Everett council approves initial funding, property actions to advance downtown outdoor event center

Everett — The Everett City Council voted Wednesday to move forward on the Everett Outdoor Event Center, approving $4.8 million in initial funding and a series of contracts and acquisition steps intended to keep the AquaSox and a proposed U.S. soccer partner in downtown Everett.

Council members approved the first set of actions related to the project — including initial budget appropriations for planning and property option funds, an ordinance authorizing acquisition including eminent domain as a last resort, and professional services and design-build agreements — after a two-hour public comment period and a staff briefing that laid out a projected “game-ready” budget of about $82 million.

The council’s action clears the way for property negotiations, more detailed design work and lease negotiations with private partners. “It’s time we raise the bar,” Scott Pattison, city staff lead on the project, told the council. “This is not just another project. It’s a bold statement.”

Why this matters: City staff and their consultants said the downtown site could deliver a multiuse outdoor facility that would host baseball (AquaSox), a U.S. Soccer League (USL) team and year-round events. Consultants described a funding mix intended to limit the city’s operating burden by securing private capital and long-term leases; residents and business owners raised concerns about displacement, property acquisition, and whether the estimated $82 million total cost is realistic.

What the council approved and what it means - Initial budget and appropriation: Council passed Ordinance (council bill 2505-30) to establish a $4,800,000 special improvement project fund to pay…