# City of Anacortes - City Council Meeting, 10/5/26 (Zoom Livestream)

The City of Anacortes and Port of Anacortes held a special joint meeting on October 5, 2026, focused on the proposed waterfront event facility and West Basin redevelopment. Port staff reported the project was at 90% design and that a combined city-port construction bid was expected within weeks, with construction potentially beginning in early 2027 and the facility and park targeted for completion in the first quarter of 2028. The Port estimated about $16 million for West Basin infrastructure and site improvements, including utilities, stormwater, street realignment, parking, and development-ready parcels. The city’s event facility construction estimate was about $10.4 million; the financing discussion included a secured $750,000 Skagit County grant and an estimated remaining financing need of roughly $4.36 million, including grants not yet secured. Restaurant proposals for Pads A and B were open. Council and commissioners heard support as well as concerns about financing, operating losses, parking, utilities, public outreach, and reliance on a prospective hotel. A council member asked to pause bidding pending a fuller financing and risk plan, but no motion or vote on the event facility or bid process was taken.

At the subsequent city council meeting, members discussed 2027 revenue estimates and options including a proposed 1% property-tax increase, a law-enforcement sales-tax increase, and a possible B&O tax; these remained under consideration, with further information and budget deliberations forthcoming. The council postponed consideration of an interlocal GIS-services agreement with Burlington until the following week while staff checked data-storage capacity; the proposed arrangement would bill Burlington as work is performed. The consent agenda was approved, but the transcript does not identify its individual items.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 05, 2026

### Sources
- [City of Anacortes - City Council Meeting, 10/5/26 (Zoom Livestream)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9riQCgYp6jg) - City of Anacortes