Everett’s New Mural Underpass Takes Shape
Within weeks, a vibrant mural of a giant Pacific octopus will transform a key underpass into Everett’s southern gateway. Seattle-based artist Will Schlough commenced painting the work, titled the Pacific Avenue Gateway, earlier this week.
Once finished, the underpass, situated just off the main I-5 exit leading into Everett from the south, will feature a new welcome sign adorned with the city’s logo. This sign will guide visitors toward downtown and the waterfront, helping to anchor the visual identity of the city’s entrance.
Sean Kennedy, a retired project manager involved in organizing the mural, noted the lack of a formal welcome point for drivers entering the city. “Previously, as you passed beneath the underpass, the only marker pointing you toward Everett was a simple Seattle, this way,” he explained.
The initiative originated with C.J. Ebert, a local real estate developer who had envisioned such a gateway for nearly two decades. Efforts to bring the idea to fruition ramped up approximately two years ago, according to Ebert, who spoke about the project in early September.
“The aim is to create a visual and symbolic bridge between I-5 and Everett’s core areas, downtown and the waterfront,” he said. “It adds a layer of cohesion and warmth to how people experience the city.”
On the north wall of the underpass, the mural spans 120 feet in length and 15 feet in height. It portrays a Giant Pacific Octopus not just adrift in its natural habitat, but actively constructing a rocket ship, its intended passenger, a hermit crab. Schlough said the octopus motif emerged from the underpass’s spacious, cave-like setting, while the rocket-building scene reflects Everett’s historic and ongoing role in manufacturing.
“It’s a narrative approach,” Schlough said. “Rather than assembling a collage of symbols, we’re telling a cohesive story that naturally includes the region’s character and industry.”
Funding for the $100,000 project came from a mix of public and private sources. The city of Everett and the Port of Everett each provided financial support, with additional contributions from Ebert himself, Kaiser Permanente, and Skotdal Real Estate.
Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin highlighted the broader benefits of such investments in her public statement. “Public art like this doesn’t just beautify, it invites, inspires, and strengthens local identity,” she wrote. “It’s a tangible way to improve everyday life and bolster civic pride.”
Catherine Soper, the Port of Everett’s chief of business development and tourism, echoed that sentiment in her own remarks. “This upgrade to the Pacific Avenue corridor delivers both an immediate impression and a lasting one,” she said. “It reinforces the city’s welcoming tone and deepens the sense of place for residents and visitors alike.”
Schlough anticipates the mural will be completed in roughly three weeks, wrapping up in time for heightened visibility during the city’s peak seasonal traffic.
The initiative was characterized as a significant, community-led effort. The organizer expressed enthusiasm regarding the high level of public interest, noting how many residents attended to offer support and help bring the project to fruition.