The 2005 Riverwalk waterfront development agreement between the Port of Camas-Washougal and developers RiverWalk on the Columbia expired Nov. 2, and the two parties have been unable to reach accord on a new agreement.
For the past three months, port officials have discussed with the developers the possibility of starting the redevelopment on a 14.7-acre parcel at the east end of the original proposed 65 acres, according to the port.
The smaller footprint was proposed because it is comprised primarily of vacant, port-owned property and previous studies have shown mixed-use development is appropriate for the site.
The smaller site also could be used to establish an anchor for future development, and allow time to work out details of a larger overall project – specifically, land acquisitions needed for full build-out.
It was announced yesterday that the agreement expired last week with several unfulfilled contingencies, including the lack of a master development agreement between the city of Washougal, the port and RiverWalk.
Also unfulfilled are a fully-negotiated long-term ground lease for the overall project, land acquisitions necessary for the 65-acre project and the establishment of a community renewal area, in accordance with the city’s land ordinances, according to the port.
The port and RiverWalk entered into the public-private partnership in November of 2005, and it established that the two parties would invest two years and a total of $400,000 to explore the feasibility of a 65-acre waterfront development extending from the Parkersville historic site to the port’s property at Sixth Street.
Should development proceed, RiverWalk will be responsible for construction costs, estimated at $300,000 to $400,000.
If an agreement is met, changes to the original proposed concepts will be reviewed by the Waterfront Advisory Committee.
