Ridgefield leaders work to address concerns about impact of waterfront's development

May 9-RIDGEFIELD - Port of Ridgefield leaders say they are working to address questions about traffic, housing, environmental impacts and the future of downtown Ridgefield after dozens of residents raised concerns about the port's waterfront redevelopment at two recent public meetings.

"Some of the concerns are understandable, but I think that we can answer them as we continue moving forward and determining the plan," port CEO Ethan Perry said.

Portland-based Palindrome Communities, the project developer, is proposing a mix of parks, industrial and maker spaces, retail and office space, housing, lodging and recreation for the port's 40-acre waterfront property. The development agreement process is ongoing, with a focus on master leasing and site planning. Port officials are targeting a late 2027 groundbreaking.

About 50 people attended the port's Commissioners Coffee event on April 21, while about 20 spoke about the project during the Ridgefield City Council meeting two days later. They expressed a variety of concerns, mainly regarding the development's potential impact to the port's boat launch, downtown businesses and the nearby wildlife refuge.

"We've stood by all of this development because we were promised that, despite the growth, the heart and soul of this town would be preserved," Ridgefield resident Sasha Brodowski said during the April 23 city council meeting. "I can't list all the problems with this development in three minutes, or even in the two hours we spent at the port meeting. We barely scratched the surface. And honestly, I can't tell you what is right about this development."

Abbi Russell, the port's administrations and operations manager, said public concern intensified after conceptual park plans circulated online.

"I think a lot of people had never seen the concept yet, and they saw it and expressed their surprise," Russell said. "Work on this project dates back to 1993. People are saying, 'We didn't know. We had no idea,' and we're thinking, 'We feel like we've been talking about it forever.' But they had questions."

The port published FAQs on its website to address concerns.

"Since the coffee and council meeting, we've had several meetings with community members and partners, and we're continuing conversations with the city and Palindrome," Russell said. "We're trying to understand concerns and what people want to see, not just what they don't want. A lot of concerns come from a lack of awareness of decades of planning."

Russell also said misinformation about the project has spread, noting that some people assume the 40-acre waterfront property is a Superfund site when in fact it was cleaned under Washington's Model Toxics Control Act with state oversight and without Environmental Protection Agency involvement.

"It's easy for those of us in development or public agencies to assume people understand the process," Russell said. "Part of our job is to demystify it and reduce uncertainty."

Port officials say the development could generate 335 full-time, on-site jobs, about $1.3 million annually in property taxes to the city, county and port, and about $320,000 in annual sales tax.

"These are public dollars reinvested into infrastructure and assets," Russell said.

The city issued a statement on April 28 saying the waterfront site remains zoned for mixed-use development, but no formal development application or agreement has been submitted to the city, meaning no city council review or approval is currently underway.

"We want to acknowledge that (the residents') perspectives were heard," the statement read. "The city values this public input, and appreciates the time, energy, and care for our community and environment reflected in these comments."

The port is working closely with the city and Palindrome to address the concerns and ensure the project benefits the community, and plans to continue public involvement through meetings, workshops and community outreach, Perry said.

"Change is always difficult," Russell said. "The goal is to create a place where people feel they belong and that reflects the community."

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