Tag: Snohomish County

  • Snohomish County Aerospace Suppliers: 767 to KC-46 Shift

    Snohomish County Aerospace Suppliers: 767 to KC-46 Shift

    If you run or work for a Snohomish County aerospace supplier, the headline about Boeing ending commercial 767 production in 2027 is not actually the story you need to plan around. The story is the composition shift on the Everett line — and what that does to your specific purchase orders, your labor mix, and your next three-year forecast.

    Here is how to read the 2027 transition through the supplier lens, and what the early indicators look like from inside Snohomish County’s aerospace economy.

    The supplier picture at a glance

    Washington State’s aerospace supplier ecosystem includes more than 1,400 companies statewide, with a heavy concentration in Snohomish County — driven by physical proximity to the Everett factory, Paine Field, and the cluster of MRO, fabrication, and tooling shops that grew up around them. Regional economic development groups have long estimated north of 600 Snohomish County aerospace suppliers specifically.

    Most of them were built, over the last 30 years, on a production mix heavily weighted toward Boeing commercial programs. The commercial-to-military shift on the 767 line is the single largest composition change happening inside the Everett program portfolio right now.

    What ends in 2027

    Once Boeing completes its remaining commercial 767-300F freighter orders for UPS and FedEx in 2027, the following categories of supplier orders stop:

    • Commercial cargo handling systems (main deck and lower deck)
    • Commercial freight-door structural and actuation hardware
    • Commercial avionics packages specific to 767-300F configurations
    • Passenger-freighter-specific interior and environmental systems on remaining conversions
    • Commercial delivery and customer-acceptance service work at FedEx and UPS specifications

    Suppliers concentrated in these categories are the most exposed.

    What continues — and expands

    The KC-46A Pegasus program keeps the Everett 767 line open. Boeing delivered 14 KC-46 aircraft in 2025 and publicly targeted 19 in 2026. The Air Force program of record is 179 aircraft, with more than 105 delivered as of April 2026 and firm orders for additional aircraft for allied customers including Israel and Japan. Congress exempted the program from 2028 commercial production cutoffs.

    For suppliers aligned to the KC-46, the outlook through at least the late 2020s is continued demand on:

    • Core 767 airframe components (wing, fuselage, empennage sub-assemblies)
    • KC-46-specific mission systems (boom, wing air refueling pods, Remote Vision System components)
    • Military-spec wiring and mission electronics
    • Government-acceptance and flight-test support services
    • Spares and sustainment for the growing delivered fleet

    Boeing has publicly described the KC-46 supply chain as involving more than 650 American businesses across 40+ states and roughly 37,000 workers. A meaningful share of that footprint is in Snohomish County.

    The adjacent program growth that matters for suppliers

    Two other Everett programs are also in motion:

    737 MAX North Line. Targeted for midsummer 2026 activation. This is a new narrow-body line standing up on the Everett campus. It creates incremental demand for single-aisle-specific component categories — different from both the 767 and the 777X.

    777X. In late-stage testing and flight certification. First commercial deliveries are planned in the coming years. Suppliers into the 777X have seen gradual ramp and are positioned for the production build-out.

    The honest supplier read on Everett is not “Boeing is shrinking.” It’s “the program mix is becoming more balanced across defense, commercial narrow-body, and commercial widebody — and each program pays into different supplier specialties.”

    The supplier planning checklist

    For Snohomish County suppliers trying to plan against the 2027 commercial 767 sundown, five questions matter:

    1. What percentage of my current Boeing revenue is tied to the commercial 767 specifically? If the answer is near zero, the sundown has almost no direct impact. If it’s material, the next four questions apply.
    2. Do my commercial-767 parts have direct equivalents on the KC-46? For many airframe-core components, yes. For freight-door and cargo-handling parts, no.
    3. Am I qualified as a defense supplier? Supplying the KC-46 requires government-acceptance and defense-sector qualification that differs from commercial delivery. Some commercial-only suppliers face a 12-24 month qualification pathway to move up the KC-46 curve.
    4. Can my shop absorb 737 MAX North Line work? Single-aisle narrow-body work requires different tooling and different component scopes than widebody. Suppliers with flexible fabrication capacity are better positioned.
    5. What’s my three-year hedge? Diversification across Boeing Everett programs (767/KC-46 + 737 North Line + 777X) plus non-Boeing aerospace (MRO, general aviation, defense primes) is the standard playbook.

    Snohomish County economic development context

    Economic Alliance Snohomish County and WashingtonTech have tracked the aerospace composition of the county’s economy for years. The picture that emerges is consistent: aerospace remains one of the two or three dominant economic clusters in Snohomish County, with Boeing Everett as the anchor. Individual supplier exits or mix shifts have happened repeatedly without changing that underlying picture.

    The 2027 commercial 767 sundown is a real event for specific suppliers. It is not, on the numbers currently public, a structural shift in the county’s aerospace cluster.

    Related Exploring Everett coverage

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How many aerospace suppliers are in Snohomish County?

    Regional economic development estimates put the number at more than 600, concentrated heavily around Paine Field and the Boeing Everett factory. Statewide, Washington’s aerospace supplier ecosystem includes more than 1,400 companies.

    Which supplier categories are most exposed to the 2027 commercial 767 sundown?

    Commercial cargo handling, freight-door hardware, commercial-specific avionics, and commercial delivery and acceptance services are the most exposed. Core airframe and mission-systems suppliers to the KC-46 are insulated.

    Does supplying Boeing commercial work qualify me to supply the KC-46?

    Not automatically. KC-46 delivery requires government-acceptance qualification and defense-sector compliance that differs from commercial delivery. Commercial-only suppliers face a qualification pathway to move onto the military program.

    Is the 737 MAX North Line a good growth lane for suppliers exiting 767 work?

    It can be, but single-aisle narrow-body work uses different tooling and different component scopes than widebody. Suppliers with flexible fabrication capacity are the best-positioned to rotate.

    What’s the KC-46 program of record size?

    The U.S. Air Force program of record is 179 aircraft. Boeing has delivered more than 105 as of April 2026, with firm additional orders for allied customers including Israel and Japan.


  • Boeing 767 Everett: 2027 Commercial End & KC-46 Future

    Boeing 767 Everett: 2027 Commercial End & KC-46 Future

    Quick answer: Boeing plans to end commercial 767-300F freighter production at its Everett, WA factory in 2027 after finishing the remaining FedEx and UPS orders. The 767 final assembly line in Everett stays open, but only for the KC-46A Pegasus tanker built for the U.S. Air Force and allied customers. Total deliveries across the 767 program are approaching 1,300 aircraft since 1981.

    For 45 years, the Boeing 767 has been one of Everett’s signature products. Built alongside the 747 and the 787 during the original Everett widebody era, it outlasted both of them on the Paine Field floor. In 2027, one of its two remaining identities — the commercial freighter — is scheduled to roll off the line for the last time.

    This is the complete 2026 guide to what’s happening, what changes, and why the end of commercial 767 production matters specifically for Everett.

    What Boeing Has Actually Announced

    In October 2024, Boeing announced it would end production of the commercial 767-300F freighter in 2027 once it completed its remaining orders. At the time, the backlog stood around 29 aircraft, split between UPS and FedEx Express. By early 2026, that backlog had narrowed further as Everett continued rolling out roughly one to two freighters a month.

    The announcement did not end the 767 line. The 767-2C — the green airframe that becomes the KC-46A Pegasus tanker — is built on the same final assembly line. Congress exempted the KC-46 from the 2028 commercial production cutoffs written into federal clean-air rules, which means Everett continues to build 767-based military tankers well past 2027.

    The practical effect is a mix shift, not a factory shutdown. Commercial 767s leave, and military 767s keep flowing.

    The KC-46 Backbone of the Post-2027 Line

    Boeing delivered 14 KC-46A tankers in 2025 and publicly targeted 19 deliveries in 2026. The 105th KC-46 — delivered April 3, 2026 to McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas — pushed the total past the halfway point of the planned 179-aircraft U.S. Air Force fleet. Boeing also holds firm orders for additional tankers for the U.S. Air Force, Israel, and Japan.

    The KC-46 supply chain involves more than 650 American businesses and roughly 37,000 workers across more than 40 states, according to Boeing. A disproportionate share of that supply chain sits in Snohomish County.

    What the 767 Has Meant to Everett

    The 767 first flew in 1981. Since then, the Everett line has produced roughly 1,300 airframes in passenger, freighter, and tanker variants. For decades it was the workhorse alongside the 747 — less glamorous, more profitable, and always visible in the distinctive purple FedEx and brown UPS tails on the flightline.

    For the city, the 767 has been quieter than the 747 but longer-running. When the 787 moved to South Carolina and the 747 ended in 2022, the 767 and its KC-46 derivative kept Everett producing widebody jets.

    Why the Commercial-to-Military Shift Matters for the Workforce

    Three questions shape what happens to the Everett workforce after 2027:

    Volume. A line producing 19 KC-46 tankers a year runs at a different cadence than one also pushing commercial freighters alongside. Touch-labor hours per month can compress even when headcount looks similar on paper.

    Supplier revenue mix. Commercial freighters and military tankers share most of the core airframe, but not all of it. Commercial-freighter-specific components — cargo handling systems, commercial avionics packages, freight-door hardware — stop being ordered after the last 767-300F ships.

    What comes next. Boeing’s 737 MAX North Line, scheduled to activate midsummer 2026, is the most visible new Everett program. But it’s a standing-up line, not a drop-in replacement for the commercial 767’s production cadence.

    The FedEx and UPS Customer Angle

    The last commercial 767-300Fs are going to two customers: UPS and FedEx Express. Both rely on the 767 as the core of their medium-widebody domestic freighter fleets. After Everett stops building new ones, both carriers will depend on passenger-to-freighter conversions and aging existing fleets to maintain capacity.

    That’s a structural shift in the air cargo business that’s playing out well beyond Everett. But it started here.

    Everett Context Right Now

    The 767 sundown is landing during an unusually active stretch for Everett’s Boeing operations. The 737 MAX North Line is activating this summer. The 777X is in late-stage testing. The KC-46 program keeps delivering. The commercial 767 program is winding down. All on the same Paine Field campus.

    For the city economically, the key number to watch isn’t the last 767 rollout date — it’s the ratio of commercial-to-military work coming out of Everett three years from now.

    Related Exploring Everett coverage

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When will Boeing stop building the commercial 767 in Everett?

    Boeing plans to complete its remaining commercial 767-300F freighter orders and end commercial production in 2027. The Everett final assembly line stays open for the KC-46 tanker.

    Will the Everett 767 factory close?

    No. The 767 final assembly line continues building the 767-2C airframe that becomes the KC-46A Pegasus tanker. The commercial version of the program ends; the military version continues.

    How many 767s are left to deliver?

    As of October 2024, Boeing had roughly 29 unfilled commercial 767-300F orders, split between UPS (17) and FedEx Express (12). Everett has continued rolling out aircraft into 2026, bringing the remaining backlog down.

    How many 767s has Boeing built in Everett total?

    The program has produced roughly 1,300 airframes across passenger, freighter, and KC-46 tanker variants since first flight in 1981.

    How many KC-46 tankers will Boeing build?

    The U.S. Air Force program of record is 179 aircraft. As of April 2026, Boeing had delivered more than 105 of them. Additional orders exist for Israel, Japan, and additional U.S. Air Force jets.

    Does the 767 sundown affect the 737 North Line?

    They are separate programs on different floors. The 737 MAX North Line is targeted for midsummer 2026 activation and is unrelated to the commercial 767 wind-down.

    What happens to aerospace suppliers that depend on the commercial 767?

    Suppliers that make commercial-freighter-specific components — cargo handling, commercial avionics, freight-door hardware — will see those orders end in 2027. Suppliers that also feed the KC-46 program retain that revenue stream.


  • 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.

  • View Ridge-Madison Everett: Complete Neighborhood Guide

    View Ridge-Madison Everett: Complete Neighborhood Guide

    Quick answer: View Ridge-Madison sits on the hills south of downtown Everett between Pigeon Creek No. 1 and Pigeon Creek No. 2, home to roughly 7,400 residents, two elementary schools, and some of the best Port Gardner Bay views in the city. Its neighborhood association meets monthly at View Ridge Elementary’s library (202 Alder St.), and Niche currently rates it a “B” and ranks it among Everett’s top three neighborhoods to live in.

    If you’ve ever driven Mukilteo Boulevard on a clear afternoon, dropped down toward Howarth Park, and caught yourself staring out at Port Gardner Bay instead of the road — you were probably cutting through View Ridge-Madison. It’s one of those Everett neighborhoods that hides in plain sight. People who live elsewhere know the name vaguely. People who live here tend to stay for decades.

    This is the full local’s guide: what the neighborhood actually is, where the boundaries run, what the association is working on in 2026, the schools, the parks next door, and what longtime residents say keeps them here.

    Where Is View Ridge-Madison, Exactly?

    View Ridge-Madison sits on the rising ground south of downtown Everett, perched on the western slope above Puget Sound. According to the City of Everett’s neighborhood page, the boundaries run:

    • North: Port Gardner Bay
    • South: Madison Avenue
    • East: Pigeon Creek No. 1
    • West: Pigeon Creek No. 2

    Translated into drive-around terms: you’re west of Broadway, south of Hewitt, and you pick up elevation fast as you head toward the water. The neighborhood earned its name from the view — you can stand on certain blocks along Rucker, Grand, and Dogwood and see straight across Port Gardner Bay to Hat Island and the Olympics behind it.

    Forest Park borders View Ridge-Madison on its southern edge, which means residents have one of Everett’s best urban greenspaces essentially as a backyard. Howarth Park, with its beach access to Puget Sound, sits just to the west.

    Who Lives Here

    View Ridge-Madison is home to around 7,436 residents, according to the Niche neighborhood profile. Per Homes.com’s local guide, most residents own their homes, the median home value sits around $555,506, and the median rent is roughly $1,635. Homes tend to be older — a lot of 1940s through 1970s construction with mature trees — on larger lots than you’d find in newer Everett developments.

    Niche grants the neighborhood an overall B grade and currently ranks it among Everett’s top three neighborhoods to live in. The ratings that drive that score are public schools, outdoor activities, and commuting — which anyone who lives here would immediately recognize as the real reasons people stay.

    The Association: How Neighbors Actually Get Things Done

    Like all 21 Everett neighborhoods, View Ridge-Madison has a recognized neighborhood association that meets regularly and serves as the connective tissue between residents and City Hall. Under the Office of Neighborhoods, associations handle things like traffic-calming requests, block parties, input on development proposals, and the annual cleanup and safety events that keep a neighborhood feeling like one.

    The View Ridge-Madison association meets at 7 p.m. in the library at View Ridge Elementary, 202 Alder St., Everett, WA 98203. The 2026 meeting schedule, per the city’s neighborhood page:

    • Thursday, Jan. 15
    • Thursday, Feb. 12
    • Thursday, March 19
    • Thursday, April 16
    • Thursday, May 21

    Meetings resume after a summer break, with no meetings in July, August, or December. If you want your boundary map, an introduction to the association leadership, or help finding which association covers your block, the City’s Office of Neighborhoods is reachable at (425) 257-7112.

    The Schools

    View Ridge-Madison is a neighborhood where your elementary school is a five-minute walk, not a fifteen-minute drive. Two Everett Public Schools elementaries sit inside the boundaries:

    • View Ridge Elementary — 202 Alder Street. The association’s meeting home and the namesake of half the neighborhood.
    • Madison Elementary — the other half of the neighborhood name.

    Middle and high school students feed into Everett Public Schools’ secondary network — generally Evergreen Middle School and then Everett High School or Cascade High School, depending on where your block falls in the boundary map. Both high schools earned outsized attention this year: Everett Public Schools hit a record 96.3% on-time graduation rate, and Cascade recently rolled out its IB program. If you’re a young family checking out View Ridge-Madison, the school story here is a legitimate part of the pitch.

    The Parks Next Door

    You don’t need a big park inside View Ridge-Madison, because two of Everett’s best parks touch it on two sides.

    Forest Park sits along the southern edge, offering 198 acres of forested trails, the Animal Farm, a swim center, and more than a century of Everett history layered into its grounds. It’s the neighborhood “big park” in every practical sense.

    Howarth Park, on the west, gives residents rare direct access to Puget Sound beach — a pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks drops you onto one of the quieter stretches of sand in the region. On a warm weekend, View Ridge-Madison residents are the people walking dogs on the beach there while the rest of Everett is hunting parking.

    Inside the neighborhood itself, the City notes several smaller green spaces and the scenic overlook streets that gave the neighborhood its name.

    What Longtime Residents Say Keeps Them Here

    Three themes come up again and again at association meetings and on local Facebook groups, and they’ll sound familiar if you know this part of town:

    The views. Specific streets — along Grand, Rucker, and Dogwood especially — have unobstructed Port Gardner Bay sightlines that real estate listings haven’t fully priced in yet. On a summer evening, you get the Olympic silhouette and ferries moving across the bay.

    The walkability. Mature sidewalks, gentle grid blocks, and two elementary schools inside the boundaries mean kids walk to school and adults can loop Forest Park trails before dinner. Commuting into downtown Everett or onto I-5 is still fast.

    The stability. The housing stock is older, which means original owners and families who’ve stayed for 20–30 years. The neighbor who knows everyone is not a cliché here; it’s the norm.

    Getting Involved

    If you live in View Ridge-Madison and have never been to an association meeting, the easiest first step is to show up at the next one at View Ridge Elementary — no commitment, just pull up a chair. If you’re not sure whether your block is in View Ridge-Madison or a neighboring association like Delta, Lowell, or Port Gardner, call the Office of Neighborhoods at (425) 257-7112 and they’ll send you a boundary map.

    The association also keeps a public Facebook group where residents share lost-pet posts, bear sightings (yes, really, sometimes), traffic-calming requests, and the occasional “someone’s selling a free trampoline” thread.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where is View Ridge-Madison in Everett?
    View Ridge-Madison sits on the hills south of downtown Everett, bordered by Port Gardner Bay to the north, Madison Avenue to the south, Pigeon Creek No. 1 to the east, and Pigeon Creek No. 2 to the west. Forest Park runs along its southern edge and Howarth Park sits just west.

    When does the View Ridge-Madison Neighborhood Association meet in 2026?
    At 7 p.m. on Jan. 15, Feb. 12, March 19, April 16, and May 21, at the library in View Ridge Elementary, 202 Alder St., Everett, WA 98203. No meetings July, August, or December.

    What schools serve View Ridge-Madison?
    The neighborhood includes View Ridge Elementary and Madison Elementary, both part of Everett Public Schools. Older students typically feed into Evergreen Middle and either Everett or Cascade High School depending on attendance boundaries.

    How many people live in View Ridge-Madison?
    About 7,436 residents, per the Niche neighborhood profile. Most are homeowners, and the neighborhood skews family-heavy.

    Is View Ridge-Madison a good place to live?
    Niche rates it a B overall and currently ranks it among Everett’s top three neighborhoods. The core pitch is schools, outdoor access via Forest Park and Howarth Park, and Port Gardner Bay views — all within a walkable, stable, grid-block layout.

    How do I find out which neighborhood association I’m in?
    Call the City of Everett’s Office of Neighborhoods at (425) 257-7112 or email nwebber@everettwa.gov for a boundary map.

  • 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.

  • Boeing Everett Factory Tour 2026: New Exhibits & Hours

    Boeing Everett Factory Tour 2026: New Exhibits & Hours

    Q: Is Boeing’s Future of Flight open every day in 2026?
    A: Yes. Boeing expanded its Future of Flight Aviation Center and the Everett factory tour to seven days a week, Monday through Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., starting in early 2026. General admission tickets start at $14, and the add-on Everett factory tour starts at $42. New exhibits include a Wisk autonomous air taxi and a Boeing space-exploration engineering zone.

    The Everett Factory Tour Is Open More Than It’s Ever Been

    If you live in Everett and you’ve never actually taken the Future of Flight tour, you are not alone. It’s the thing you drive past on 526 and tell out-of-town family members to go see. That might be shifting in 2026.

    Boeing has expanded hours at the Future of Flight Aviation Center in Mukilteo and the Everett factory tour that runs out of it — from five days a week up to all seven, starting in early 2026. The center sits at 8415 Paine Field Boulevard, right at the south edge of the Boeing Everett factory, and it’s the only way the general public gets inside the world’s largest building by volume.

    The expanded schedule is a real change, not a press release. Tickets that used to require planning around a Wednesday-through-Sunday window now work for a Monday morning off. For a city whose economy runs on the factory 5,000 feet away, this is one of the easier ways to reconnect Everett residents with what the 42,000-person Boeing workforce is actually doing inside the building every day.

    What’s New at the Future of Flight in 2026

    Boeing added two significant new exhibit pieces at Future of Flight heading into 2026, both of which point at where the aerospace industry is headed, not just where it’s been.

    Wisk autonomous air taxi. Wisk Aero is Boeing’s all-electric, self-flying air taxi program. The Future of Flight gallery now includes a display model. If you’ve ever wondered what “urban air mobility” actually looks like on the ramp — as opposed to in a marketing video — this is your chance to see one at ground level. For Everett families, the display is notable precisely because Wisk is a bet on a category of flight that doesn’t yet exist at scale: short-hop electric air travel over metropolitan areas.

    Boeing space exploration zone. The new engineering zone highlights Boeing’s work beyond commercial jets — the Starliner crew capsule, space station hardware, and the deep-space engineering that happens at other Boeing sites but draws on the same broad engineering talent base that staffs Everett and the Puget Sound region. It’s a useful reminder that Boeing is more than the 737 MAX news cycle.

    These pieces join the existing Future of Flight staples: the photo-ready commercial engine displays, the kid-friendly flight simulator zone, the gallery of Boeing program history, and the balcony vantage over the 777/777X final assembly floor that is the actual reason most visitors are there.

    What the Factory Tour Actually Includes Right Now

    The factory tour itself is an 80-minute guided experience built around the Boeing Everett Factory balcony. In practical 2026 terms, here’s what that means:

    777 and 777X final assembly. Visitors see the 777 production line and — critically for anyone paying attention to Boeing’s 2026 news cycle — the 777X aircraft currently moving through production. Several 777X airframes, including the one destined for launch customer Lufthansa, have been on the factory floor this year as Boeing targets its first production-standard 777X flight from Paine Field in April. Whether a given tour happens to catch that specific airframe is luck of the draw, but the line is active and visible.

    767 line, in its final commercial chapter. The same factory floor that hosts the 777 line also hosts the 767 final assembly line, which is running through its last commercial 767-300F freighters for FedEx and UPS before pivoting to KC-46 tanker-only production in 2027. For anyone who wants to see a 45-year-old Everett program in its final year, the tour is currently one of the only legal, scheduled ways to do it.

    The 737 MAX North Line — eventually. The new 737 MAX North Line is targeting a midsummer 2026 activation in Everett. Once that line is active, it will be visible as part of the tour route. Boeing has already toured its CEO through the line and begun staff training. Tour routes are updated periodically as production configurations change.

    Practical Info for Everett Locals

    For residents who have never done the tour or who have done it once and forgotten the logistics, a short refresher:

    • Location: 8415 Paine Field Boulevard, Mukilteo, WA — about a 10-minute drive from downtown Everett.
    • Hours: Monday through Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed on certain federal holidays.
    • General admission: From $14. Includes Future of Flight gallery and exhibits.
    • Add-on factory tour: From $42. Covers the 80-minute guided experience inside the factory.
    • Age minimum: The factory tour has a minimum age and height requirement. Check Boeing’s official Future of Flight site for the current rules before booking with kids.
    • Photos: Allowed in the Future of Flight gallery. Not allowed inside the factory itself — you’ll stow your phone at the tour’s start.
    • Parking: On-site, free for visitors. Large lot that is rarely full outside peak summer weekends.

    Why This Matters for Everett’s Tourism Story

    There’s a broader economic angle that’s easy to miss if you live here. The Future of Flight is one of the Everett region’s few nationally recognized tourism assets — an attraction that pulls visitors off I-5 who would otherwise drive past Everett on their way between Seattle and Vancouver. The expansion from five to seven operating days and the new exhibit investment signal that Boeing sees Future of Flight as something worth continuing to fund as a public-facing front door to its industrial base.

    For Everett’s hotel, restaurant, and retail operators along Broadway and the waterfront, a Future of Flight operating at seven-day capacity is a reliable, year-round volume of aerospace-curious day-trippers. Those visitors don’t just disappear after the tour — they eat lunch, grab coffee, and sometimes extend into an overnight. In a city that has been deliberately rebuilding its waterfront hospitality economy, every additional operating day at Paine Field Boulevard matters at the margin.

    And for the tens of thousands of aerospace workers whose families have never actually seen what the second shift builds, a weekend Future of Flight visit is now easier to schedule than it has been in years.

    What to Expect If You Haven’t Been Since 2023

    The Future of Flight reopened in October 2023 after a two-year COVID-era closure, with a revised tour script and updated route. Visitors returning in 2026 for the first time since that reopening will notice:

    • Expanded galleries with the new Wisk and space exhibits.
    • A tour route that reflects current production configurations, not the pre-closure era.
    • Extended weekly operating days.
    • Active 777X production visible on the floor, which was not the case during the earliest reopening months.

    If the last time you took the tour was pre-pandemic, this is a different experience — the tour script is different, the exhibits are different, and the active programs visible on the factory floor are different. It’s worth a second visit.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How much does the Boeing Everett factory tour cost?

    General admission to the Future of Flight Aviation Center starts at $14. The add-on guided factory tour starts at $42. Prices vary by age, group size, and package. Boeing’s official Future of Flight booking site has the current, full pricing.

    Is the Boeing factory tour open every day in 2026?

    Yes. Starting in early 2026, the Future of Flight Aviation Center and the Everett factory tour are open seven days a week, Monday through Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. They close on certain federal holidays.

    What airplanes can I see on the Boeing Everett factory tour?

    The tour provides views of the 777 and 777X final assembly line, the 767 line (in its final commercial chapter through 2027), and — once the new 737 MAX North Line is operational later in 2026 — single-aisle 737 MAX production as well. Specific aircraft visible on any given tour depend on the production schedule that day.

    Can I take photos inside the Boeing Everett factory?

    No. Photography is not permitted inside the factory itself. You’ll stow phones and cameras at the start of the factory tour. Photography is allowed inside the Future of Flight gallery and exhibit areas.

    How old do you have to be to take the Boeing factory tour?

    The factory tour has a minimum age and height requirement set by Boeing for safety reasons. Check the current requirement on Boeing’s Future of Flight site before booking with young children, as the exact threshold is updated periodically.

    How long is the Everett factory tour?

    The guided factory tour portion is about 80 minutes. Allow at least two to three hours for the full Future of Flight visit if you want to explore the exhibits before or after the factory tour.

    Is the Future of Flight worth it if I live in Everett?

    For local residents who haven’t been since the 2023 reopening, the refreshed tour script, new Wisk and space-exploration exhibits, and the active 777X and upcoming 737 MAX North Line production all give longtime locals a reason to revisit. It’s also one of the most concrete ways to help visiting family understand what the 42,000-person Boeing Everett workforce actually builds.

  • Boeing 767 Freighter: Everett Production Ending in 2027

    Boeing 767 Freighter: Everett Production Ending in 2027

    Q: When will Boeing stop building the commercial 767 freighter in Everett?
    A: Boeing plans to close out commercial 767-300F production in 2027 once it delivers its remaining orders to FedEx and UPS. After that, the Everett line will continue building only the 767-2C airframe that becomes the KC-46 Pegasus tanker for the U.S. Air Force. The program has been running continuously since 1981.

    A 45-Year Everett Program Is Running Out Its String

    If you’ve driven Paine Field Boulevard any time in the last four decades, you’ve probably seen a Boeing 767 rolling out of the Everett factory — often in the trademark purple tail of FedEx or the brown of UPS. That image is about to become historic.

    Boeing is on the final glide path for commercial 767 production. According to multiple industry sources and Boeing’s own October 2024 announcement, the company plans to complete its remaining commercial 767-300F freighter orders in 2026 and 2027, then close out the passenger-and-freighter version of the program for good.

    What’s left on the order book? As of early 2025, Boeing held 33 unfilled commercial 767-300F orders — roughly 24 for UPS and the rest for FedEx, which was scheduled to take its final two 767-300Fs by May 31, 2026. Those aircraft are the last commercial 767s the Everett factory will ever produce. UPS took delivery of the 100th 767 freighter in its fleet from Everett in early 2026 — a milestone that now doubles as a countdown marker.

    For Everett, this isn’t just an airplane program winding down. It’s the end of a production line that helped define what the city does for a living.

    What Happens to the Everett 767 Line After 2027

    Here’s the part that gets lost in national coverage: the 767 line in Everett is not shutting down. It’s narrowing.

    The 767-2C — the “green” airframe that Boeing modifies into the KC-46A Pegasus refueling tanker for the Air Force — is built on the same final assembly line as the commercial 767-300F. When the last commercial freighter rolls out, the line stays open, but only for military tankers. Congress has specifically exempted the KC-46 program from the 2028 commercial production cutoffs written into federal clean-air rules, which means Everett is expected to keep building 767-based tankers well past 2027.

    The practical effect inside the factory is a mix shift, not a shutdown. Commercial freighters are replaced on the line by military airframes that follow the same basic production flow but feed a different customer and a different delivery cadence.

    Boeing delivered 14 KC-46 tankers in 2025 and has publicly targeted 19 deliveries in 2026. The 105th KC-46 delivery — the one that rolled out of Everett on April 3 for McConnell Air Force Base — is a good barometer of where the program is headed: well over half of the planned 179-aircraft fleet has now been built and accepted. Boeing also holds firm orders for 60 additional KC-46s, including tankers for Israel, Japan, and the U.S. Air Force.

    Translation: the 767 line is not an endangered species. But the commercial 767 line is.

    Why This Matters for Everett’s Aerospace Workforce

    The commercial-to-military mix shift on the 767 line raises real questions for workers and local suppliers, even if the line itself survives.

    The first question is volume. Commercial 767-300F freighters and KC-46A tankers are both built in Everett, but the KC-46 has historically moved at a slower per-month cadence than the freighter. A line that’s building 19 tankers a year is a different line than one that’s also pushing out commercial freighters for FedEx and UPS on the side. Fewer airframes moving through the same floor space can mean fewer touch-labor hours, even if headcount on a given shift looks similar.

    The second question is supplier revenue. Washington state’s aerospace supplier base — more than 600 companies concentrated heavily in Snohomish County, by regional economic development estimates — has always been anchored by Boeing commercial programs. When Boeing’s production mix tilts toward defense, the supplier revenue picture tilts with it, and some commercial-freighter-specific components simply stop being ordered.

    The third question is the one Everett has been asking since the 787 moved to South Carolina: what comes next on the Everett floor? The 737 MAX North Line, which Boeing is targeting for a midsummer 2026 activation, is the most visible answer. But the North Line is a new program standing up, not a drop-in replacement for the commercial 767. The workforce flows inside Boeing’s Everett operations will be more complicated than a single program handoff.

    The Numbers That Tell the Story

    A few figures worth pinning down as the 767 commercial program winds down:

    • 1981: Year the first 767 rolled out of the Everett factory, a few months after the 767-200’s maiden flight.
    • 33: Unfilled commercial 767-300F orders on the books as of early 2025 — the final production run.
    • 24: Of those, belonging to UPS.
    • 2: Final FedEx 767-300Fs, scheduled for delivery by May 31, 2026.
    • 100: UPS 767 freighters in fleet after its February 2026 delivery — a program milestone for the carrier.
    • 19: KC-46 tankers Boeing is targeting for delivery in 2026.
    • 105: KC-46 tankers delivered as of April 3, 2026.
    • 179: Total planned KC-46 fleet for the U.S. Air Force.
    • 650+: American businesses in the KC-46 supply chain, spanning more than 40 states.
    • 2027: Target close-out year for commercial 767-300F production.

    What Everett Should Watch For Next

    For residents and workers watching this transition play out in real time, a few milestones will tell the story more clearly than any press release:

    Every FedEx and UPS tail that rolls out of Everett in 2026. Each one is one closer to the last. The final commercial 767 delivery will, almost by definition, be a historic day at Paine Field — comparable in Everett memory to the last 747 rolling off the line in 2023.

    KC-46 delivery cadence. Boeing’s public target of 19 tankers in 2026 is the near-term measuring stick for how healthy the “military-only” future looks. A year that overshoots that target is a year the Everett floor stays busy; a year that undershoots is worth asking questions about.

    The North Line’s real start. Boeing has said the new 737 MAX North Line at Everett will begin operating this summer. How quickly it ramps — and how many of the 767’s veteran assemblers move over to the North Line rather than retiring or leaving — will shape what the Everett campus actually looks like for the next decade.

    Supplier-side announcements. Some Puget Sound-area suppliers are commercial-freighter specific and will see their Boeing revenue decline as the 767-300F wraps. Others feed both the commercial line and the KC-46. Watch for consolidation, retooling announcements, or new program wins in the next 18 months — those will be the leading indicators for how the supplier base absorbs the shift.

    The Bigger Picture for Everett’s Identity

    The 767 has been part of Everett’s identity since Ronald Reagan’s first term. It was one of the three big widebodies — 747, 767, 777 — that turned the Boeing Everett factory into the largest building in the world by volume. The 747 is already gone. The 767 passenger version ended years ago. The 767 freighter is now on the clock.

    What’s left for Everett widebodies is the 777 and 777X, which are still being built, flight-tested, and prepared for customer delivery on the south end of the same factory. What’s new for Everett is the 737 MAX North Line coming online this summer, which will put a single-aisle commercial jet in an Everett paint hangar for the first time. And what’s continuing — quietly, reliably, for at least another decade — is the KC-46 tanker flowing off the 767 floor to U.S. Air Force and allied customers.

    The 767 commercial program’s final year isn’t a crisis. It’s a transition. But for a community where roughly half of Washington state’s aerospace workers live and work, transitions deserve attention before they arrive, not after.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When will Boeing’s last commercial 767 be delivered?

    Boeing has publicly stated it will wind down commercial 767-300F freighter production in 2027 after delivering its remaining orders to FedEx and UPS. Some of those deliveries are scheduled in 2026, with the final aircraft in 2027.

    Is Boeing closing the Everett 767 production line?

    No. The commercial 767-300F freighter is ending, but the same line will continue producing the 767-2C airframe that Boeing converts into the KC-46A Pegasus tanker for the U.S. Air Force. KC-46 production is expected to continue well past 2027.

    How many commercial 767s does Boeing still have to build?

    As of early 2025, Boeing held 33 unfilled commercial 767-300F orders — roughly 24 for UPS and the rest for FedEx, which was scheduled to take its final two 767-300Fs by May 31, 2026. Boeing has been delivering against that backlog steadily, including a UPS delivery in February 2026 that marked UPS’s 100th 767 freighter.

    How many KC-46 tankers has Boeing delivered?

    Boeing delivered its 105th KC-46A Pegasus to the U.S. Air Force on April 3, 2026, when a new tanker arrived at McConnell Air Force Base. That’s well over half of the planned 179-aircraft total fleet. Boeing has targeted 19 additional KC-46 deliveries in 2026.

    What does the 767 wind-down mean for Everett jobs?

    The net effect depends heavily on the KC-46 delivery cadence, the ramp of the new 737 MAX North Line, and how Boeing moves veteran 767 assemblers within the Everett campus. The line itself isn’t shutting down, but the mix is shifting from commercial to military. For the regional supplier base — more than 600 aerospace companies in Snohomish County alone — commercial-freighter-specific vendors are most exposed, while KC-46 suppliers remain in the backlog.

    When did the Boeing 767 first roll out of Everett?

    The 767-200 made its first flight in 1981 and entered service in 1982. The final assembly line has been active in Everett since then — more than 45 years of continuous commercial 767 production.

    Will the KC-46 tanker line in Everett keep hiring?

    Boeing’s CFO has publicly acknowledged that the company is maintaining “higher levels of quality and engineering support” at Everett specifically for the KC-46 program. With roughly 75 tankers still to deliver on the current fleet plan, and additional export orders in the pipeline, the KC-46 line is expected to be an ongoing employer in Everett for years.

  • Everett Waterfront Guide: Spring 2026 Day Trip Itinerary

    Everett Waterfront Guide: Spring 2026 Day Trip Itinerary

    Q: How should I plan a day trip to Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place in spring 2026?

    A: Plan for a half-day minimum. The Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place opened multiple restaurants between December 2025 and March 2026 and now anchors a credible day-trip experience for visitors from Seattle, Bellingham, and across the I-5 corridor. The high-leverage day-trip plan: arrive by late morning, lunch at The Net Shed Fresh Fish Market & Kitchen or Marina Azul (when open), walk the marina and visit Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition, head to Jetty Island via the seasonal passenger ferry (May–early September), come back for happy hour on Tapped Public House’s rooftop deck, and finish with frozen yogurt at Menchie’s at the Marina. Park free in the lots adjacent to Restaurant Row. Total cost for two: roughly $80–$120 depending on drinks. From Seattle, plan 45 minutes by car or 50 minutes via Sounder North.

    The Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place spent the back half of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026 quietly becoming a credible waterfront day-trip destination. The marina was always there — 2,300 slips, the largest public marina on the West Coast. What’s new is what’s around it. Tapped Public House opened March 2 with the largest open-air waterfront rooftop deck in Snohomish County. Rustic Cork and The Net Shed opened in December 2025. Menchie’s at the Marina cut its ribbon March 13, 2026. Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina is opening this spring. There is now enough at Waterfront Place to spend a full day.

    This guide walks through how to plan that day, in the order most visitors should do it.

    Getting There From Seattle, Bellingham, and Beyond

    From Seattle: 30 miles north on I-5 to exit 194 (Pacific Avenue), then west on Pacific Avenue until the road dead-ends at the marina. 45 minutes off-peak, 60–75 minutes during rush. Or take Sounder North from King Street Station to Everett Station (about 50 minutes), then Community Transit Route 7 or a 15-minute walk to the waterfront.

    From Bellingham: 80 miles south on I-5 to exit 194. About 90 minutes off-peak.

    From Eastside (Bellevue/Kirkland): WA-520 to I-5 north, then exit 194. About 50 minutes off-peak.

    By boat: Guest moorage is available at the Port of Everett Marina. Day-use moorage rates are published on the Port’s website. Approach: enter through the breakwater at the north or south end of the marina; check in at the marina office for assigned moorage.

    Parking

    Free parking is available at multiple surface lots adjacent to Restaurant Row and the marina. Lots are well-marked and within a 2-minute walk of any tenant on the property. Saturday afternoons in summer can fill up; aim to arrive before noon if you want a lot directly behind the Restaurant Row building.

    The High-Leverage Three-Hour Plan

    11:30 AM — Arrive and lunch. Start with The Net Shed Fresh Fish Market & Kitchen for a fast, fresh seafood lunch on the ground floor of the Restaurant Row building. The fish-and-chips and the chowder are the easy first-time orders. Or, when it opens this spring, Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina for tacos and a paloma on the deck directly on the water.

    12:30 PM — Walk the marina. Head south along the marina docks. The walk runs the length of the North Marina basin and into the South Marina, with views of every type of vessel from working fishing boats to high-end pleasure craft. Stop at the Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition gift shop for the salmon-conservation-themed retail and visitor information. The walk takes roughly 30–45 minutes round trip if you don’t stop, longer if you do.

    1:15 PM — Jetty Island ferry (May–early September only). The Port runs a free seasonal passenger ferry from the marina to Jetty Island, the Port’s day-use island sandbar in Possession Sound. Roundtrip rides are 5 minutes each way; the island has a lifeguard-staffed beach in summer, walking trails, and some of the best low-tide tide-pooling in the region. Plan 60–90 minutes on the island if you go.

    3:00 PM — Tapped Public House rooftop happy hour. Head to the rooftop deck of Tapped Public House on the second floor of the Restaurant Row building. Order a drink, take in the view across the marina and Possession Sound, and stay through golden hour if the weather cooperates. This is the showstopper experience at Waterfront Place.

    5:00 PM — Frozen yogurt and walk back. Finish at Menchie’s at the Marina, also on the second floor of the Restaurant Row building. The self-serve frozen yogurt with the rotating flavor wall and toppings bar is a strong way to wrap a sunny waterfront day with kids in tow. Then walk back to the parking lot.

    Variations: Swap Tapped for Rustic Cork Wine Bar if you’d prefer a wine-and-small-plates happy hour. Swap The Net Shed for Bluewater Distilling at Hotel Indigo if you want a sit-down lunch with cocktails.

    What to Know About Each Restaurant

    Tapped Public House. Gastropub menu, full bar, the largest open-air waterfront rooftop deck in Snohomish County. Showstopper view. Best for happy hour or sunset. Reservations recommended on weekends.

    Rustic Cork Wine Bar. Wine-forward program, curated by-the-glass list, small plates and Pacific Northwest food. Best for a quiet wine pairing or a date-night.

    The Net Shed Fresh Fish Market & Kitchen. Fresh fish counter and quick-service kitchen. Casual, walk-up. Best for fast lunch with the family or grabbing fish to take home.

    Menchie’s at the Marina. Self-serve frozen yogurt, pay by weight, rotating flavor wall and toppings bar. Best for after-walk dessert with kids. The first waterfront-facing Menchie’s in the Puget Sound region.

    Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina (opening early spring 2026). Refined Mexican menu, extensive sipping tequila and craft cocktail program. Direct waterfront patio with boat-to-table dining. Best for dinner. From the team behind Casa Azul in Woodinville and Agave Cocina in Issaquah.

    Bluewater Distilling at Hotel Indigo. Hotel restaurant with cocktail-forward bar program. Convenient if staying at Hotel Indigo or arriving by Sounder.

    Beyond Restaurant Row: Other Things at Waterfront Place

    • Hotel Indigo Everett Waterfront — only hotel on the property, with marina views and the Bluewater Distilling restaurant.
    • The Mukilteo–Everett water taxi — seasonal passenger ferry between Everett’s and Mukilteo’s waterfronts. Schedule and rates published seasonally on the Port’s website.
    • Marine services and S3 Maritime — for boaters needing maintenance or supplies.
    • Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition gift shop — salmon-conservation retail and visitor info.

    What’s Worth a Separate Trip

    If your day-trip plan is going well and you have time before driving home, these are within 5 minutes by car:

    • Hewitt Avenue restaurants and bars — Everett’s downtown core has rebuilt its restaurant scene over the last 24 months. Quick walk if you parked downtown.
    • Funko HQ — collectors detour for the Funko store.
    • Schack Art Center — downtown gallery and visiting exhibitions.
    • Howarth Park beach — Everett’s quieter beach park, 5 minutes south of downtown, with a pedestrian bridge over the BNSF tracks to a long Puget Sound beach.

    Best Day-Trip Days for Waterfront Place

    Best weather window: May through early October. Puget Sound waterfront is at its best in dry, longer-light months.

    Best day of week: Saturday for full energy, Sunday for slower pace, Friday afternoon for happy hour without the crowd.

    What to skip: January through March weekday lunches — quieter than the experience deserves. Wait for spring weekends.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How long should I plan to spend at the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place?

    Half-day minimum to do justice to lunch, the marina walk, and one happy-hour or rooftop experience. Full day if including Jetty Island in season (May–early September).

    Is parking free at Waterfront Place?

    Yes. Free public parking is available in multiple surface lots adjacent to Restaurant Row and the marina.

    Can I take public transit to Waterfront Place from Seattle?

    Yes. Sounder North service from King Street Station to Everett Station (about 50 minutes), then Community Transit bus or a 15-minute walk to the waterfront. Sounder North runs limited weekday-only service; verify current schedule.

    When does the Jetty Island ferry run?

    Seasonally, typically May through early September. The ferry is free and runs from the Port of Everett Marina to Jetty Island, with crossings of about 5 minutes each way.

    Are the restaurants at Waterfront Place family-friendly?

    Most are. The Net Shed, Menchie’s at the Marina, Tapped’s main floor, and Marina Azul are all family-appropriate. Rustic Cork is more adult-oriented (wine bar focus). Tapped’s rooftop deck is 21+ in the bar area but family-friendly elsewhere; verify policy on visit.

    Can I bring my dog?

    Outdoor patios at several restaurants are dog-friendly with confirmation; verify with the specific tenant. The marina walking paths welcome leashed dogs. Jetty Island has restrictions during peak season.

    Where should I stay overnight if I want to extend my Waterfront Place visit?

    Hotel Indigo Everett Waterfront is the only hotel on the property and is the closest stay to the marina and Restaurant Row. Other Everett-area hotels are 5–15 minutes away by car.

    Is Waterfront Place still under construction?

    Active redevelopment continues — Marina Azul is opening this spring, the Port is recruiting a breakfast-and-brunch operator for one remaining Restaurant Row spot, and a flagship restaurant is being recruited for the last undeveloped parcel. The areas currently open are fully visit-ready.

  • Everett Waterfront Place: 2026 Restaurant & Marina Guide

    Everett Waterfront Place: 2026 Restaurant & Marina Guide

    Q: What is at the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place in 2026?

    A: Waterfront Place is the Port of Everett’s 1.5 million-square-foot, 65-acre mixed-use redevelopment on Everett’s working waterfront. As of mid-April 2026, six restaurant and retail tenants are open: Tapped Public House (March 2026, with the largest open-air waterfront rooftop deck in Snohomish County), Rustic Cork Wine Bar (December 2025), The Net Shed Fresh Fish Market & Kitchen (December 2025), Menchie’s at the Marina (March 13, 2026 ribbon cutting), the Bluewater Distilling restaurant inside Hotel Indigo, and the Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition gift shop. Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina from the Casa Azul / Agave Cocina team is opening early spring 2026. The Port is recruiting a breakfast-and-brunch operator after the previously announced Alexa’s Cafe lease did not close. The marina is the largest public marina on the West Coast with 2,300 slips and 5,000 linear feet of guest moorage.

    The Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place is the largest waterfront redevelopment Snohomish County has ever attempted. 1.5 million square feet of mixed-use development on 65 acres adjacent to downtown Everett, anchored by what is now the largest public marina on the West Coast — 2,300 slips and 5,000 linear feet of guest moorage. The redevelopment has been underway for more than a decade. The 2024–2026 phase has been the visible one: the Restaurant Row building lighting up, hotel guests arriving, marina foot traffic climbing, and downtown Everett valuations responding.

    This is the complete 2026 guide. What’s open today, what’s coming this spring, what’s still being recruited, and why all of this matters for the city beyond just where to get dinner.

    What’s Open at Waterfront Place Right Now

    Tapped Public House. Opened March 2, 2026 on the second floor of the Restaurant Row building. Gastropub menu, full bar, and the largest open-air waterfront rooftop deck in Snohomish County, with panoramic views across the North Marina and Possession Sound. Already pulling consistent weekend crowds.

    Rustic Cork Wine Bar. Opened December 2025. Second-floor space in the Restaurant Row building. Wine-forward program with curated by-the-glass and bottle list, small plates, and Pacific Northwest-leaning food.

    The Net Shed Fresh Fish Market & Kitchen. Opened December 2025. Ground-floor fresh fish retail counter with quick-service seafood prepared kitchen. The market side sources from Pacific Northwest fisheries; the kitchen turns it into chowder, fish-and-chips, sandwiches, and rotating seasonal preparations.

    Menchie’s at the Marina. Ribbon cutting March 13, 2026. Self-serve frozen yogurt with a rotating flavor wall and toppings bar, on the second floor of the Restaurant Row building. The first waterfront-facing Menchie’s location in the Puget Sound region.

    Bluewater Distilling at Hotel Indigo Everett Waterfront. Hotel Indigo’s ground-floor restaurant operated by Bluewater Distilling. Cocktail-forward bar program with food menu and waterfront views.

    Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition gift shop. The Port’s retail anchor from the first phase of Waterfront Place development. Salmon-conservation-focused retail and visitor information.

    S3 Maritime. Marine maintenance and repair services. Not a restaurant, but a recent addition to the marina-services side of Waterfront Place.

    What’s Coming Next at Waterfront Place

    Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina. Opening early spring 2026. The third concept from the team behind Casa Azul Cocina & Cantina in Woodinville and Agave Cocina & Cantina in Issaquah. Refined Mexican menu, extensive sipping tequila and craft cocktail program, and ground-floor space directly on the water — the kind of setup where you can dock a boat, walk up to the deck, and be eating tacos within 10 minutes. This is the highest-profile coming-soon tenant on the Restaurant Row property.

    An unnamed breakfast-and-brunch café. The originally announced Alexa’s Cafe lease did not close. The Port is now actively recruiting a new breakfast-and-brunch operator for the last remaining spot in the Restaurant Row building. If you operate a café in the North Sound market or know someone evaluating expansion, the Port’s real estate team is the contact point.

    A flagship restaurant for the last undeveloped waterfront parcel. The Port opened an official search in early 2026 for a flagship restaurant concept to anchor the remaining undeveloped land at Waterfront Place. This is the largest still-available footprint on the property.

    The Marina, By the Numbers

    The Port of Everett Marina inside Waterfront Place is the largest public marina on the West Coast, with 2,300 boat slips and 5,000 linear feet of guest moorage. Slip waitlists vary by size class and category. Guest moorage is available daily and seasonally for visiting boaters, with rates published on the Port’s website.

    The marina includes the North Marina and South Marina basins, a fueling dock, pump-out service, restroom and shower facilities, and direct walking access to all Waterfront Place tenants. Jetty Island, the Port’s seasonal day-use island accessible by passenger ferry from the marina during summer months, draws roughly 60,000 visitors during peak season.

    The Mukilteo–Everett seasonal water taxi operates from the marina during summer months, providing a direct passenger connection to Mukilteo’s waterfront. Schedule and rates are published seasonally.

    Hotel Indigo Everett Waterfront

    Hotel Indigo Everett Waterfront is the only hotel on the Waterfront Place property. The full-service property includes guest rooms with marina and Possession Sound views, the Bluewater Distilling restaurant on the ground floor, meeting and event space, and direct walking access to all of Waterfront Place. The hotel has been a key driver of weekend visitation since opening, particularly for Seattle-area guests doing day trips and weekend stays in Snohomish County.

    The Port of Everett’s $70M 2026 Budget Context

    The Port of Everett’s 2026 budget is approximately $70 million, with $8.1 million earmarked for seaport modernization, $2.6 million for Waterfront Place retail and public infrastructure, and $7.1 million for ongoing maintenance. Waterfront Place is the highest-visibility line in the public-facing portion of that budget. The retail lease-up funds the public infrastructure; the public infrastructure makes the retail viable.

    Why Waterfront Place Matters For Everett Beyond Dinner

    It is easy to read Waterfront Place coverage as lifestyle news rather than economic development. The reality is that Restaurant Row and the marina are doing three structural things for downtown Everett right now:

    Generating foot traffic that didn’t exist 24 months ago. The Port has reported significant year-over-year increases in marina visitation since the first Restaurant Row tenants opened. That foot traffic spills into Hotel Indigo bookings, Jetty Island ferry traffic, and the Mukilteo–Everett water taxi.

    Underwriting the Millwright District commercial real estate thesis. Millwright District Phase 2 — housing plus 120,000 square feet of office space — is being pre-leased right now. Every tenant signing in Millwright is doing so against the foot traffic and destination-draw of Waterfront Place. Restaurant Row is, in a direct way, making the Millwright deals close.

    Generating sales tax and lodging tax revenue that funds the rest of downtown. Hewitt Avenue’s restaurant rebuild, the Edgewater Bridge opening April 28, 2026, and the ongoing conversation about the Sound Transit Everett Link extension all have better financing math when the waterfront generates more taxable activity.

    The downtown Everett housing submarket is up 11.4% year over year while the citywide market is down 11.6%. That is not coincidental. Waterfront Place is doing exactly what the Port and the city said it would do.

    How to Visit Waterfront Place

    Waterfront Place is at the foot of Pacific Avenue in Everett, immediately west of West Marine View Drive. From I-5, take exit 194 (Pacific Avenue) and head west; the road dead-ends at the marina. Free public parking is available at multiple lots adjacent to Restaurant Row and the marina. Most tenants are reachable on foot from any parking lot within Waterfront Place.

    Sound Transit Sounder North Line provides commuter rail service to Everett Station downtown, with Community Transit bus connections to the waterfront. For a car-free Seattle day trip, this combination works well.

    Related Exploring Everett coverage:

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What restaurants are open at Waterfront Place in Everett right now?

    As of mid-April 2026: Tapped Public House (rooftop gastropub, opened March 2026), Rustic Cork Wine Bar (December 2025), The Net Shed Fresh Fish Market & Kitchen (December 2025), Menchie’s at the Marina (March 13, 2026), and Bluewater Distilling inside Hotel Indigo. Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina is opening early spring 2026.

    Where is the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place located?

    At the foot of Pacific Avenue in Everett, Washington, on 65 acres along the Port of Everett Marina. From I-5, take exit 194 and head west on Pacific Avenue.

    How big is the Port of Everett Marina?

    2,300 slips plus 5,000 linear feet of guest moorage — the largest public marina on the West Coast.

    Is there a hotel at Waterfront Place?

    Yes. Hotel Indigo Everett Waterfront is the only hotel on the property, with marina-view rooms, the Bluewater Distilling restaurant, and meeting/event space.

    What restaurant is replacing Alexa’s Cafe at Waterfront Place?

    Alexa’s Cafe did not close on its lease at Waterfront Place. The Port is actively recruiting a new breakfast-and-brunch café operator for the remaining Restaurant Row spot. No tenant has been announced as of April 2026.

    Is Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina open yet?

    Not as of mid-April 2026. The Port and the operators have stated an early spring 2026 opening. The team behind Marina Azul also operates Casa Azul Cocina & Cantina in Woodinville and Agave Cocina & Cantina in Issaquah.

    Can I dock my boat at Waterfront Place to dine?

    Yes. Guest moorage is available at the Port of Everett Marina for visiting boaters. Marina Azul, Tapped, and other tenants are within walking distance of the docks.

    What is happening with the AquaSox stadium at Waterfront Place?

    The proposed downtown AquaSox stadium is at the Funko Field-area site, not at Waterfront Place. The Everett City Council is being asked for $10.6 million in design funding on April 29, 2026. Waterfront Place is a separate Port of Everett project.

    How does Waterfront Place affect downtown Everett?

    The downtown Everett housing submarket is up 11.4% year over year while the citywide Everett market is down 11.6%. Restaurant Row foot traffic, the Hotel Indigo, and marina visitation are all underwriting downtown’s countercyclical valuations and supporting the Millwright District Phase 2 pre-leasing.

  • Everett Budget Deficit: Property Taxes & 2026 Ballot

    Everett Budget Deficit: Property Taxes & 2026 Ballot

    Q: As an Everett resident, what should I expect from the 2027 budget process?

    A: Expect at least one budget-related ballot measure in November 2026, possibly more than one. The most likely options include a Regional Fire Authority question, a Sno-Isle Libraries annexation question, and a property tax levy lid lift. Each affects your bill differently. Regional fire and library measures typically don’t raise your total tax bill day one — they move which government entity collects which portion. A levy lid lift directly raises the bill. Beyond ballots, expect a fall 2026 city budget process focused on whether to cut services, draw down reserves, or both, while the structural levers work through their longer timelines.

    If you live inside Everett city limits, the city’s $14 million 2027 budget gap is going to land on your kitchen table in three specific ways: the property tax bill that arrives in your mailbox, the services you rely on (police response times, library hours, parks staffing, road maintenance), and the ballot you receive in October 2026. This guide walks through each.

    What’s Likely on Your November 2026 Ballot

    The Everett City Council has not yet placed any 2026 budget-related measures on the ballot, but Mayor Cassie Franklin has named four structural levers under active consideration. Three of them require voter approval. The early-August 2026 deadline to finalize ballot language gives the city a defined window to decide which questions Everett residents see on November 3.

    The most likely candidates, based on Franklin’s March 6 keynote and the April 8 Council action:

    • A Regional Fire Authority question. “Yes” would create or join a multi-jurisdictional fire and EMS district funded by its own voter-approved property tax and benefit charges. Your city tax portion drops; a new RFA portion is added. Net change to your bill on day one is usually small.
    • A Sno-Isle Libraries annexation question. “Yes” would dissolve the Everett Public Library as a city department and merge Everett into the Sno-Isle district. Your city portion drops; a new Sno-Isle library portion is added. Library service continues.
    • A property tax levy lid lift. This would raise the city’s portion of your property tax above the 1 percent annual cap. The 2024 version, which voters rejected, would have added about $336 per year for the average homeowner.

    It is possible the Council places only one of these on November 2026. It is also possible it places two or three. The annexation study for the Mariner neighborhood is on a longer timeline and is not expected to produce a ballot question for current city residents in 2026.

    What Each Ballot Outcome Means for Your Bill

    RFA — yes: Your total property tax bill probably stays close to flat in year one. Long-term, the RFA has more flexibility to raise its own rates than the city does under the 1 percent cap.

    RFA — no: Fire stays in the city general fund. The city has to find $14 million somewhere else for 2027, which means deeper service cuts, a different ballot strategy, or both.

    Sno-Isle library annexation — yes: Same pattern as the RFA. Bill stays roughly flat. Library service continues, run by Sno-Isle.

    Sno-Isle library annexation — no: Library funding stays in the general fund. Library hours and programs are exposed to deeper cuts in 2027.

    Levy lid lift — yes: Your city tax portion goes up. The 2024 version was about $336 per year for the average Everett homeowner; a 2026 version may be smaller or paired with specific spending commitments.

    Levy lid lift — no: Same outcome as no RFA — the gap has to be closed elsewhere, primarily through service cuts.

    What Service Cuts Could Look Like

    The 2024 budget gap of $12.6 million produced 31 layoffs. The 2027 gap is bigger and the easy one-time tools the city used to soften 2026 — paused pension contributions, COVID-relief reserves — have largely been spent. If structural revenue moves don’t land in time, the 2027 budget would have to lean harder on operational reductions.

    Everett has not published a 2027 service cut menu, and the mayor’s preliminary budget is not expected until fall. Based on the 2024 reductions and the categories that show up first when cities face general-fund pressure, the areas most at risk include parks programming and maintenance, library hours, non-essential city positions, and the discretionary side of public safety budgets.

    Things state law largely protects from the same cuts: pensions, debt service, public safety baseline operations, and statutory programs. Things voters have specifically funded through dedicated levies (parks bonds, transportation, etc.) sit outside the general fund and are not at the same risk.

    Why the 2024 Lift Failed and What Could Change in 2026

    The April 2024 levy lid lift didn’t just lose. It lost decisively. Reading the result, the most-cited reasons in public reporting were the size of the increase (about $336/year for the average homeowner), the broad-purpose framing (general fund support rather than a specific program), and the cost-of-living context for a city that had absorbed back-to-back inflation years.

    If the city brings a measure back in November 2026, the most likely changes are some combination of a smaller ask, a shorter duration (rather than permanent), and tighter purpose framing — a “public safety” or “parks and libraries” levy with named funding commitments rather than a general-purpose lift. Other Washington cities have passed targeted measures after stand-alone general ones failed. That is the playbook to watch for.

    What You Can Do Between Now and November

    The Everett City Council holds public comment opportunities at every regular meeting (typically Wednesday evenings). The 2027 preliminary budget will be the focal civic conversation from September through November. Ballot questions get refined through summer and finalized in early August. The City of Everett’s budget portal at everettwa.gov publishes the projections, the budget book, and the meeting agendas.

    If you want a single window of high-leverage civic engagement on the 2027 budget, it is roughly June through early August 2026 — the period when the Council is deciding what to put on the ballot, what cuts to propose, and what the public is willing to support. After early August, the ballot is locked. After November, the result determines the structural shape of Everett’s budget for the next decade.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Will my Everett property tax bill go up in 2027?

    It depends on what the City Council decides to put on the November 2026 ballot and how voters respond. A levy lid lift would directly raise your bill. RFA or Sno-Isle library measures typically don’t raise the total day one — they shift which entity collects which portion.

    Will my city services be cut?

    If structural revenue moves don’t land in time, yes. The 2024 budget gap led to 31 layoffs; the 2027 gap is larger and the one-time tools have been used. The mayor’s preliminary 2027 budget is expected in the fall.

    Why does Everett have a $14 million deficit?

    Washington state law (Initiative 747, 2001) caps annual city property tax growth at 1 percent. City costs grow faster than that. The gap compounds over time and is now $14 million for the 2027 budget.

    What is a Regional Fire Authority and would I notice the change?

    An RFA is a separate Washington government entity that runs fire and EMS for multiple cities. You would still get fire service from what looks like the same department. The change is on funding and governance — a separate line on your tax bill instead of a slice of the city’s general fund.

    If Everett joins Sno-Isle Libraries, what happens to the Everett Public Library?

    The library buildings, staff, and programs would continue. Operations would be run by the Sno-Isle district, which already serves most of Snohomish County. Funding shifts from the city’s general fund to a separate Sno-Isle property tax line.

    Can I attend the City Council meetings on the budget?

    Yes. Council meetings are held Wednesday evenings at City Hall and are open to the public, with public comment periods. Meeting agendas are posted at everettwa.gov.

    Does the Mariner annexation affect my taxes if I already live in Everett?

    Not directly. Annexation would change tax rates for newly annexed Mariner residents, not for existing city residents. Annexation does affect the city’s overall fiscal picture, which can affect future service levels and budget choices.