La Conner Marina housing possible

How best to redevelop a 13-acre section of La Conner Marina was the issue Port of Skagit officials put before town leaders and residents at Maple Hall Tuesday evening, May 17.

The one-hour joint Port-Town meeting, billed as a public visioning session, was an opportunity for the community to share their long view priorities for how the marina south basin area, built in 1970, might be reshaped in the coming decade to meet the challenges of a changing economy.

The Port is considering a makeover featuring mixed-use components, including residential units to help relieve the regional housing crunch.

In introductory remarks Port Executive Director Sara Young said, “We’re here to start with your voice. We want to hear from you. We want to know what your vision is for the community. We have a big idea but want to hear from you.”

Following presentations by Holly Gardner of The Schuster Group and Julie Bassuk of Makers Architecture, on the Port’s consulting team, the floor opened for public comment and brainstorming from the diverse group of over 40 people.

By meeting’s end, locally generated ideas for a new-look marina filled an easel-mounted paper pad. They included desires for a wider variety of marine-related businesses, affordable family housing, recreational and playground areas, increased opportunities for walking and cycling, linkage to Swinomish Indian Tribal Community culture, re-building the indoor swimming pool at the Port’s RV park and construction of a new elevated access road that could provide flood protection to the east while also reducing traffic on North Third Street.

All that and more.

Young said the Port has had marina redevelopment on its radar since 2007, terming the property “underutilized.”

“We identified a large part of our upland property at the marina that we thought we could redevelop in a more cohesive fashion,” said Young. “That was a very early part of our conversation.”

Mayor Ramon Hayes, town council and planning commission members and town staff attended in-person.

“Whatever happens on this property,” said Young, “this is a great opportunity for The Port of Skagit and Town of La Conner to do something synergetic with it.”

Young said that while The Port of Skagit views itself as “an economic driver” within La Conner, its resources can be extended to address other pressing concerns.

“We’re also hearing,” she noted, “that there’s a housing shortage in the community.”

The Port’s consultants shared that multi-family housing represents just 11% of dwellings in town, where four-tenths of the population is comprised of persons aged 60 and over.

Longtime La Conner resident Bob Raymond urged a cautious approach be taken, suggesting they stick to their knitting.

“Do no damage,” he counseled. “I’m surprised that the Port sees itself as a housing proponent, which might be appropriate, but I suggest having a clean energy facility on site.”

Raymond warned against “creating something without considering the 900 people who live here. This is geared toward those who don’t live here.”

The room was assured they “won’t see bulldozers on the property this summer.”

A major brainstorming theme emphasized changes people will be most proud of in 10 years. The redevelopment is intended to increase public access to the La Conner waterfront and attract a younger demographic to the community.

A key Port goal is generating capital for marina infrastructure upgrades.

The consultants will continue their planning and compilation of financial analyses leading to an autumn open house and eventual Port rezoning requests submitted to the Town.

One hurdle to redevelopment cited repeatedly is the 30-foot height restriction on new construction a fire department equipment limitation. Port consultants have said that “borrowing density” by building vertically rather than horizontally is an economic necessity.

Young stressed that despite extensive pre-planning nothing definite has been decided regarding marina redevelopment.

“We’re at a very preliminary stage,” she said. “We’ll keep the conversation going.”