catering services, and shuttle operators tied to the Boeing campus all feel a Boeing expansion.

    Everett’s economy beyond Boeing is also growing. Mayor Cassie Franklin’s April 2026 State of the City specifically highlighted healthcare and clean-energy companies alongside aerospace as pillars of local economic growth. Everett’s waterfront is undergoing a $1 billion redevelopment — the Millwright District at Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place is expected to receive its first housing residents by 2026, with retail and commercial space following.

    Housing and Cost of Living Context

    Everett is one of the more affordable entry points in the greater Seattle metro area. Median home prices in Everett run significantly below Seattle and Bellevue — typically 30-40% lower — while still offering Sound Transit access (Sounder North commuter rail to Seattle), Interstate 5 access, and proximity to both the Boeing campus and the Port of Everett waterfront.

    The North Line expansion will increase demand for housing near the Boeing campus — neighborhoods like Bayside, Silver Lake, and the areas north of Everett toward Mukilteo are popular with aerospace workers. The Millwright District’s new housing (200+ multi-family units under LPC West development) will add supply in a market that has needed it.

    Schools and Family Infrastructure

    Everett School District serves the city’s 114,000+ residents and is one of the larger districts in Snohomish County. The district has vocational and aerospace pathway programs — relevant for families with kids considering careers in the industry that dominates local employment. Everett Community College (EvCC) offers a strong aerospace manufacturing technology program that feeds directly into Boeing and supplier hiring pipelines.

    Frequently Asked Questions — For People Considering a Move

    Is Everett a good place to live if you work at Boeing?

    Yes — Everett is the closest major city to the Boeing Everett factory campus, which sits just west of Paine Field off SR-526. Workers at the campus can often commute in under 20 minutes from Everett neighborhoods, avoiding the I-5 or I-405 grind. Housing costs are significantly lower than Seattle or Bellevue while still offering access to the full metro area.

    What is the average salary for Boeing jobs at the Everett plant?

    IAM District 751 production workers at Boeing earn wages set by the collective bargaining agreement. Under the 2024 contract, hourly rates for journey-level assemblers are in the $35-$50/hour range depending on classification and seniority, with overtime premium pay, full benefits, and pension. The 2024 contract included 38% wage increases over four years.

    How far is Everett from Seattle?

    Everett is approximately 25 miles north of Seattle via I-5 — about 30-45 minutes in off-peak traffic, 45-75 minutes in morning commute conditions. Sound Transit’s Sounder North commuter rail runs between Everett Station and King Street Station in Seattle on weekday commute schedules. Sound Transit light rail expansion is planned to eventually connect Everett to the broader Link network.

    What neighborhoods are popular with Boeing workers near Everett?

    Bayside (near the waterfront), Silver Lake, Mukilteo, and Lynnwood are popular with Boeing campus workers. Mukilteo is particularly close to the plant’s main SR-526 access. Marysville and Arlington (north of Everett) attract workers who want more space and lower prices at the cost of a longer drive.

    Related Exploring Everett coverage: Boeing’s 737 North Line Is Coming to Everett This Summer | What the North Line Means for Boeing Workers