Port, Western move forward with development entity

Bellingham Business Journal, Sept, 2008

The Port of Bellingham and Western Washington University have worked for years to bring Western to Bellingham's waterfront.

On Aug. 19, the port's board of commissioners approved a motion for the port to move forward in creating a special development entity that would be charged with executing this project.

"I believe this is an essential first step toward Western bringing its programs to the waterfront," said Doug Smith, president of the board of commissioners, in a press release. "The university will be an excellent anchor tenant and will attract additional private development that will move this project forward."

The board approval authorizes the port and university to enter into an Interlocal Agreement to create this new organization. In future meetings both boards will be asked to approve an annual operating budget, bylaws and development concepts.

"Western is very proud to be part of the historic revitalization of Bellingham's waterfront, which will provide economic and many other benefits to the community and to the state," said Western President Karen W. Morse in a press release. "Approval of the development entity provides an important mechanism for Western's move to The Waterfront District."

Details such as the final budget for the development organization and its bylaws still are being determined. The board of directors for it would consist of the university president, the port executive director, a port commissioner, a university trustee and one additional person chosen by the board. It is anticipated that the entity would be formed and the board established in 2008.