Port gives WWU nod to move ahead with waterfront plans

CAT SIEH

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BELLINGHAM - The Port of Bellingham approved an agreement Tuesday, Aug. 19, that will allow Western Washington University to move forward with plans to build new university buildings on the waterfront.

The move, hailed by port commissioners as an essential first step in spurring waterfront redevelopment, could mean much-needed campus space for Western, in addition to a prime recruitment location.

Under an agreement approved unanimously by port commissioners Tuesday, Western will partner with the port to create an independent development entity - dubbed the Viking Development - that will allow Western to ensure timely and cost-effective development of its waterfront facilities. Western's board of trustees approved a similar measure earlier this month.

The move allows the port to sell or lease at fair market value 10 to 16 acres of downtown waterfront property - about 6 percent of the 220-acre area marked for waterfront redevelopment - to Western.

The university aims to build a new home for the Huxley College of the Environment on the land. Western is also considering using the space to house the College of Business and Economics and the Northwest Consortium for Technological Innovation, among other programs.

Doug Smith, president of the port commission, said the university will serve as an anchor tenant to attract other prospective developers. Because the Viking Development doesn't require full state funding upfront, project proponents say development should be faster, while attracting private investment and saving taxpayer money.

The Viking Development board of directors will consist of representatives from Western's board of trustees and the port commission, Western's president, the port's executive director and a fifth member selected by those representatives.

Approval of the Viking Development entity doesn't commit the port or Western to a specific project or financial obligation. The Viking Development's final budget and bylaws will be reviewed by the port and Western in future meetings.

Reach Cat Sieh at cat.sieh@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2236.