The developer who has worked for years amid numerous setbacks to bring a mixed-use development to the Port of Pasco’s Osprey Pointe property wants to hit the gas on the first phase of the project.

But the port is pumping the brakes.

James Sexton told the port’s commissioners during a July 9 meeting that he is ready to begin installing sewer and water lines for the first two four-story mixed-use buildings and the dozens of detached condos planned for just under 9 acres of the roughly 55-acre Columbia River shore property.

He told the commission he was ready to buy the initial acreage at the previously agreed upon price of just under $2 million before he invests $1 million for the utility work.

“As soon as I get fire hydrants in, (the city of Pasco) will let me start building things,” Sexton said.

But port commissioners and staff poured cold water on his proposal.

They told Sexton he needed to make his request in writing and provide a new proposed development schedule, as well as a letter explaining the need for it. Only once those documents, as well as others, were in hand could the port work toward a purchase and sale agreement for the land, they told him.

The port also posed questions and expressed concerns about how the development has dragged out and the port’s need to protect its interests.

“I’ve been really supportive of this project since the beginning,” Commissioner Jean Ryckman said. “But I’m getting nervous about it now.”

Osprey Pointe sits just west of the port’s Big Pasco Industrial Center along the Columbia River. The only building on the site is a two-story office building, half of it occupied by the port’s offices. It’s surrounded by open ground all the way to the riverside.

The build-out of Osprey Pointe is one of the port’s strategic goals. Sexton and his company JMS Construction | Development first partnered with the port on the project five years ago.

Sexton’s wants to create a community with 962 residential units, dozens of commercial spaces, including a large Market Hall with wine tastings and an art gallery, and an event center with outdoor amphitheater. Sidewalks would be 16 feet wide and heated to melt snow and ice. The detached condos would have special elevators built into their one-car garages to provide underground storage for a second vehicle.

JMS Construction anticipates breaking ground on the first phase of construction for the Port of Pasco’s Osprey Pointe this spring. The detached condominiums along with two neighboring mixed use buildings and commercial building in the northwest corner of the property are in that building phase.

| JMS Construction | Development

But the vision for the property has taken much longer than anticipated.

Among the hurdles Sexton has said have held the project up are the city needing to update its comprehensive plan and building codes to allow the project and staff turnover in the city’s planning office; the back-and-forth on state codes for natural gas in new construction; and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Commissioner Hans Engelke questioned Sexton on why he didn’t come to the port sooner once he realized the current development schedule wouldn’t work. Heidi Ellerd, the port’s attorney, said there were documents called for in the original agreement between the port and JMS that she has not yet received.

Port officials also indicated they wanted assurances that the project would move forward. Ellerd asked Sexton if he could acquire the permits for the utility work now and propose a development schedule that would have first phase built out before the next phase begins. Ryckman asked Sexton if he had considered hiring a project manager.

Sexton said he had appeared before the commissioners earlier this year to update them on the project and worked closely with now-retired port executive director Randy Hayden to keep commissioners informed.

He also said modifying the development schedule to have a phase completed before the next began would be challenging and he has interviewed candidates to take on a project manager role.

And he noted that he’s already invested roughly $3 million into the project and property, which has made it more valuable. And there is nothing preventing the port from selling the property to another entity.

“I have no assurances or guarantees or even rights to get my money back,” he said.

Stephen McFadden, the port’s director of economic development and marketing, told the commissioners that most of the exhibits required by the port’s agreement with JMS are in hand, except for a finalized landscaping plan. That document should be available in the next two weeks.

The Port of Pasco's 55-acre Osprey Pointe property sits just west of the Big Pasco Industrial Center along the Columbia River. The only building on the site is a two-story office building, half of it occupied by the port’s offices. 

| Photo by Nathan Finke

The landscaping plan along with an amended development schedule and a letter from Sexton explaining the need for it, will allow the port to move on with a purchase and sale agreement, which can include language to guarantee Sexton’s investments.

“I think we could be back here with the letter and updated schedule in two weeks,” McFadden said. “I don’t think we’re back here with a purchase and sale agreement until four weeks.”

“At this point I have no option but to move forward with what you’re suggesting,” Sexton said.

Port officials also stressed the need to bring together the city’s planners, Sexton and his engineers, and port representatives in the same room to make sure there’s mutual understanding on what is needed to move forward.

“I really think this project could be really good for the community,” Ryckman said.

“It’s $6.8 million in taxes a year,” Sexton said.

“But only if it gets done,” Ryckman said.