Port of South Whidbey, Goosefoot close to hammering out commercial kitchen deal

A major overhaul of the commercial kitchen in the Coffman Building at the fairgrounds in Langley is seeming more and more likely.

Port of South Whidbey commissioners met again with Goosefoot representatives this week and are that much closer to hashing out an agreement that would significantly renovate the facility. Angi Mozer, executive director of the port, said there’s still a few details to work out but that a memorandum of understanding between the two entities is likely, possibly as soon as February.

Under the terms of the deal, Goosefoot would invest between $50,000 and $75,000 in equipment purchases while the port would fund needed building renovations. Goosefoot would also be required to manage the facility and commercial kitchen users.

The cost of renovations are currently unknown. Mozer said the commissioners are waiting to see final design plans, supplied by Goosefoot, and other renovation and agreement details.

“I can’t even estimate how much renovations would cost at this point,” she said.

She also noted that any agreement is predicated on the successful transfer of the property. Island County currently owns the fairgrounds, but is in the process of giving it to the port per a November vote of the public.

Mozer said if the property transfer is done by March, the building could be ready for use as early as this summer. She added that if the renovations included a significant expansion, the entire building might be renovated and expanded as well to limit impacts to a 4-H meeting area.