Port of Everett Commission Actions Move $36M Mills to Maritime Project at Former Kimberly-Clark Mill Site into Construction
This month, the Port of Everett Commission unanimously authorized three significant actions that move the Port’s Mills to Maritime initiative – also known as the Norton Terminal Development & Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) 3rd Interim Action Project – from planning to construction.
The project, to be funded in part by a federal BUILD grant administered through MARAD and a Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) MTCA grant, is located at the heart of Everett’s working waterfront at the former Kimberly-Clark mill site between the Port of Everett’s international Seaport and Naval Station Everett.
Recent actions include 1) authorizing Port CEO Lisa Lefeber to sign the $17.75 million federal BUILD grant agreement from the U.S. Department of Transportation, 2) authorizing Port CEO Lefeber to award a $2.7 million construction contract with SRV Construction Inc. for the initial preload work necessary to prepare for site development (upon execution of the BUILD grant), and 3) authorizing Port staff to solicit bids for construction of the second phase of the Norton Terminal/MTCA environmental cap to bring the project to fruition.
These actions come less than 18 months from the time the Port acquired the property, which required the removal of more than 180,000 tons of contaminated soil and building rubble from the site by the previous property owner.
The Port remains on target to break ground in mid-July 2021 and the new terminal will open in fall 2022.
COMMISSION REACTION:
“It is great news that project design has reached nearly 100% for the new 33-acre Norton Terminal. Getting the federal BUILD grant executed allows us to move this critical economic development and cleanup project forward, creating near-term construction jobs and restoring long-term jobs to the site into the future.”
– Port Commissioner Tom Stiger
“This is a proud moment for the project and the Port community. This project is a major economic accomplishment by the Port in support of our regional economy and supports the Port’s overall commitment to economic development and environmental stewardship.”
– Port Commissioner David Simpson
“As a commissioner of the Port of Everett and a member of the Snohomish County Regional Apprenticeship Advisory Board, I am extremely proud that the Port of Everett will be a direct contributor to the advancement of individuals learning job skills that pay well and are sustainable.”
– Port Commissioner Glen Bachman
The Advertisement for Bids for the second phase of work is expected to publish next week. Once available, bid documents can be viewed here.
For additional information, contact Catherine Soper, Public Affairs Manager, at 425-388-0680 or by e-mail at catherines@portofeverett.com.
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About the Port of Everett’s Mills to Maritime Initiative
The Port of Everett’s $36 million Mills to Maritime initiative sets out to transform the former Kimberly-Clark (K-C) mill site into a new maritime hub to enhance the movement of commerce, restore jobs and position our region for economic recovery and cargo diversification, while achieving environmental stewardship. The effort is funded in part by a $17.75 million federal BUILD grant administered through MARAD and a $7.6 million Washington State Department of Ecology MTCA grant.
Click here to view a quick video on the site’s history and Mills to Maritime initiative.
The project is located at the heart of Everett’s working waterfront, between the Port’s international Seaport and Naval Station Everett. It follows completion of a thorough upland cleanup by the previous property owner – a requirement set as part of the Port’s purchase of the site in late-2019. With this condition in place, and the regulatory agency requirements, the Port was able to expedite remediation of the site and meet its targeted redevelopment schedule just 18 months from acquisition.
The 3rd MTCA Interim Action is being conducted by the Port under a cleanup agreement with the Washington State Department of Ecology. This integrated cleanup and redevelopment plan installs a low permeability cap over a majority of the former mill site (now Norton Terminal) to cover any residual soil contamination and improve groundwater quality. The cap will provide permanent environmental controls and a state of-the-art stormwater treatment for the first time in the property’s history, which in combination will serve to protect the health of the Puget Sound. The Port expects to break ground in mid-2021 and open Norton Terminal in 2022.
More than 800 construction jobs will be supported over both construction phases, and at full build out, the site expected to support approximately 950 direct, indirect and induced jobs.