PORT OF GARIBALDI COMMISSION BEGINS VISION PROCESS FOR WORKING WATERFRONT

The Port of Garibaldi is undertaking a Visioning and Port Property Marketing Plan (Port Vision Plan). This work continues the Port’s successful and ongoing implementation of its 2010 Strategic Business Plan, which has since included funding and completion of a Parks Master Plan and the procurement of grants to reconstruct the Commercial Avenue Wharf.

A design concept for the Garibaldi waterfront.

“The Port has seen a lot of development pressure over the last two years,” Port Manager Kevin Greenwood noted. A quarter acre lease was just signed for a boat/car wash and the Port has heard proposals from R Sanitary solid waste utility and NW Hardwoods. NW Hardwoods employs over 70 people. “Staff needs clearer direction about the kinds of businesses the community wants and where they should be located.”

The Port is expected to have 25,000 square feet of new commercial wharf frontage available in 2015 in addition to seven acres of dredge disposal lands abutting Old Mill property. “There has been interest in developing the old disposal site, but the Army Corps has cautioned local governments and Garibaldi about doing that,” Greenwood added. All other port property is currently leased or used for parking.

The Port Vision Plan will commence this fall, and is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2014. The plan will kick off with stakeholder interviews on October 21-22. The Port is soliciting written comment from the public about what they’d like to see in Garibaldi. Deadline for the first round of letters is October 6^th. “Written comment is a great way for the Commission to get a sense of what people would like to see in Garibaldi,” Greenwood added.

A Visioning Town Hall Meeting – including a summary of interviews and written comment -- is scheduled for Tuesday, December 10^th at 3:00 pm. Planners and design professionals will be on hand at the workshop to gather community input, capture people’s ideas visually, and create preliminary plans and sketches. The Commission expects to solicit input on key port development metrics, such as

·       Land uses and compatibility

·       Landscape features, buffers, and site amenities

·       Parking and circulation

·       Building orientation, mass, and scale

·       Building materials and finishes

·       Design guidelines

The Visioning Workshop will provide an opportunity for hands-on input from port tenants, owners, users, and the public. The result will be a Vision map, graphics, and design guidelines that will help shape future development at the Port. This plan will also explore opportunities to showcase the historic working waterfront, environment, and key recreational features at the Port. At the building level, design guidelines can also help shape the look, feel, and finish of new construction. These guidelines are expected to be presented during a public Open House on March 18, 2014.

“The Port has long-needed a Vision Plan,” Port Commission President Val Folkema said. “With all the synergy currently taking place, the Commission needs to take advantage of this opportunity and do it right.”

Please watch for meeting announcements. The Port of Garibaldi is very interested in your active participation in the Port Vision Plan process. For more information, contact Kevin Greenwood, Port Manager, at 503/332-3292. Comments on the Vision Plan can be submitted to info(at)portofgaribaldi.org or mailed to P.O. Box 10, Garibaldi, OR  97118.

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Stakeholder Interviews................................................... October 21-22, all day

Solicit Letters of Input.................................................................... November 6

Commission Agenda Item............................................. November 13, 7:00pm

Design Concepts Town Hall.................................. December 10, 3:00-7:00pm

Commission Agenda Item.............................................. December 11, 7:00pm

Solicit Letters of Input.................................................................. December 31

Commission Agenda Item..................................................... January 8, 7:00pm

Commission Agenda Item................................................. February 12, 7:00pm

Commission Agenda Item..................................................... March 12, 7:00pm

Vision Plan Open House...................................................... March 18, 6:00pm