The City of Everett closed on its first land purchases for the planned $120 million Outdoor Events Center in July 2026, moving the downtown stadium project from negotiation to acquisition.

The stadium site sits in the block east of Angel of the Winds Arena, between Broadway and the railroad tracks, stretching from Hewitt Avenue south to Pacific Avenue.

Businesses on the footprint include a Sherwin-Williams paint store at 2115 Pacific Ave., Everett Industrial Supply at 2201 Pacific Ave., North Cascade Building Materials at 3001 Smith Ave., and Northwest Barricade & Signs at 3011 Broadway.

Four businesses have already relocated from the site. Five more are in the process of moving, with the city providing relocation assistance, according to city project manager Scott Pattison.

As of June 25, city spokesperson Simone Tarver described negotiations with property owners as "positive" and said the eminent domain authorization was done "just in case" to keep the project on schedule.

The 5,000-seat facility would become home to the Everett AquaSox, the Seattle Mariners' minor league affiliate that plays at Funko Field. The city has also discussed hosting men's and women's USL professional soccer, though no agreement has been announced. Under a proposed lease, the city would retain 50 guaranteed days per year for its own events.

The numbers

Everett has allocated just under $18 million to the project since 2023. As of June 25, the city had signed purchase-and-sale agreements with owners of at least five of the 15 parcels it needs, had pending deals on three more, and was still negotiating with seven others.

The city council voted unanimously on Wednesday, June 25, to authorize eminent domain if negotiations fail. Council members Paula Rhyne and Judy Tuohy were absent.

A roughly $25 million funding gap remains. The city has identified potential sources, none yet formally committed, including a city bond backed by stadium revenues, contributions from Snohomish County and the state, and capital from the AquaSox and USL. The council could vote on a final funding plan as soon as August 2026.

What's next

A council agenda preview lists $1.9 million in additional funding for the events center on the Wednesday, July 22 agenda, subject to council approval.

City presentations from spring 2026 targeted a construction start in September 2026 and an opening by the end of 2027. That timeline hinges on the final funding vote expected in August.