Waterfront Revitalization: Bellingham, Everett

Bellingham: Improvements Planned for Blaine Harbor's Marine Industrial Area

The Port of Bellingham recently awarded a $750,000 contract to habilitate three deteriorated piers in Blaine Harbor. The project will create dock space and increase the load bearing capacity of the piers for commercial fishing vessels and maritime industries.

This project will repair North, South and Sawtooth Piers with new timber piles, decking, framing beneath existing cranes, bull rails and stringers. The project will also construct two sewage pump-out floats to support boaters and promote environmental stewardship.

"The port has seen an increase in demand for marine industrial property in Blaine Harbor" said Real Estate Director Shirley McFearin. "Several of our commercial seafood tenants have expressed interest in expanding operations and outside investors continue to be attracted by Blaine Harbor’s strategic location along the US/Canada border."

The port commission recently approved a long-term lease with Sundance Marine Holdings which plans to develop a $9 million dry boat storage facility in Blaine Harbor.

"Marine trades are an important part of Blaine’s local economy" said Port Commission President Dan Robbins. "The commercial seafood industry is expanding and the Port is committed to making the investments necessary to strengthen Blaine Harbor’s marine industrial area as a center for economic growth."

Everett: Columbia Hospitality Selected as Anchor Tenant for Fisherman’s Harbor

The Everett Port Commission has authorized CEO Les Reardanz to sign a long-term lease with Waterplace LLC, a partnership with Columbia Hospitality, to construct the 142-room flagship Hotel Indigo in Fisherman’s Harbor at Waterfront Place.

Hotel Indigo is branded as a lifestyle boutique hotel with luxury accommodations. The hotel will feature a restaurant, lounge, indoor swimming pool, conference center, retail shops and business center.

"The port team received proposals from three well-known and qualified hotel operators to serve as the anchor tenant for Fisherman’s Harbor," said Terrie Battuello, the port’s chief of business development. "Ultimately, we selected Columbia Hospitality because of their Hotel Indigo flag that prides their facilities on embracing the character and history of the communities that they operate in, and the Waterfront Place story is the heart and soul of this new waterfront community."

The deal includes Columbia Hospitality constructing and operating an 86,163 square-foot hotel under a 50-year land lease, with three 10-year options. Construction begins in January 2018.

"We are honored to collaborate with the Port of Everett on what will be a transformational project for the downtown Everett waterfront," said Columbia Hospitality founder and CEO, John Oppenheimer. "Our collective goal is to create an incredible destination for locals, tourists and businesses alike, stimulating economic growth for Snohomish County."