Posted: July 14, 2009 14:57:39 PST
(Originally issued July 18, 2008)
Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike has selected the members of the first governing board for the Bellingham Public Development Authority. These new members will be formally appointed by the Bellingham City Council on Monday, July 21, 2008, as the Board of Directors.
This newly created public corporation, approved by the Bellingham City Council in May, is expected to provide leadership and expertise to redevelopment on the waterfront, downtown and for other city-owned real estate.
Pike selected the following people from among 25 who applied to serve:
Rud Browne - 1-year term
Bruce MacCormack - 2-year term
Scot Barg - 2-year term
Brian Steele - 3-year term
Ken Hertz - 3-year term
Chris Webb - 4-year term
Heather Wolf - 4-year term
(Information about the experience and background of each board member selected can be found in the agenda packet for the July 21 City Council meeting)
Pike said he selected board members with a range of management experience in the fields of finance, law, real estate, engineering and business management who represent the community's vision for waterfront redevelopment. The Board is expected to hold its first meeting by mid-September.
The Bellingham Public Development Authority was formed to serve as the city's implementation entity for developing city-owned real estate, both city-wide and at the Waterfront District. The governing board will be responsible for hiring and directing professionals with the specialty skills necessary to achieve the city's vision for waterfront redevelopment and other development efforts.
Pike said he and the City Council expect the work of this public corporation will be consistent with the vision of the Waterfront Futures Group and with the financial, social and economic sustainability principles often referred to as the "triple bottom line."
Pike said the Waterfront District redevelopment will require an extended management effort on behalf of the City of Bellingham, estimated at several decades.
"As we envision it, the Public Development Authority will facilitate the launch of early Waterfront District redevelopment projects as well as long-term management and oversight for redevelopment efforts on behalf of the City," he said.
Other municipalities have used public development authorities as a means to successfully implement complex development, construction and management projects. These have included the City of Seattle with the Seattle Art Museum's numerous projects since the late 1980's and the City of Tacoma with Foss Waterway Development since the late 1990's.
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Media Contact:
Mayor Dan Pike
778-8100
