Port of Everett Seeks Qualifications for Business-Class Hotel at Waterfront Place
Port of Everett Seeks Qualifications for Business-Class Hotel at Waterfront Place
Post Date:02/29/2016 9:47 AM
Everett, Wash. – On February 29, the Port of Everett issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for qualified upscale business-class hotel developers for its Fisherman’s Harbor development in Waterfront Place Central. The site is located on 14th Street just off West Marine View Drive.
The Port is seeking qualified hotel developers to build a 100-120 unit, hotel through a ground lease in its iconic Fisherman’s Harbor District of its new $350 million mixed-use waterfront development. Examples of hotels being sought include brands such as, but not limited to Springhill Suites by Marriott, Hyatt’s Hyatt Place, Starwood’s Aloft or a similarly positioned select service hotel.
“The hotel site is adjacent to the Pacific Rim Plaza and splash fountain that will be under construction this year, and will boast superb marina views and be adjacent to destination waterfront restaurants,” said Terrie Battuello, Chief of Business Development for the Port of Everett. “An independent third party conducted a feasibility study of a new hotel at Waterfront Place, and it conclusively indicated that there is a healthy market for this type of hotel development on the waterfront.”
The new Waterfront Place Central development is uniquely positioned to capture economic growth and regional tourism from the booming greater Everett area, which is particularly well-known for its robust aerospace manufacturing and trade industries, Naval Station Everett and recreational amenities, including a 2,300 slip marina, 13-lane boat launch and Jetty Island.
“The Port of Everett has a strong record of development and utilizing public-private partnerships,” Battuello said. “We are confident we will find a high-quality developer that will be able to start construction on this project as early as 2017.”
Within the next few months, the Port will be requesting bids for the Fisherman’s Harbor roads, utilities, bulkheads and open spaces. This horizontal infrastructure development will be under construction this spring, with construction complete in early 2017, just as vertical construction can begin.
The RFQ process will be result in a short-list of firms that will be followed by a request for proposals (RFP). The Port plans to make the selection of the preferred developer in the 2016 timeframe. Entitlements for the hotel and other uses are already approved.
Fisherman’s Harbor is the first phase of the new mixed-use development. The district, located between 13th and 15th Streets and West Marine View Drive, will include a lively mix of retail, restaurants, approximately 304 residential units and hospitality service along the inner bay forming the heart of the project. The activities of the local fishing fleet will be showcased, engaging visitors in a working waterfront. The intent is to create a year-round hub of activity that will feature unique shopping and dining opportunities to attract residents and regional visitors.
The District is connected by a continuous waterfront trail that connects visitors, residents and marina users to the various amenities. Adjacent to the proposed hotel will be the Pacific Rim Plaza, which will be under construction this year. It is designed to be a formal park and splash plaza that honors the international heritage and shipping industry on the Everett waterfront. The Plaza will serve as a gathering point at the heart of the Waterfront Place Central Neighborhood.
Fisherman’s Harbor is one of five districts in the Waterfront Place Central project. The other districts include the Millwright, Esplanade, Craftsman and Wharf’s Edge. While the Craftsman District is substantially complete, marketing and infrastructure work on the other districts will occur after the full buildout of Fisherman’s Harbor. The Esplanade District, along the water’s edge, includes plans for a boutique hotel in the old Everett Yacht Club building.
The project leverages more than $40 million in public infrastructure into the future, funded by the Port’s capital improvement plan, plus immediate opportunities for private developers anticipated at $350 million. At full build out, the project will support more than 2,000 jobs and $8.6 million in new tax revenue for the city.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
For more information, contact Lisa Lefeber, Director of Policy and Communication, at lisam@portofeverett.com or by phone at 425.388.0617.
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