Timeline 2018-2023

2018

• Anacortes Rotary reviews five Legacy options, selects park upgrades at Cap Sante as Centennial Legacy gift to community.

• Fundraising begins.

2019-21

• Project committee reviews trail route alternatives, supplemental park projects with Anacortes Parks and Recreation Department.

• Review of multiple viewpoint alternatives begins.

• Oct. 2021: Preliminary meeting with Anacortes Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission to discuss viewpoint planning and scope. 

2022

• Rotary Viewpoint Trail opens.

• Viewpoint designs see more refinement.

• Sept. 2022: Club meets with Anacortes Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission to review and discuss three design concepts. Decision made to eliminate a post/beam alternative, proceed with retaining wall/fill options.

• Two challenge grants spur funding drive.

2023

• Preferred Viewpoint design selected.

• August 2023: Club meets with Anacortes Parks and Recreation Commission to refine designs, discuss critical area and traffic/parking studies. In 4-0 vote, Commission recommends that plan proceeds. 

• Project analysis complete with critical area study, traffic/parking study and site survey.

• Preliminary land-use permit steps under way.

• Funding reaches $450,000.

2024

• Land-use permit application submitted, city review begins.

• Viewpoint construction scheduled for summer, with opening set for fall.

The Latest

• April 8, 2024 - Anacortes City Council unanimously approves $75,000 in lodging tax funds for the viewpoint project. The funding is available for one year and must be the last dollars spent on the project. Rotary has now raised $525,000. The project is expected to cost $550,000.

• March 20, 2024 - Fourteen-day public comment period opens. Deadline for comments on the viewpoint project is 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 3. Written comments can be emailed to Grace Pollard in the city planning department at gracep@cityofanacortes.org or mailed to Grace Pollard, City of Anacortes Planning, Community, and Economic Development Department, PO Box 547, Anacortes Washington 98221

The legal notice announcing the comment period is officially for a Critical Areas Permitted Alterations Application for the construction of an ADA accessible view platform and the construction of one (1) additional parking space at Cap Sante Park.

• Jan. 19, 2024 - City applies for the necessary land-use permit.