The Port of Everett Commission approved the sale of to build the base on May 5, 1987, and the official ground breaking ceremony was November 9, 1987. Despite the groundbreaking, the Navy was unable to secure dredging permits until the following week due to opposition from environmentalist groups, who unsuccessfully appealed in court to halt construction. On September 9, 1988, the Navy awarded the $56 million construction contract for the carrier pier, which is long and wide. On June 4, 1992, three Navy ships participated in the formal opening of the new $56.4 million pier.
