It’s almost as if the stars aligned to set the stage for the redevelopment of Vancouver’s waterfront, said David Copenhaver, vice president of development for Tualatin, Ore.-based Gramor Development.
Gramor closed on the $19 million purchase of the 29-acre Boise Cascade waterfront property Jan. 31.
But before the sale could close, the Port of Vancouver, Boise Cascade and the BNSF Railway Co. had to complete a three-way land-exchange agreement, which also closed Jan. 31.
No money exchanged hands, but Boise Cascade got 2.9 acres on the western side of Terminal One from the port. The acreage squared off Boise’s property to make it more attractive for development.
Boise got almost one acre from BNSF located within the former mill site, and the port got 3.6 acres along the north and west boundary of the former mill site that will be used as the rail right-of-way for its West Vancouver Freight Access Project from Boise Cascade.
Construction started on the project’s $13.7-million first phase in the beginning of January. The first phase will build the rail line from roughly Columbia Boulevard west to the LaFarge Cement and Albina Fuel and Asphalt sites.
Because the rail spur that cuts across the Boise property and currently serves the LaFarge and Albina sites will be removed, the freight access project will provide a shoefly or detour for rail access to the sites that also plays into the Washington State Dept. of Transportation’s bypass project.
“All of our interests aligned – it was uncanny,” Copenhaver said. “It gives more credibility that this really is the time to do this. Having everyone on the same page helped a great deal. It wasn’t easy, but it was successful.”
Gramor, with local investors Steve and Jan Oliva, Al and Saundra Kirkwood, Steven and Jo Marie Hansen and George and Paula Diamond, envision a mixed-use urban neighborhood with condos, retail, restaurants and offices with the possibility of a hotel.
But, Copenhaver warned, it will not be an enclave for the wealthy – the developers are looking to preserve messy vitality.
The project also will grant new access to 1,900 feet of Columbia River waterfront.
Gramor is working with Vancouver-based Hopper Dennis Jellison engineering firm, Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects in Portland and Vancouver-based JD White, a division of Berger/Abam Engineers.
Financing has been arranged through First Independent, participating with West Coast Bank and Walla Walla-based Baker Boyer Bank.
“This is an incredible opportunity,” Copenhaver said. “How often do you get to be part of changing the face of a community?”
In the next two to three months, the developers will meet with neighborhood associations, media, downtown merchants and other community organizations.
“We have a preliminary master plan, but as we go out and gather input, aspects may be changed,” he said. “Including the public is the key. As long as you try and mitigate concerns and reach out and involve the public, I think you’re going to end up with a project everything likes.”
It is not uncommon for waterfront developers to be met with public opposition. Copenhaver said it is important to proceed with the assumption they might face opposition, but he hopes the public involvement can stave it off.
Boise Cascade announced its intentions sell the property in June 2005 and formally began taking bids the following January. The company reached a sales agreement with Gramor in August 2006, said Karen Punch, spokeswoman for the Boise, Idaho-based company.
All sides agree the negotiations have been a long process, but are looking toward the next steps. The approval process for the 32-acre master plan is scheduled for this year, and construction could start in 2009.
Megan Patrick can be reached at mpatrick@vbjusa.com.
