After years of cleanup and planning, the redevelopment of Ridgefield’s waterfront is one step closer.
On Tuesday, Nov. 12, the Port of Ridgefield announced it signed an agreement with Palindrome Properties Group, a Portland-based development firm with 25 years of experience in mixed-use projects. Under the agreement, Palindrome will have exclusive rights to negotiate a long-term lease with the port once both parties agree on a final development plan. Palindrome is collaborating with LRS Architects and landscape and architecture firm Lango Hansen for this project.
“This is a major milestone in the nearly 30-year process to assess and clean up contamination, engage the Ridgefield community, and position the waterfront for future redevelopment to support jobs and quality of life,” Port of Ridgefield CEO Randy Mueller said in a Nov. 12 statement.
History of the Waterfront
The 41-acre waterfront site, located near Lake River and downtown Ridgefield, was once the site of Pacific Wood Treating (PWT), a heavy-industrial operation that ran from the mid-1960s to 1993. Following the port’s acquisition of the property, a $90 million public investment-funded cleanup effort to remove soil contaminants left by PWT. In 2015, the Washington Department of Ecology declared the site restored and ready for redevelopment.
The area’s development will bring back jobs to the site for the first time in over 30 years. At its peak, PWT employed around 400 people at the waterfront site. Palindrome estimates that once the new waterfront development is completed, it will create approximately 350 full-time jobs. Drawing from successful projects at other Pacific Northwest ports, Mueller and the port commission anticipate that the Ridgefield waterfront will host a variety of businesses, including retail, commercial, office and dining establishments. Mueller expects the final plan to include a variety of employment opportunities.
“At this point, we don’t believe that heavy-industrial uses belong on the Ridgefield waterfront, and I think most of the community doesn’t either … There may be something like a fishing rod or bicycle manufacturing. Not a giant lumber mill. Nobody is building those on the waterfront anymore,” Mueller said.
Proposed waterfront development
The initial site proposal presented by Palindrome includes several elements aimed at transforming Ridgefield’s waterfront into a mixed-use area:
Residential and hotel space — The plan includes a 174-unit apartment building, 82 additional apartment units above two retail buildings and a 58-room hotel.
Makerspace and office buildings — Three buildings are proposed for light-industrial jobs A proposed office building would be the new home of the Port of Ridgefield, which currently resides in downtown Ridgefield.
Retail and Dining — A retail shopping center is part of the proposal, aiming to provide a range of shopping and dining options. The proposal includes three buildings for leasable space.
Van Camping Area — A temporary van camping area is included, with 16 designated camping sites.
Future Single-Family Housing — The proposal includes a potential future phase with land set aside for up to 42 single-family homes located south and east of Carty Lake.
Mueller clarified that the final plan may change drastically, and final plans for residential, commercial and retail spaces will be decided during the planning phase.
Looking ahead
The port’s highest priority remains the development of an 8-acre waterfront park along Lake River, just west of downtown. The Port of Ridgefield is collaborating with the city to ensure the park complements the adjacent job sites and serves the community.
“Now that we’ve selected the developer, it’s appropriate to bring them into the conversation with the city and the port. This park will be adjacent to the redeveloped waterfront, and we want to make sure it works for everyone” Mueller said.
In April, the Port of Ridgefield commissioners approved a tax increment financing (TIF) measure, allowing the port to collect property tax increases and taxes on new developments within designated boundaries. The TIF will take effect in January 2025 and will extend for 25 years, potentially generating over $43 million in revenue to fund improvements on the Ridgefield waterfront.
Mueller emphasized that maintaining the health and beauty of the surrounding environment is central to the planning process.
“The fact that the Ridgefield waterfront is adjacent to the 5,000-acre Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, as well as Lake River and Carney Lake, is forefront in all of our planning work,” Mueller said.
On Oct. 24, the Ridgefield City Council approved a master plan outlining preferred amenities for the conceptual park. Review The Reflector’s coverage at shorturl.at/7mQS1.
