Council to study development concept

July 19, 2007

The Cathlamet Town Council on Monday voted to begin the search for a consultant to advise them on the merits of a wide ranging redevelopment of parts of the town and its waste water treatment system.

Councilmember David Goodroe outlined a developer’s proposal that would turn the town’s current waste water settling ponds into a second marina. A complex with a hotel, retail shops, residential units and other uses would be nearby, and townhouses would circle the existing marina.

The developer would build and contract with the town to operate a sewage treatment plant, using new technology, at a site away from the river.

The concept involves the town, Port District No. 1, and the Wahkiakum School District.

The town has been planning replacement of the waste water plant for several years, and at one time considered a membrane treatment plant, concluding it would be too costly.

Goodroe said that the developer, Intelligent Community Services, Inc., of Portland, feels technological advances now make the membrane plant a feasible concept. Goodroe said the system should maintain rates at approximately $50 per month.

The waste water treatment plant cost is estimated at $5.9 million, Goodroe said. Estimates of the overall value of development along the waterfront range from $20 to $50 million.

Benefits to the town, Goodroe said, would be obtaining the new waste water treatment plant in exchange for land, new short and long-term jobs, a doubling of the tax base, and a boost to a tourist based economy that would bring new money to the community.

The project and concepts have been discussed for almost three years, said Goodroe and Richard Erickson, executive director of the Lower Columbia Economic Development Council.

However, the project remains in the conceptual stage; details are yet to be developed.

Mayor Dick Swart polled councilmembers about their feelings on the value of continuing to consider and study the proposal. All agreed that they should continue.

Several citizens attending the meeting also supported the concept.

“I would look directly at it,” said Gene Witham. “I like the marine environment; I like the activity that would occur.”

Steve McNicholas of the Wahkiakum Historical Society also welcomed the proposal. The society’s museum sits on a piece of ground that could be incorporated into the project, producing revenue that could relocate the museum and expand its offerings. A likely spot would be the Old Gym site belonging to the Wahkiakum School District, he said.

“It wouldn’t cost us anything, and we would end up with one of the finest museums in the state of Washington,” he said.

The council referred the matter to its Community Development Committee, which includes Goodroe and Danielle Erickson.

They were authorized to look for consultants who could advise on how to evaluate and proceed with further talks with ICS and other entities that might be involved.