Partners extend CWEDA agreement

The Camas-Washougal Economic Development Association is receiving differing levels of support from three local entities. The Camas City Council voted 7-0 last night, to approve the renewing of an interlocal agreement with Washougal and the Port of Camas-Washougal to continue the association. The Camas 2014 budget includes $50,000 for CWEDA. A week earlier, the Washougal City Council voted 5 to 2, in favor of renewing the agreement with Camas and the port to continue the association. The vote was the same for a continuation of economic development services with CWEDA. The interlocal agreement, which is in perpetuity, maintains an option to terminate the notice by Sept. 1 of each year, with termination effective the following year. Dave Shoemaker and Joyce Lindsay voted “nay.” The Washougal 2014 budget includes $50,000 for CWEDA. Prior to the votes, Shoemaker said he would prefer that amount be spent toward the salary of an additional officer for the Washougal Police Department. He said there is no meaningful evidence that CWEDA is benefitting Washougal. “The contracting process used to create CWEDA was rushed and inadequately thought out,” Shoemaker said. “Subsequent attempts to improve it have not been adequate.” Lindsay said she concurred with Shoemaker. “I do understand the role of the port for the economic development of the city of Washougal, but $50,000 is coming from Washougal taxpayers for development in Washougal,” she said. “As I see it now, most of that development is coming through Lone Wolf and Killian Pacific.” Councilman Paul Greenlee said economic development is similar to gardening or landscaping. “The worst thing you can do is pull up the plant to see if it’s growing,” he said. “It takes time for these kinds of results.” The professional services agreement lists strategic planning services provided by CWEDA that include identifying implementation measures for creating a business friendly environment, attracting new businesses to the Camas-Washougal area and assisting existing businesses with expansion plans as well as helping to retain existing businesses. CWEDA is also expected to develop and maintain an inventory of local land and buildings available for business development. The Port of Camas-Washougal Commission voted 3-0, on Dec. 3, in favor of renewing the interlocal agreement with Camas and Washougal. The port’s 2014 budget includes $100,000 for CWEDA. CWEDA board approves funding for waterfront analysis Meanwhile CWEDA board members Scott Higgins, Sean Guard and Mark Lampton approved the expenditure of $15,500 Thursday, for a waterfront market and development scenario analysis of the former Hambleton Lumber Company property. Killian Pacific will pay $7,500 for the economic consulting services by E.D. Hovee & Company, LLC. Last year, the property sale from Hambleton Brothers Lumber Company, Inc., to Killian Pacific totalled approximately 26.5 acres, at 335 S. “A” St., Washougal. The port purchased one-half of the parcel with $6.07 million. A mixed-use development, with the potential for condominiums and townhouses, is expected to be among the components of the Parker’s Landing LLC project. The LLC is represented by Lance Killian, of Killian Pacific. An anchor store or co-anchors would be needed to draw people, and smaller businesses and shops would supplement that, according to Killian. The port plans to develop a waterfront trail and park at the waterfront site. The consulting services by Eric Hovee will include an overview of waterfront developments nationally and in the Pacific Northwest, and the quantification of demographic trends and forecasts regarding local and regional household incomes, ages, education and employment. The services by Hovee are expected to take four to five months to complete. They will also include a description of anticipated market support for achieving build-out and a summary of pros and cons regarding site improvement needs, potential impacts to neighboring development, and community and public sector benefits. “Washougal should see the value in this,” Higgins said, prior to the CWEDA board vote. “I’m glad we’re good partners.” He emphasized that the waterfront analysis does not involve any businesses within the city limits of Camas. “We’re playing as a team, as a region,” Higgins said.

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