Renters and taxpayers in Everett face two consequential votes July 29, when the City Council decides whether to commit an additional $1.9 million to the downtown Outdoor Event Center and whether to open a property tax exemption program to four-unit buildings citywide.
Both items reach their third and final reading at the 12:30 p.m. session in City Council Chambers, 3002 Wetmore Ave.
Stadium budget rises to $17.3 million
Ordinance CB 2607-36 would raise the city's Outdoor Event Center budget from $15.4 million to $17.3 million. The additional $1.9 million raises the property acquisition budget from $7.7 million to $9.6 million, according to the ordinance cover sheet.
City project manager Scott Pattison told the Snohomish County Tribune the funds are needed to purchase Parcel 12 at 2914 McDougall Ave., the former Western Facilities Supply site.
The money comes from an interfund loan that would grow from $10.6 million to $12.5 million. The city plans to repay the loan by issuing limited tax general obligation bonds.
The 5,000-seat stadium, planned for the block between Hewitt and Pacific avenues along Broadway, would host the Everett AquaSox and United Soccer League teams. Its total estimated cost is $120 million, with a roughly $25 million funding gap remaining.
City spokesperson Jason Kelly told the Snohomish County Tribune on July 22 that two private partnerships are close to being announced. "They will both be a part of the funding package," Kelly said. "That's the key discussion that must be resolved before groundbreaking."
The council has already approved purchase of four parcels for a combined $10.65 million. Of 17 properties on the site, 11 have signed purchase agreements, five remain in active negotiations, and one is pending, according to the July 22 Tribune report.
The city targets site control of all properties by September 2026.
Not everyone is on board with the pace. Everett resident Jonathan Peebles argued in a July 25 letter to the Everett Herald that the city is moving ahead with the stadium project before providing residents with a complete financial plan, noting that private-sector negotiations remain in progress while major commitments are being made.
Housing tax break opens to smaller buildings
Ordinance CB 2606-35 would lower the Multifamily Tax Exemption program's minimum eligibility from 16 units to four units and expand the program into Neighborhood Residential and Urban Residential 4 zones across the city.
City planning staff project the change could help produce up to 100 additional housing units per year, according to the Everett Herald's July 20 reporting. The ordinance aligns with the Everett 2044 Comprehensive Plan, which identifies NR and UR4 zones as having combined capacity for more than 8,000 units.
Between 2019 and 2025, areas now zoned NR produced zero buildings with four or more units, and the UR4 zone produced just six multifamily projects containing 155 units, according to the city's development review.
The MFTE expansion aims to change that math by making smaller projects financially viable.
The city's financial analysis shows MFTE participation redistributes the property tax levy within the affected tax code area rather than reducing revenue to taxing districts. T
he ordinance had a public hearing July 15 and cleared the Planning Commission without substantive concerns.
How to weigh in
Residents who want to speak at Wednesday's meeting can register via Zoom at everettwa.gov/speakerform no later than 30 minutes before the meeting. Written comments can be emailed to [email protected] at least 24 hours before the meeting or mailed to 2930 Wetmore Avenue, Suite 9A, Everett, WA 98201. The council office phone is 425-257-8703.
The meeting streams live at YouTube.com/EverettCity. The next council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12.
