City, Port authorize agreements to support future event venue in Anacortes
August 19, 2025 | News
ANACORTES, WA—The City of Anacortes and Port of Anacortes signed two interlocal agreements (ILAs) during a joint public meeting on Monday, Aug. 18, that support future construction and operations of a new public event venue in Anacortes.
The ILAs outline how the City and Port will continue working together on the facility’s design, construction, and operations. The ILA for design and construction outlines how the City and Port will share the costs of designing and building the facility, while the operations ILA establishes how the venue will be managed once it’s open to the public, including operational roles, scheduling, and rental rate-setting.
Under the design and construction ILA, the City and Port will split costs 50-50 for remaining design work for the facility. The Port will build the facility on Port property, and the City will reimburse the Port for construction costs. The City plans to fund the project with a general obligation bond, and use Local Tourism Advisory Committee revenue to pay debt service. The project cost, estimated in 2024, is expected to be $8 million.
The operations ILA currently states that the Port will operate and maintain the facility at no cost to the City, while the City will support marketing efforts.
The ILAs are living documents, designed to guide the next steps in the process. If permitting or projected costs change the City’s and Port’s approach to the facility, the obligations outlined in these ILAs may change.
“We appreciate the City’s continued partnership as we move this event center forward,” said Port of Anacortes Commission President Shawn Ottenbreit. “This project is about more than a building—it’s about creating a space that brings people to Anacortes, boosts our economy, and delivers lasting benefits for our community.”
“This milestone moves the event center from concept to a shared commitment between the City and Port,” said City of Anacortes Mayor Matt Miller. “We have a path forward to create a venue that reflects our community and maritime heritage, supports local gatherings, attracts visitors, and strengthens Anacortes for years to come.”
The City and Port began collaborating on the project in March 2024, when they signed an initial ILA to explore design concepts and funding strategies. Design work, currently in the early conceptual stage, will continue through 2025 and 2026, with construction starting as early as 2027. Both agencies are pursuing various funding sources to help fund the project.
Throughout the process, the City and Port will continue engaging with the community to share updates and receive input. Visit the project webpage to read the ILAs and stay up to date on the latest project news and updates: https://www.anacorteswa.gov/1644/Port-of-AnacortesCity-of-Anacortes-Event