Anacortes, Port advance interlocal plan for 400‑seat waterfront event center; city would help pay design and debt service

City officials and port commissioners presented interlocal agreements July 28 that would guide design, construction and long-term operation of an event center in the Port of Anacortess West Basin. The Port of Anacortes would build and operate the facility on port-owned property; the city would reimburse the port for half of design and construction costs and anticipates using lodging-tax (LTAC) revenue to pay debt service if the city issues bonds to finance its share.

Why it matters: The proposals would enable a new waterfront venue for local and regional events while exposing the city to financing decisions and ongoing obligations tied to LTAC revenues. The council and port framed the project as a partnership intended to increase tourism capacity and provide a home for events that previously used the transit shed.

Staff member Swetnam introduced the agreements to the full council, emphasizing the interagency collaboration that produced the draft documents. Swetnam said the design-and-construction interlocal "provides a lot of the…