RiverWalk

November 17, 2009 – Port of Camas Washougal Announces Court Date [See News Release]

August 6, 2009 - Port of Camas-Washougal Awarded Fees in RiverWalk Arbitration. [See News Release]

August 6, 2009 - Read the Motion to Confirm Arbitration Award [Here]

May 29, 2009 - Port Prevails in Arbitration. [Press Release]

RiverWalk on the Columbia: Embracing an opportunity to create something special for Washougal and enhance connectivity to the Columbia River - a concept shaped by the values and vision of the community.

The Port has entered into an agreement with RiverWalk on the Columbia LLC to jointly study a mixed-use development that is conducive to the enjoyment of current and future generations.

March 17, 2008 – ARBITRATION PROCESS INITIATED - Waterfront Redevelopment Agreement Enters Arbitration Process

November 5, 2007 – UPDATE ON RIVERWALK - Waterfront Redevelopment Agreement Expires, Discussion Stalls

November 5, 2007 – COMMISSION PRESIDENT STATEMENT -
"I know many of you are anxious to hear the update on the proposed waterfront redevelopment project" [more]

June 11, 2007 – A follow-up meeting to the WAC presentation on June 6th, port commissioners will begin discussion on the recommendations in the WAC final report.

June 6, 2007 – WAC presents their final report in a workshop with the Port commissioners on the recommended  waterfront features for the proposed riverfront redevelopment project.

Final Report of the Waterfront Advisory Committee to the Port of Camas-Washougal

Final Report (with Table of Contents)

Appendix A – Members of the Waterfront Advisory Committee (See list of committee members, left side of page)

Appendix B – Summary of Public Opinion / Input to WAC 

Appendix C – Compilation of Public Comments from Open House, WAC Meetings, U.S. Mail, and Email.

Appendix D – List of Reports & Reference Materials Available to WAC

Appendix E – Committee Agendas and Summaries – (See Summaries at left, and Agendas here)

April 11, 2007 – Arnold Cogan, Facilitator of the Waterfront Advisory Committee, has compiled the public comments received in response to the Open House held March 28th at the Port of Camas/Washougal: Public Open House – SUMMARY.

March 29, 2007 – More than 250 citizens filled the Port of Camas-Washougal lobby and conference room last evening to view and comment on a diverse range of preferred waterfront development concepts and architectural features presented by the port-appointed Waterfront Advisory Committee (WAC).

March 21, 2007 – The Waterfront Advisory Committee (WAC), appointed by the Port of Camas-Washougal, invites the public to view and comment on a diverse range of preferred architectural features selected for a proposed waterfront development at a public Open House on Wednesday, March 28, 2007, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the port’s main administration office, 24 South ‘A’ Street, Washougal, Wash.

March 15, 2007 - Waterfront Advisory Committee. Plans Open House. The Waterfront Advisory Committee of the Port of Camas/Washougal will hold an Open House on Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at the Port’s Main Office, 24 South ‘A’ Street, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., for the public to view and comment on the features the Committee has compiled for the proposed waterfront development. These features will be presented on idea boards. The Committee wants to make it clear that the features are ideas of what might be in the development. No decisions have been made on the features or their location. The Committee will take all comments – which will be written down – back to their next WAC meeting on April 11th for consideration. The Committee is looking forward to hearing from the community.

January 9, 2007 – With an eye towards the vision of future generations, the Port of Camas-Washougal has appointed Washougal High School student Ashley Eckman to the Waterfront Advisory Committee (WAC). The WAC, which has held monthly work sessions since October 2006, and is gearing up for more frequent meetings in the new year, is tasked with providing recommendations to the Port Commission and City of Washougal on suggested uses for the waterfront along the Columbia River as part of the proposed RiverWalk On The Columbia development.

“My interests in serving on the committee include reserving an area for parks and open spaces, and to create something that both adults and kids alike will enjoy,” stated Eckman. “I hope that my presence on the committee will serve as a voice for a younger generation -- many who potentially will use these facilities once they are built for years to come.”

October 31, 2006 - Embarking on a multi-month mission to educate and engage the community and provide recommendations to the Port of Camas-Washougal and the City of Washougal on a proposed waterfront development, members of the Port of Camas-Washougal's Waterfront Advisory Committee convened for the first time this month. The 12-member committee, appointed by the Camas-Washougal Port Commission, is expected to complete its work by mid-2007.

October 23, 2006 - The Waterfront Advisory Committee ("WAC") held their initial meeting on Monday, October 23rd following the Port Commissioner's regular meeting. The Commissioners welcomed the Committee members and thanked them for volunteering their time and energy to this project. The Committee then convened the official meeting at 6:15 p.m.

September 21, 2006 - At a special meeting held on Thursday, the Commissioners of the Port of Camas/Washougal appointed 12 people from a field of 64 candidates to serve on the newly formed Waterfront Advisory Committee. "We received 64 applications for this committee and are very pleased at the caliber of those applying said Rich Gunderson, Commission President. The Port used a matrix system to insure that all sectors of the community would be well represented. "We feel this group will do a great job of representing the Camas Washougal area and provide the Port solid recommendations regarding the project's aid Gunderson.

September 7, 2006 - The Port of Camas/Washougal solicited applications for a Citizens' Advisory Committee for the RiverWalk project. The Committee's charge: "To recommend the wisest and best long-term use of waterfront resources for the maximum public benefit." Committee members are expected to work well in groups, be open-minded and represent the broader community interests, be prepared and regularly attend committee meetings, and support the Port of Camas/Washougal mission statement: It is the Port's mission to strengthen and diversify the existing economic and industrial base of the district; enhance employment and recreational opportunities for benefit of the residents of the Port district and surrounding region.

September 1, 2006 - Port of Camas/Washougal President Rich Gunderson has announced that at the next Port meeting the Commissioners will likely consider calling for the formation of a citizens’ advisory committee to help with the planning of the RiverWalk development. “This is an important community project, and it’s been our intention for some time to seek citizen involvement to develop the direction the project will take.”

August 31, 2006 - The feasibility study continues with consultants looking at the archaeological issues, along with traffic studies, public interest, and other issues. The Commissioners are considering the formation of a citizen's advisory committee to help review and participate in this project. This issue will be considered at the Commissioners' regular meeting on Tuesday, September 5, 2006.

Purpose of the WAC

The 13 WAC members, representing a wide range of interests in the community, were appointed by the Port of Camas-Washougal last September with the primary purpose to “recommend the wisest and best long-term use of waterfront resources for the maximum public benefit.”

In the last six months, the committee has met twice a month in public sessions to discuss a range of mixed-use waterfront features that would best suit the community including historic, recreational, residential, retail, and commercial uses.

Background

The Port of Camas-Washougal entered into a public/private partnership with RiverWalk, LLC, in November, 2005, to explore the feasibility of a 65-acre waterfront development known as RiverWalk on the Columbia, extending from Parkersville historic site upriver to the vacant property east of Hambleton Lumber.

“Consistent with the port’s mission to generate economic benefits, the port wants to see the maximum benefit derived from the full utilization of the waterfront for our community,” said port commission president, Rich Gunderson. “This investment could potentially add hundreds of jobs and inject millions of tax dollars into our community. We need to give this redevelopment opportunity its due process.”

The two-year option agreement allowed for joint investment for site assessments and feasibility studies to master-plan for the proposed project. If the waterfront development proceeds, Riverwalk will be responsible for project construction costs estimated at $300 to $400 million. Pending community input, public process, and permitting, construction is projected to begin in 2008 with a build-out in six to eight years.

“This proposed waterfront project is not just about development,” said RiverWalk principal partner, John McKibbin. “Our vision is to showcase a community asset, share the riverfront history, create jobs, attract tourism, and anchor Camas-Washougal as the gateway to the magnificent Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.”

More information on RiverWalk can be found at www.columbiariverwalk.com.

About the Port of Camas-Washougal

Formed in 1935 by a vote of the local community, the Port of Camas-Washougal features a 400-acre industrial park, a 79-hangar general aviation airport, and a 350-slip pleasure boat marina. In addition, the port has 40 industrial tenants and over 125 acres for future industrial development. Popular with recreational and general aviation pilots, Grove Field airport also has a state-of-the-art fueling station and 14 tie-downs. The Port of Camas-Washougal marina, largest on the Columbia River, is adjacent to two restaurants, a launch ramp, a marina park, fueling station, guest docks, and homeport to the Vancouver and Dolphin Yacht Clubs.

More information about the Port of Camas-Washougal and its ongoing projects can be found at www.portcw.com.

For updates on the RiverWalk Project, visit this page often.