A $600,000 pedestrian safety project at one of Everett's most dangerous intersections and a $3.5 million budget increase for the planned Outdoor Event Center headline the Everett City Council's Aug. 19 agenda.

Both items are first readings. Second readings are set for Aug. 26, with final votes scheduled for Sept. 2.

Pedestrian safety at Evergreen Way and Center Road

The council will hear CB 2608-42, an ordinance creating a special improvement project for pedestrian safety at Evergreen Way and Center Road. The $600,000 design phase is funded mostly by a $519,000 federal Transportation Alternatives Program grant through the Puget Sound Regional Council, with an $81,000 local match from the city's street improvement fund.

The intersection sits along the SR 99 corridor with no signalized crossing. The nearest traffic signal is 600 feet south at Airport Road. Since 2021, six vehicle-pedestrian crashes and 68 total vehicle crashes have occurred at or near the location, according to the city's agenda packet.

The Aug. 19 reading covers design only. A separate ordinance for construction funding will come to council later.

Outdoor Event Center budget rises to $20.8 million

CB 2608-43 would amend Ordinance No. 4098-25 to raise the Outdoor Event Center's cumulative budget from $17.3 million to $20.8 million. The additional $3.5 million covers property acquisition costs to satisfy a purchase and sale agreement, according to the project cover sheet.

The city plans to fund the increase through an interfund loan, with repayment via limited tax general obligation bonds consistent with Resolution 2925. The property acquisition line alone rises from $9.6 million to $13.1 million under the amendment.

The venue, planned for downtown Everett, would serve as home to the Everett AquaSox and USL professional soccer teams while also hosting concerts and civic events. The council has committed $17.3 million across three votes since August 2025, as we reported July 28 when the initial commitment passed. This amendment would bring the total to $20.8 million.

A consent resolution would authorize $2,086,017.93 in claims against the city for the period Aug. 1–7. The council will also convene an executive session; no topic is listed on the public agenda.

How to weigh in

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, at City Council Chambers, 3002 Wetmore Ave. Residents can speak remotely via Zoom by registering at everettwa.gov/speakerform at least 30 minutes before the meeting. Written comments can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to 2930 Wetmore Ave., Suite 9A, Everett, WA 98201; comments submitted 24 hours in advance will be distributed to councilmembers. The council office phone is 425-257-8703.

The meeting will be broadcast live and archived at YouTube.com/EverettCity and everettwa.gov/citycouncil.