Officials gather to discuss projects, goals for SWIFT Center

SEDRO-WOOLLEY - The Port of Skagit, Skagit County Board of Commissioners and Sedro-Woolley City Council met Monday to discuss projects and initiatives at the SWIFT Center in Sedro-Woolley.

The meeting was held at the NW Innovation Resource Center Lab-SWIFT.

Port of Skagit Planning and Development Director Heather Rogerson said the purpose of the meeting was to inform officials of the work that has been done to renovate and restore the SWIFT Center, and to establish a consistent meeting schedule between officials.

Officials at the meeting said they'd be interested in holding joint meetings regularly, potentially twice a year.

The SWIFT Center is owned by the Port of Skagit in partnership with the city of Sedro-Woolley and Skagit County.

Rogerson said the Port of Skagit's work at the SWIFT Center is aligned with feedback from the community. She said that from 2014 to 2017, there were 23 public meetings held regarding the SWIFT Center.

Through public input, Rogerson said, three points emerged as priorities to the community: That SWIFT Center properties remain as public-owned properties, that the center's architecture be preserved, and that the public has access to the grounds.

Many of the port's projects aim to satisfy these priorities.

Port of Skagit Environmental and Planning Manager Laura Schumacher said that by 2028 the Port plans to add about 1.3 miles of trails to the existing trail systems at the SWIFT Center, bringing the total up to 15 miles.

Port of Skagit Communications Director Linda Tyler presented an update on the Port's work to restore the Hub Building, which will serve as a community gathering space.

The port is in the design and permitting phase of the restoration project, and hopes to begin construction in 2027, with restoration completed in 2028, Tyler said.

"We're very excited about this building renovation. We see it as a catalyst for other revitalization on the campus," Tyler said. "We see it as a great benefit for Sedro-Woolley residents, (and) eastern Skagit County to have a community gathering space."

Tyler said the port aims to make the Hub Building an event space for private and public events, conferences, trainings and tourism-related activities.

Many officials at the meetings said they hope that restoration of the SWIFT Center will lead to workforce development in Skagit County.

Several officials said they see the Hub Building as a good start to what could be a hotspot for new jobs in the county.

Port of Skagit Real Estate Manager Shaun Gibbs said that several of the buildings and properties at the SWIFT Center are being advertised online and have drawn interest.

Gibbs said that the properties would likely be leased to long-term tenants, but that the port is unsure if the properties would be best suited for uses such as businesses or speciality residential.

Skagit County Commissioner Peter Browning said he was excited for the changes coming to the SWIFT Center, particularly the potential it can provide to businesses and their employees.

"Having nice trails, having an office here, and being able to go out and walk is becoming so, so important, and that's why young people are wanting out of Seattle, because they can't do that," Browning said. "It really is attractive for smaller businesses that want to come here and develop a business core and create an active, healthy environment for their employees."

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