Annoyed over pace of waterfront projects, Port of Bellingham may seek new developer
The Port of Bellingham Commission plans to publicly consider this month whether to terminate a development agreement with Ireland-based Harcourt Developments, which is currently developing three luxury condo buildings along Bellingham’s waterfront.
Harcourt, which also restored the historic waterfront Granary Building in 2019, was previously selected in 2015 to be the “Master Developer” of Bellingham’s downtown waterfront, giving the company exclusive rights to develop commercial and residential projects on about 19 acres.
But after the company defaulted on its contract in 2023, the port announced Harcourt would likely lose the opportunity for future development beyond its three condo buildings. Now, the port Commission will formally consider whether to terminate that development opportunity at its May 6 meeting.
In an announcement Wednesday about the upcoming consideration, port officials said that “overall, the pace of development has not met the schedule and performance requirements set forth in the Master Development Agreement.”
The port and Harcourt entered into a lengthy legal battle related to the construction delays and several violations of state and federal environmental standards, which was more or less settled last year.
If the proposed termination agreement is approved, all property currently under exclusive development rights by Harcourt would be released to the port and “any decisions about the future of this property will be made by the port commission in open public meetings with continued public engagement and input,” the announcement states.
However, Harcourt would maintain ownership of the Granary Building and its three condo buildings along the Whatcom Waterway — the first of which is completed and welcomed residents last month, years behind schedule. Construction on the other two buildings continues.
Public comments will be accepted during the port commission meeting on May 6.
The port and the city of Bellingham have been working to redevelop a total of 237 acres on Bellingham’s central waterfront over the next several decades, which was formerly a pulp and tissue mill. A master plan has been approved to create what the port is calling “a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood with new parks and trails and thousands of new jobs.”
