Four developers interested in Washougal waterfront

Four development firms have expressed interest in revitalizing more than 26 acres of prime waterfront land near the Washougal Waterfront Park and Trail. The firms, which include three Portland-based companies, all have experience in mixed-use projects and some have developed waterfront property in other states. Project^, RKm Development, Terra Pacific Development, LLC and Williams/Dame & Associates, Inc., recently submitted their qualifications to the Port of Camas-Washougal. Port staff -- along with Brian Vanneman and Wally Hobson of the Portland-based Leland Consulting Group, which is working with the port to oversee the selection of a development firm -- plan to interview all four firms in February and continue discussions with one or two of the development teams. The Port of Camas-Washougal waterfront property, zoned highway commercial, is located on part of the former Hambleton Lumber Company property, at 54 S. Second St., Washougal. The following is a more in-depth look at each of the development firms interested in transforming the waterfront property: Project^ Tom Cody, the managing partner of the Portland-based Project^, said he and key staff members imagine an active-lifestyle retail center, anchored by a mixed-use business park with at least one community use, along the Port of Camas-Washougal waterfront. Cody's letter to Port of Camas-Washougal Chief Executive Officer David Ripp said the future waterfront development could be a family-friendly destination with an artisan natural grocery store, recreational and water sports stores and a civic use such as a community center and swimming pool or a night market. "There is much promise for tourism in the form of a waterfront hotel, access to water recreation, children's play and a unique shopping experience along the Columbia," Cody stated in his letter. The Project^ submittal of qualifications mentioned that all of the firm's new construction projects have received either Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or Earth Advantage Certification. Field Office, a 300,000-square-foot office campus in Portland, earned LEED platinum certification with features such as a solar array, green roofs, water efficient fixtures and a bike-lounge and locker room. As a member of the group "1% for the Planet," Project^ donates at least 1 percent of its sales to nonprofit partners primarily focused on environmental issues. The Project^ portfolio also includes three Portland-based projects: the Nature Conservancy's Oregon headquarters, which features a rooftop deck; ArtHouse, with a cafe and two retail stores; and Union Way, with shops and restaurants. Terra Pacific Development, LLC Jeff Nomi, a co-managing member of Terra Pacific Development, LLC, of Issaquah, Washington, said he and his team see a unique development opportunity highlighted by river frontage, mountain views and trail systems, but also challenged by the realities of market constraints. Nomi said riverfront commercial projects are typically financially challenged and need a significant residential component to make them feasible. "Even if such a mixed-use development is feasible, commercial tenants will demand to see a significant portion of the residential units occupied before committing to a lease," he stated in his letter to the port. Nomi said he and his team would help the port find a proper balance between the constraints. Comparable project experience for Terra Pacific includes the redevelopment of a retail, dining and office hub in Laguna Beach, California; and Rivermark, a 2,000-unit mixed-use project in Silicon Valley, California. RKm Development Roy Kim, the managing partner of RKm Development, of Portland, said he envisions the Port of Camas-Washougal waterfront as a "nucleus for the region's retail, commercial office and residential needs." That would include a multi-use area for dining, shopping and family friendly entertainment. RKm Development's comparable projects include Downtown Rockwood, a mixed-use office, multi-family residential, plaza and play area on 5.5 acres in Gresham, Oregon; LaScala, a mixed-use building with ground-floor retail shops in Beaverton, Oregon; and Bethany Village, a mixed-use town center with retail, apartments, condominiums, offices, an athletic club and senior living, in Portland. Williams/Dame & Associates, Inc. T.B. Dame, president, and James Atkins, vice president, of the Portland-based Williams/Dame & Associates, Inc., said they envision creating a waterfront development strategy, developing a financial plan and identifying uses within the development. Homer Williams, chairman of Williams/Dame, is credited with leading the development of Hoyt Street Yards, a 34-acre mixed-use development in Portland's Pearl District. The company also led the development of Portland's South Waterfront Central District, creating multiple city blocks, adding public infrastructure, parks and transportation, expanding the Portland Streetcar service and adding a commuter aerial tram. Williams/Dame recently entered into an agreement with the city of Eugene, Oregon's urban renewal agency, to redevelop 16 acres along the Willamette riverfront in downtown Eugene. The new development will include a mix of market-rate and affordable housing, commercial businesses, a restaurant and a hotel. The company also is developing a mixed-use complex on city hall property in Wood Village, Oregon.

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