The University of Washington's third branch campus should be at the Everett Station transit center, a site consultant says.

The station is already home to Everett's University Center, where Everett Community College and five state universities - including UW - already offer a range of classes leading to associate, bachelor's and master's degrees.

It's also a terminal for Everett and Community Transit buses, the northern terminus of Sound Transit's Sounder commuter rail and a stop for Amtrak trains. The 32-acre site surrounding the current building is only blocks away from the Everett Events Center.

It "leverages the region's existing urban infrastructure ... and is among the least costly solutions," architecture firm NBBJ of Seattle says.

Everett Area Chamber of Commerce President Louise Stanton- Masten - sporting a purple-and-gold "UW-Everett" sticker on her lapel - cheered the news, but reminded chamber members at a recent event that the consultant's recommendation was not the last word. The proposal still must be approved - and funded - by the Legislature.

"This is the first step in many," she said. "We've crossed the first hurdle, but there is much that needs to be done." She has urged members to "express our enthusiastic support to the governor's office."

Elected officials in Snohomish County have lobbied hard for a four-year state university, saying it's needed to supply trained workers for Boeing and the growing biotech, biomedical and composites manufacturing industries north of Seattle. The Legislature approved a proposal to study potential sites last year.

The Everett Station was one of four finalist sites NBBJ considered for the school. The short list included a second Everett location, plus sites in Marysville and Lake Stevens.

The Marysville site was NBBJ's second option. Mayor Dennis Kendall has said that the consultant's report has errors about the cost and amount of work needed to get the city's 369-acre site ready, and the city plans to lobby Olympia to correct those misconceptions.