The Port of Everett revealed Aug. 11 that its port commission has approved the purchase of a former ferry terminal to preserve the property for the future redevelopment of the Mukilteo waterfront.
The port is buying the property for $3.5 million, and is expected to pay $1.5 million at closing and the remaining $2 million over a 10-year period. The sale is slated to close on Sept. 2.
The site was formerly leased by Washington State Ferries until a new ferry terminal opened in 2020. The port said that it’s purchasing the .89 acres, located at 707 Front Street, from Mukilteo Landing LLC, to ensure the site’s optimal development potential “strikes a balance with the community’s desires for the future of the waterfront.”
“Mukilteo Landing LLC is pleased that the Port of Everett had the vision to incorporate the property as a significant and strategic piece of the developing Mukilteo Waterfront Plan,” Mukilteo Landing spokesman Patrick McCourt said.
In June, a vision and set of guiding principles for the redevelopment of the Mukilteo waterfront was approved by the port and City of Mukilteo.
“I’m looking forward to this continued partnership with the port to realize our vision for the waterfront,” Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine said.
The next step, according to the port, is determining a partnership agreement to allow the planning process to move forward. The planning area stretches from Lighthouse Park to Edgewater Beach.
“This acquisition is consistent with the unified vision for the waterfront adopted by the Port Commission and Mukilteo City Council,” Port Commissioner Tom Stiger said. “This is certainly a step in the right direction. The community will be well-served as the port works with the City of Mukilteo to redevelop the waterfront.”
As part of the purchase and sale agreement, Mukilteo Landing is expected to perform sealcoating, striping and landscaping at the site to support a temporary parking lot to meet waterfront users’ needs as the planning process evolves. A total of 99 parking spaces are expected to open for the public.
The parking is an interim solution to provide people with more access to the waterfront until a complete plan can be developed, approved and constructed, Port of Everett CEO Lisa Lefeber explained.