City wants to hear from you about offer from Chewters Chocolates

By Stefanie Donahue

Blaine city councilmembers spoke candidly during a regular meeting on December 10 about why they voted to table a $1.6 million offer from Chewters Chocolates to purchase the remaining seven acres of the Gateway Parcel.

Chewters Chocolates CEO Richard Foley and VP of manufacturing Wade Pugh presented the offer on November 26 and detailed plans to build a manufacturing facility outfitted for walking tours, similar to the Tillamook Creamery in Oregon.

Emphasizing the tough nature of the decision, councilmembers are calling on the public for input. Here’s what they had to say:

Councilmember Mary Lou Steward: “Once we sell the property we have very little control over what happens to the property. […] This is one of our prime pieces of land that is left. […] We’re trying to get the best fit for the city, not the first fit for the city. […] Although what we would like to have is very good retail service [and] high-paying jobs, we may not be able to get that at this moment, but that doesn’t mean we just give this property away.”

Councilmember Charlie Hawkins: “We need to really think long and hard because this is the last significant piece of property we have. […] I still think we need to sit back and take a hard look at the long-term effect of this sale.”

Councilmember Alicia Rule: “I’m really interested in the idea that we’ve been presented with by the chocolate company. My concern was just that it didn’t give enough detail for me to be able to make, at that time, a really clear decision. […] We need to look at all of the growth that is proposed for Blaine, particularly with east Blaine. […] We need to make sure that our public has what they need in terms of services.”

Councilmember Eric Davidson: “I want to encourage the people that are here and who read about this in the newspaper to give your opinion to your city council. […] The [six] of us here are only making a decision based on what we feel is best for Blaine.”

Mayor Bonnie Onyon: “We would love to have this factory in Blaine. I would love to have the jobs. This particular site is certainly not the only site that would be suitable for this. […] This particular piece concerns me a bit because it’s such high-frontage, which is ideal for service businesses, or retail or commercial, rather than a factory.”

City manager Michael Jones and city attorney Jon Sitkin are working with executives at Chewters Chocolates to develop a more specific proposal that will be presented to Blaine City Council on Monday, January 14.

In the meantime, a handful of city councilmembers are planning to tour the Chewters Chocolates 55,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Delta, B.C.

The Northern Light published a report on the proposal on November 29. Read it here: bit.ly/2BakBdv. To share your thoughts with Blaine City Council, email citycouncil@cityofblaine.com.