October 16, 2023

Vision for Mukilteo waterfront: more dining, walking trails and entertainment space

Renderings by Stephanie Bower courtesy of Port of Everett [enlarge]

Artist rendering showing a redeveloped waterfront from Lighthouse Park in the south, to Edgewater Beach in the north.

The port of Everett and city of Mukilteo are currently working towards finalizing a formal partnership structure to move development forward at the Mukilteo waterfront, which stretches over 26 acres from Lighthouse Park to Edgewater Beach.

The duo last week released a series of early artist design renderings showing what that future redevelopment could look like.

The renderings, created by Stephanie Bower, depict a bustling waterside destination redeveloped with new buildings offering ample dining options, promenade-style walking trails, outside space for entertainment, and a diversity of places to sit, gather, and enjoy the water.

A total of 11 entities, including the port and city, currently own property at the waterfront.

[enlarge]

This rendering depicts large promenades, ample public seating, and new outside entertainment space.

The redevelopment effort, which is still in its conceptual phases, was spurred in 2020 when the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) decided not to move forward with its plans to replace an aging research station located at 802 Front St. with a new facility. Following the decision, the station was decommissioned, and the property subsequently transferred to the port. The port has since demolished the structure, opening-up more direct access to the waterfront.

Last year, the port further added to its holdings at the Mukilteo waterfront with the purchase of a parcel of land at 707 Front St., which was formerly used as holding lanes for vehicles at the old Mukilteo ferry terminal.

Both the former NOAA and ferry terminal parcels are included in the broader redevelopment vision.

In January 2022, the port and city hired Seattle-based architect NBBJ to begin initial planning, including data gathering and community engagement, to help inform the vision and future for development at the waterfront. Last July, based on that feedback, a vision statement and set of guiding principles were officially adopted.

The vision statement reads: “Mukilteo's Waterfront is a welcoming and convenient gathering place. It provides a year-round mix of uses that promotes culture, recreation, and entertainment. It offers easy access to the beach, businesses, and wonders of the Salish Sea.”

These elements are reflected in the new design renderings which show what the port and city describe as “a vibrant waterfront with access to the water, walking trails, dining, culture, and a place to enjoy magnificent views of the sea, islands and mountains.”

In a press release announcing the latest developments, the port and city said, “while still preliminary in nature, the renderings are meant to provide the community with visuals that reflect the unified vision and guiding principles adopted last year by the Port Commission and City Council following extensive waterfront stakeholder engagement, council feedback and community input.”

Community members, regional users and visitors of the Mukilteo waterfront are invited to attend an open house and share their thoughts about the renderings on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the Rosehill Community Center at 304 Lincoln Ave. in Mukilteo.

The event will take place in the Point Elliott Room between 4 – 7 p.m. Port and city representatives will be in attendance to discuss the latest happenings with waterfront development planning.