The Port of Bellingham is seeking developers for the first
of multiple sites in its 237-acre Waterfront District that it expects to bring
to market. On May 15, the port issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a
10.8-acre portion of the District, with a deadline of mid-July.
The property being offered for redevelopment includes three
parcels in the Downtown Waterfront Area, which are expected to be zoned for
mixed use. The parcels were chosen, according to the port, because they’re in
the Waterfront District area closest to downtown, and that a key project goal
is creating strong connections to downtown so that both areas are strengthened.
Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville said it’s important to bring
potential developers into the conversation now, so the port can get feedback before
plans are finalized by the City Council and Port Commission later this year.
“This is another key step forward in our work together to
redevelop our downtown waterfront,” she said.
After the RFP response deadline in July, a team including
the port, the city, the county, Western Washington University and development
consultants are expected to evaluate responses and provide recommendations to
the Port Commission for consideration. Once a preferred developer or developers
is selected, the port would then enter into negotiations to complete the
transaction and bring a final development agreement to the Commission for
approval.
More information and the RFP can be found on the port’s
website at www.portofbellingham.com/WaterfrontRFP.
