The developers behind the Fort Pointe housing project are eyeing a new kind of development in the city: high-end resorts for recreational vehicles at the Warrenton and Hammond marinas.
Mark Tolley, from Mission Development Group in San Antonio, Texas, presented his vision to the City Commission on Tuesday night, following a recommendation from the Marina Advisory Committee that the commission review the proposal. The commission voted unanimously to accept the committee’s recommendation and explore the project.
Tolley referred to the marinas as “underutilized city assets” and explained that the project is aimed at best utilizing the land and generating income for the city. Although Mission Development Group typically focuses on housing developments, Tolley noted that RV resorts are better suited to these parcels because of restrictions on use.
“For us, with our experience, this is an ideal opportunity to introduce a use here that fits the various restrictions that we were confronted with, that at the same time will — under a public-private partnership with the city and our company — produce an income-producing asset for the city of Warrenton,” Tolley said.
The two resorts would be built in conjunction with each other and managed by a separate company. Because the Warrenton Marina is located in a flood plain, the plan aims to bring more amenities to the Hammond Marina.
The Hammond Marina site, as planned, would feature 205 units, including 182 concrete paths for recreational vehicles, as well as 16 cabins and seven yurts. The units would surround an office and communal area that would boast amenities such as a pool, fitness center and pickleball courts.
The parks are specifically geared towards high-end recreational vehicles that require more space and amenities. Tolley pointed out that this kind of resort is not currently found in Clatsop County.
“The Class A, upper-echelon RVs that we’re talking about here can run anywhere between a quarter million and a million dollars,” Tolley said. “And so the people that own these RVs expect concrete paths, expect high-end amenities and expect high-end locations. Both of these, in our mind, are underutilized high-end locations that would be embraced by the RV community.”
Tolley also noted that the resorts would bring in substantial income for the city — more than is generated by dry camping at both marinas. He said that based on conversations with the city manager and city planner, dry camping in the two locations generates an income of roughly $72,000 a year, or $360,000 over a five-year period.
In comparison, the new project is expected to generate close to $1.5 million in a five-year period just from lodging taxes.
RV spaces are likely to cost between $45 and $65 a night, depending on season and location. Tolley said that he hopes to open partly next year, with full operations beginning in 2025.
City commissioners offered some concerns about infrastructure — considering the city’s burdened wastewater treatment and sewer systems — and public access to amenities, but were in favor of considering the proposal.
“I think it’s a great use, especially with the Warrenton property,” Mayor Henry Balensifer said. “In Hammond, that could potentially be a very good revenue driver. As you know, the biggest struggle that we’ve had with Hammond is just there’s nothing driving revenue there other than the seasons, which keep getting shorter and shorter. It may be, I think, worth exploring further.”
Mission Development Group is behind the Fort Pointe project off Ridge Road. The 450-unit housing development will include multifamily apartment complexes, duplexes and single-family homes, including a number of build-to-rent units aimed to meet demand for workforce and family housing.
