The elevator serving the Grand Avenue Park bridge in Everett has resumed operations on a provisional basis following several months of inactivity caused by vandalism, city officials confirmed on Friday.
The lift was taken out of service on July 9 after an individual ignited a firework and tossed it into the cabin while the doors were closing. The resulting explosion necessitated repairs to the elevator’s interior walls and flooring. Procurement of the required replacement components extended the timeline for returning the equipment to full function.
Constructed in 2020 at a cost of $20 million, the bridge provides a vital accessible link for residents in the northern part of the city, enabling pedestrians and wheelchair users to reach the Port of Everett marina area, which houses various retail and hospitality establishments.
This is not the first instance of vandalism affecting the ADA-compliant structure. The elevator experienced similar disruptions in 2020 and on two separate occasions in 2024. Without this lift, the nearest alternative accessible route to Marine View Drive is located across 25th Street, a distance of nearly one mile.
Simone Tarver, a city spokesperson, indicated in a Friday email that the recent maintenance work was designed to restore service quickly. More durable repairs are scheduled to commence later this year.
When those permanent fixes begin, the elevator will require another period of closure. While the precise start date and duration of that interruption remain undetermined, municipal authorities anticipate the downtime will be brief.