This company is bringing 20 new jobs, to start, to Fairhaven waterfront property
The Port of Bellingham has landed a marine services company for a key piece of Fairhaven property.
On Tuesday, May 4, port commissioners approved a 10-year lease and a five-year option with Jeff Hamilton for the former Fairhaven Shipyard property at 200 Harris Ave. Hamilton will occupy the property with the name Fairhaven Industrial Marine Repair Facility, starting with about 20 jobs with plans to add more, according to leasing documents. The company can occupy the property now with lease payments beginning in July.
The plan is to use the 16-acre property for a variety of purposes, including marine construction/repair and to operate a fleet of vessels, said Brady Scott, the port’s senior real estate property manager. According to lease documents, Hamilton wants to consolidate his existing operations, expand his shipyard-related activities and get more into heavy marine construction. The company also plans to add cranes and a fabrication shop.
Hamilton, who spoke during the May 4 commissioner’s online meeting, said he was very appreciative of the opportunity and is familiar with the property, having done some projects nearby at The Landings at Colony Wharf. According to lease documents, he owns a variety of businesses in Alaska, Oregon and Washington, including Hamilton Construction, Hamilton Manufacturing and Skagway Commercial Company.
Over the decades, the Fairhaven property has been a key area for working waterfront jobs. Most recently Fairhaven Shipyard operated there, shutting down in 2019 after filing for bankruptcy in 2018. At the time of the bankruptcy, Fairhaven Shipyard had about 75 employees. It had about 150 employees in 2011, according to The Bellingham Herald files.
Port Commission President Ken Bell said getting a company on that property with marine-related jobs was one of the highest priorities for him, noting that he is particularly impressed by how capable this company is at getting and completing projects.
“I’m thrilled about this; (approving this lease) was one of the most impactful things this commission has done,” Bell said in a phone interview.
Bell said he expects the company to be doing plenty of boat repair work, shifting extra projects over from its other other operations.
“I’m confident that we will recoup the job loss (from the closure of Fairhaven Shipyard),” Bell said.
Port spokesman Mike Hogan said the tenants’ track record for successful operations in Whatcom and Skagit counties made them a good fit, as well as its significant work in Alaska.
“They have a fleet of vessels and perform diverse activities including marine, road and rail construction,” Hogan said in an email. “They will use all the assets at the Fairhaven Shipyard property including the marine railway and are looking to expand their shipyard activities and grow their local workforce.”
As Fairhaven Shipyard was winding down operations in 2019, the port was working on a $12.5 million environmental cleanup project of the area, which included some dredging, improving marine habitat, removing a building that was sitting over the water and rebuilding a pier.
Hogan said additional in-water and land cleanup work is needed and the port has secured a $5.8 million grant in this year’s state budget to fund the project. This project is currently in the design stage and the port will work with the new tenant to make sure disruptions are minimized.
In 2019 the port was optimistic that it could find a new tenant for the property because it was one of the few waterfront properties available in Washington state to offer zoning for marine trade work.
This story was originally published May 6, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
