Rachel Rosen reports in the Whidbey News-Times from the Oak Harbor City Council meeting on Tue., Jan. 17, 2023.
The city of Oak Harbor has purchased two waterfront properties on the corner of Pioneer Way and Bayshore Drive and has hired an economic development coordinator who will lead the project.
They Said It
“The city negotiated a reduced rate for the purchase in consideration of the investment needed to address environmental contamination,” Mayor Bob Severns said in a council meeting Tuesday. “Currently the city plans to leverage grant funds to pay for remediating the sites.”
[Newly-hired economic development coordinator Stephen McCaslin] said he will plan, organize, and complete economic development efforts that focus on retaining and recruiting new businesses to Oak Harbor.
“The intended outcomes will be to have a more economically vibrant city, and to raise the standard of living for our residents,” McCaslin wrote in an email.
As far as the Pioneer Way properties go, McCaslin said city first has to clean up the properties to make them usable. He will provide the community with updates as they become available.
“As we refine our economic development strategic plan, we will have a clearer picture of plans for this property,” he wrote.
Ed. Note: Mr. McCaslin is also a elected commissioner for the North Whidbey Pool, Park, and Recreation District.
