SOUTH WHIDBEY: Rent to increase for fairgrounds tenants
Kira Erickson reports from the Port of South Whidbey board meeting of Tue., Dec. 9, 2025 for the South Whidbey Record. Read the whole story.
Summary by Perplexity AI
The Port of South Whidbey plans a 10% rent increase for businesses leasing commercial space at the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds, effective Jan. 1, to move rates closer to market levels. Commissioners noted many tenants pay under 30 cents per square foot, far below the roughly $1.50–$2 per square foot seen elsewhere on South Whidbey. The increase is part of a new leasing policy that includes surveying comparable commercial and industrial properties around Island County to set a fair baseline. OutCast Theater’s rent, for example, will rise from $675 to $745 per month, while the Whidbey Island Fair Association’s rate is still under negotiation.
They Said It
Many fairgrounds tenants currently pay under 30 cents per square foot, which Commissioner Jack Ng said is “way below” market value.
“You can’t even get a storage unit on South Whidbey for that,” he said.
In his experience as a business owner, he noted that the going rate is around $1.50 or $2 per square foot.
“I know we try to help the community, but we got to be at least fair enough for other people too,” he said.
