Cowlitz County to back PFD bond for $11.7M renovation after favorable feasibility review

Cowlitz County Treasurer Deborah Gardner and Public Facilities District (PFD) representatives briefed commissioners on phase‑1 financing for a planned renovation project and the county’s role in issuing bonds to support the work.

Gardner said the county will need to sign a third amendment to the interlocal agreement and a resolution authorizing bond issuance; the county would be responsible if the PFD could not pay, but she said the county’s capacity exceeds the requested amount. Bob Gregory and PFD staff summarized a Department of Commerce‑overseen, third‑party financial feasibility review that included multiple stress tests (scenarios with no revenue growth, modest revenue declines, expense inflation, and debt service 10% higher than projections). Gregory said all stress tests showed capacity to service the debt based on projected sales‑tax rebate revenues.

PFD representatives described a progressive design‑build delivery model, a project budget of $11,700,000, and a process that will negotiate a guaranteed maximum price after schematic design. "At the end of that schematic design process, we'll actually have a ... guaranteed maximum price with the contractor architect team, and that will be the final price that they will get," one PFD speaker said. Commissioners asked whether the facility would host tournaments as a revenue stream; PFD staff said seating, concessions and spectator accommodations are a priority and that successful tournaments are part of the economic development case for the project.

Treasurer Gardner said bond-related documents are scheduled to come back to the board the week of Feb. 17 for approval and signature, with a possible bond closing moved toward May 1. Commissioners were asked to review materials and flag any issues prior to the public meeting when the resolution and interlocal amendment are placed on the agenda.