Port of Everett Breaks Ground on First Phase of Retail Development at Waterfront Place
Today, the Port of Everett, alongside project partners and community members, broke ground on two new waterfront retail buildings, bringing new restaurants and offices to Fisherman’s Harbor — the first phase of the Port’s 65-acre Waterfront Place mixed-use development.
The groundbreaking marks the first retail parcels to be built at the waterfront in just over a decade, with plans to build at least one or two new buildings each year to reach full build out by 2026.
Port officials, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin and future tenants shared remarks at the event, followed by a ceremonial groundbreaking to commemorate the milestone.
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“We have been strategically investing in this destination waterfront, and in the process, have created a new high-demand marketplace,” Port Commission President Tom Stiger said. “All together, we’ve got about $150 million in public and private investment here, which has allowed us to reach this important next step in the project.”
The two new buildings under construction now, located near the Port’s Pacific Rim Plaza, 1028 13th St., Everett, are set to house the new Asian-inspired Fisherman Jack’s restaurant and South Fork Bakery, as well as Everett-based offices for Bellingham Yachts, Freedom Boat Club and Waterline Boats.
The project will also add gathering spaces and public restrooms.
“This area was the industrial hub of Everett when the Port was formed more than a century ago – it has now become a hub of the revitalization for all of Everett,” Port of Everett CEO Lisa Lefeber said. “Not only are these investments creating a new vibrancy here, but also, creating new jobs.”
At completion of Fisherman’s Harbor, the area is expected to support approximately 900 new direct, indirect and induced jobs, in addition to temporary construction jobs. At full build out of Waterfront Place, 2,100 jobs are expected to be supported in total.
Waterfront Place has been a shared vision for the Port of Everett and City of Everett for more than two decades.
“I am thrilled to be here to celebrate another groundbreaking at Fisherman’s Harbor,” City of Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin said. “This is going to be another fantastic expansion to our beautiful and growing waterfront, offering fabulous restaurants and additional business opportunities. This waterfront has been a best-kept secret for far too long, and the Port’s leadership and vision has really put Everett on the map.”
The new Fisherman’s Harbor buildings were designed by architectural firm Cushing Terrell, in coordination with Waterfront Place engineering firm PND Engineers.
The timber-themed designs pay homage to the site’s historic mill town roots.
Fisherman’s Harbor is the first public/private development district within the Port’s 1.5 million square foot Waterfront Place development. The current project builds out about 8,600 square feet of the expected 26,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, plus expansive outdoor patio space, slated for development in this district.
All five businesses are expected to open in the 2022/2023 timeframe.
The next phase of Waterfront Place is already in the works. The Port is currently reviewing qualifications of mixed-use developers to build out the neighboring Millwright District. This area represents the largest mixed-use phase of Waterfront Place, with up to 56,518 square feet of retail, 181,894 square feet of commercial, and 190 multi-family housing units.
The Port expects to announce the selected developer in December.
For more information, contact Catherine Soper, Communications Director, by phone at 425-388-0680 or via email at catherines@portofeverett.com.
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About Waterfront Place
The Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place is a new 1.5 million square foot mixed-use development located on 65-acres at the waterfront near the downtown core in Everett, Washington. The development boasts spectacular views, waterfront access, recreational amenities and a world class marina – that largest public Marina on the West Coast – with 2,300 slips and 5,000 linear feet of guest moorage. At full build out, the Waterfront Place mixed-use development will include 63,000 square feet (sf) of retail/restaurant space, another 20,000 sf of marine retail, 447,500 sf of office, two waterfront hotels, and up to 660 waterfront housing units. Featured amenities include new trails and regional parks together with public gathering spaces, a variety of fine and casual dining, local shops and marine sales and services. The project’s expected $550+ million in public/private investment is expected to support nearly 2,100 family-wage jobs and generate $8.6 million annually in state and local sales taxes. To date, the Port has facilitated more than $150 million in public/private investment here, with more to come.