November 1, 2024 — Green technologies and reducing carbon footprints, recapitalizing facilities and integrating grant strategies with redevelopment strategies, focusing on infrastructure, especially maintenance of aging structures…these are just a few of the issues that Executive Director Lisa Lefeber lists as priorities for the Port of Everett, located at the mouth of the Snohomish River in Washington.
As the APP’s newest Port Member, Lefeber hopes to hear from other port representatives on their own experiences with the same issues. “We’re not the only ones facing challenges,” Lefeber said. “And while we’re a very different port from, say Seattle or Long Beach, the issues we all have are similar.” Indeed, sharing best practices and solutions to these issues is what the APP is all about.
Background
The Port of Everett celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2018. Looking back to 1918, the citizens of Everett were hoping to capitalize on the maritime boom caused by World War I and voted to establish the Port. The war ended a few months following the referendum and the Port of Everett instead became a major lumber and shingle trader. Commercial fishing also played a significant role in the early development of the Port with the first canneries opened in the 1920s, followed by fish-processing facilities in the 1940s.
The 1940s also saw the establishment of the Everett-Pacific Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company which became an important part of national war efforts, but it was facilitating the import of parts for Boeing aircraft starting in the 1960s that set the stage for the future of Everett, leading to the development of several terminal facilities.
In the 1980s, the Port sold acreage to the U.S. Navy for a new military installation. As one of 13 ports identified as part of the Navy’s Strategic Homeport Initiative, Naval Station Everett (NSE) saw no fewer than seven naval ships assigned to the base as well as U.S. Coast Guard vessels. Today, the NSE is a major contributor to the Snohomish County economy — for the fiscal year 2017, the Station contributed almost $300 million to the region and supported almost 4,000 jobs.
The Port of Everett today
The Port of Everett supports more than 40,000 jobs and contributes $433 million to state and local taxes. The three-member Port Commission is responsible for establishing policy and planning for the Port, including a five-year Capital Improvement Plan and associated budgets. At present, the Commission includes:
- President Tom Stiger is currently on his fourth term, Mr. Stiger was born and raised in Everett and enjoyed a 27-year career at the Everett School District where he was a teacher and administrator (including as principal of two local high schools). He also owns local family businesses, including Abbey Carpet & Floor / Bayside Supply in Everett and Major Brands Floor Supply in Seattle.
- Vice President David Simpson was first elected to the Port Commission in 2019. He graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in U.S. History and brings more than 45 years of combined public/private sector experience to the Port, including 30 years in the aviation industry with 24 years in manufacturing engineering for The Boeing Company and another six years as an aviation mechanic for the U.S. Navy.
- Secretary Glen Bachman was elected in 2013 and has extensive experience in retail property management. He grew up in Seattle and obtained various business administration credentials from both Everett Community College and Eastern Washington University. He sits on the board of the Washington Retail Association and is also a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, a past ICSC Western Regional Government Relations Chair and a past Western Washington International Real Estate Management Association President.
The Port Commissioners are active in the industry, each participating on a variety of boards and committees including participation with the Aerospace Futures Alliance, American Association of Port Authorities, Economic Alliance Snohomish County, Greater Seattle Partners, Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance, Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, Puget Sound Partnership, Puget Sound Regional Council, Washington Council on International Trade, Washington Public Ports Association and more.
Under their guidance, Executive Director Lisa Lefeber has led the Port to new heights. Promoted from Deputy Executive to the new position in 2019, Lefeber originally joined the Port in 2005 as Chief of Policy and Communication. In 2016, she was selected to lead the Port’s seaport modernization efforts, which included more than a $100 million in infrastructure investment. She is a seasoned professional with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Seattle University and an undergraduate degree in journalism from Western Washington University.
The Port of Everett has three main lines of business — international shipping terminals, marina facilities, and real estate development. The following is a brief outline of these sectors.
Seaport
Located 25 miles north of Seattle, the Port of Everett is the second largest export customs district in Washington State and ranks fifth overall on the U.S. West Coast. It is the third largest container port in Washington and a designated MARAD Strategic Commercial Seaport — one of only 18 nationwide. “We’re very much a breakbulk facility, handling high-value conventional and oversized cargo,” said Lefeber, noting that the Port serves as an extension of the aerospace manufacturing process for Boeing and accommodates all oversized, ocean-going components for the 767, 777, 777X and K-C Tanker airplane programs. “We don’t have a regular liner service which means we’ve learned to be extremely flexible with our infrastructure and equipment to be able to adapt to any new cargo opportunity that comes up.”
As the closest facility to the Far East, Alaska and Canada, Everett’s Seaport supports nearly $21 billion worth of U.S. exports annually. They are located on the BNSF mainline and are recognized for their quick turnaround times and lack of seaport congestion as well as an excellent on-dock rail with 12,500 lineal feet (lf) of rail capacity spanning the length of the shipping terminals.
In total, the Port has eight shipping berths spanning over 125 acres of seaport facilities including 58,000 square feet (sf) of covered storage.
- The primary container and breakbulk facility — Pacific Terminal — has 650 feet of usable berth length with a 12-meter water depth at pier, a 15-acre paved and lighted yard plus two 40-ton gantry cranes plus 100-ton and 150-ton mobile harbor cranes.
- The South Terminal is the Port’s most modern facility and supports container, RO-RO, breakbulk and project cargoes. It has a 700-foot wharf berth, a 900-foot RO-RO berth and is support by two 100-foot-gauge container cranes plus a 13-acre paved and lighted yard space as well as 22,000 sf of transit shed and its rail spur connects into the BNSF mainline.
- Pier 1 North and South offers two berths with lengths of 600 feet to support containerized, breakbulk, RO/RO and forest product cargoes. If has 100-ton and 150-ton mobile harbor cranes plus four rail spurs and 12,500 lf of terminal rail, direct BNSF mainline access and a locomotive pusher. There is a 15-acres paved and lighted yard plus a 36,000 sf multipurpose warehouse facility.
- Pier 3 North and South provides for another two 650-foot berths, accommodating general, breakbulk and project cargoes, forest products and bulk cement handling. Like Pier 1, it also has a 15-acre paved and lighted yard but also has a 55,000-ton bulk cement storage dome.
- Mount Baker Terminal, located in South Everett, is the Port’s satellite shipping facility that serves regular aerospace cargo shipments between Japan and Everett. The on-dock rail has direct access to the BNSF mainline and includes a 50-ton, rail-mounted straddle gantry crane.
- Hewitt Terminal, primarily used for shipyard work, has an 815-foot berth and is adjacent to a 36,000 sf upland warehouse.
- Norton Terminal is a new, 40-acre cargo terminal with a 40-acre paved, lit and secure cargo yard and infrastructure to support short-sea shipping. It has the potential for adaptive reuse of an existing 396,000 sf warehouse
Public marina
The Port of Everett Marina is the largest public marina on the West Coast with 2,300 permanent boat slips and an additional 5,000 lf of guest moorage. Permanent moorage options range from 20 to 143 feet and with both open and covered options. Guest moorage of more than 5,000 lf is steps away from world-class amenities, restaurants and outdoor activities.
Marina facilities include a six-acre, environmentally compliant work yard that is paved, fully fenced, well-lit and includes 72 full-service stalls equipped with power and water. The facility is available for either do-it-yourself or professional work and has retail, service and repair businesses nearby as well as boat sales and storage, canvas and upholstery, engine repair and parts, marine supplies, woodwork, paint and more.
The jewel in the crown at the marina is the largest boat launch in Washington State. With 13 lanes and ample parking, the launch can accommodate everything from small power boat to kayaks.
Real estate
Another key part of the Port of Everett’s portfolio is the 3,300 acres of property it owns and manages to promote and benefit regional economic activity, create jobs and support a healthy environment. With roughly half of the acreage developed for international shipping facilities, marine transportation, light and heavy industry, commercial mixed-use, and recreational boating, the other half of waterfront property is dedicated to tourism and public access and habitat sites. The area boasts more than four miles of continuous waterfront trail system, picnic shelters, parks and plazas, a splash fountain, and year-round special events including waterfront concerts, outdoor movies, car shows, festivals, half marathons and more. The area is also well known for bird and wildlife watching, kite flying, kiteboarding, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding.
Of particular note, the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place is a new 1.5 million square foot mixed-use development being developed across 100 acres surrounded by its marina facilities. “We have a very deliberate strategy of incorporating public/private mixed use in and around our working waterfront,” said Lefeber, adding that it is important to the Port Commission to deliver a balanced waterfront. “The Port of Everett is the master developer and, upon completion, the project is expected to generate more than $1 billion in public-private investments plus support more than 2,100 direct, indirect and induced jobs, and generate $8.6 million in additional tax revenue.”
At completion, Waterfront Place will include 63,000 square feet of retail/restaurant space, another 20,000 sf of marine retail, 447,500 sf of office, two waterfront hotels, and up to 660 waterfront housing units, new trails and regional parks, public gathering spaces, a variety of fine and casual dining, local shops, and marine sales and services. To date, the Port has facilitated more than $350 million in public/private investment, with more underway today.
Looking to the future
A key milestone for the Port of Everett was reached with the Strategic Seaport Designation received from the U.S. Department of Defense. “We are one of only 18 ports in the entire U.S. that have this designation,” said Lefeber. “Our facilities can be ready within 48 hours for mobilization in support of Naval Station Everett. We had worked on this for many years and our Capital Improvement Plan has been built around identified deficiencies. Norton Terminal, our newest cargo terminal was the final piece that allowed us to earn the designation in 2021.”
The Port’s Capital Improvement Plan is a rolling five-year strategy set by the Port Commission to enhance Port business lines and support jobs, trade, commerce and recreation. The current plan (2024 to 2028) includes 46 projects that cover such initiatives as modernizing the Seaport to support the movement of commerce with a focus on green technologies; building out public infrastructure and mixed-use elements at Waterfront Place; recapitalizing and upgrading marine infrastructure; exploring new economic development opportunities; and cleanup of legacy contamination along the waterfront.
Top of mind for Lefeber is the focus on integrating grant strategies with redevelopment strategies to be able to achieve the goals of reducing the Port’s carbon footprint while continuing to serve customers in a competitive market. “This is especially true when looking at the Seaport and its infrastructure needs,” said Lefeber. “Because the cargo we handle doesn’t fall within a regular liner service, it makes budgeting a challenge.” Lefeber added that other issues have an impact on budgets and capital planning – specifically, a small district boundary which limits borrowing capabilities, the current Boeing strike which impacts Port activity, and restrictions on foreign investment due to its proximity to Naval Station Everett. Going forward, the Port is looking to rely more on state and federal funding.
Another focus for Lefeber and the Port Commission is the maintenance of the public marina. “With the exception of our North Marina and some newer portions of our Central Docks, the original infrastructure dates back to the 1960s through to the 1980s,” she said. “There are challenges in addressing the regulatory side of projects – permitting and mitigation for maintenance projects that can delay or add as much as 30 percent on to a planned project.”
Lefeber balances the challenges of achieving the Port’s goals with ensuring the community understands the importance of the Port. “We spend a lot of time engaging with the community and being responsive to their needs,” she said. “Our philosophy is to be as transparent as possible when it comes to port activities. While we may not always agree with each other, it’s important that the community is aware of and understands why we’re doing what we’re doing.” She added that the Port is always looking for ways to integrate “fun” things for the community – free concerts and waterfront events – to further foster its relationship with the public and provide visibility into the Port’s regional value. “We’re always looking for ways to connect so that when issues do arise, we’re able to have meaningful dialogues.”
From the APP’s perspective, members of the Association will be well served by the insights and ideas of Lefeber and the Commissioners at the Port of Everett. We look forward to working with you!
