Kalama McMenamins hotel won’t delay Tacoma Elks project

A recently announced McMenamins hotel on the Columbia River will not delay the opening of the company’s hotel in the historic Tacoma Elks Temple, a company spokeswoman said Thursday.

The Longview Daily News reported that McMenamins sealed a deal for a three-story, $9.8 million Hawaiian tiki-themed hotel at the Port of Kalama. Like many other McMenamins properties, it will have a brewery and restaurant.

“We don't anticipate the Kalama project having any impact time-wise on the Tacoma project,” wrote McMenamins marketing director Renee Rank Ignacio in an email about its plans for the Tacoma Elks building. “They are completely different.”

She said the Kalama property could open by the end of 2017.

McMenamins bought the 100-year-old Tacoma Elks Temple in 2009. The company began serious work on the property last fall.

When completed, the lodge could have around 46 hotel rooms. Some of the hotel rooms will be “cabin” style throughout the fifth-floor ballroom, which will be illuminated by a giant skylight and decorated with greenery. The company has said it expects to open the historic lodge at 545 Broadway in summer 2017.

The city of Tacoma continues to negotiate with McMenamins for agreements related to Old City Hall just across the street from the Elks project.

“(The Kalama hotel) doesn’t have any impact on what we’ve been working on,” said Elly Walkowiak with the city’s economic development department. The city is negotiating with McMenamins on two agreements: A lease and purchase agreement and a development agreement.

The city bought Old City Hall last year for $4 million. McMenamins’ was the top of four proposals to reinvent Old City Hall, a 122-year-old building at 625 Commerce Street.

Walkowiak has said the city plans to set deadlines with McMenamins to ensure Old City Hall’s construction begins after the Elks is completed. Walkowiak said the City Council could vote on contracts with McMenamins for the Old City Hall project by summer.

When completed, Old City Hall could have 60 hotel rooms; bars showcasing the jailhouse, clock tower and rooftop greenhouse; a rooftop restaurant; soaking pools; community/private meeting and event spaces; and a gift shop.

Financing for the Kalama project includes a significant lift from local governments. The Port of Kalama will invest $6.8 million in the project, with McMenamins adding another $3 million, the Daily News reported. Cowlitz County could also add another $250,000 from a fund for rural economic development.

Unlike the Kalama project, the Tacoma Elks property will not rely on significant government investment. The company is seeking local investors, according to its website at elkstempleproperties.com.

This story was originally published March 25, 2016 at 12:39 PM with the headline "Kalama McMenamins hotel won’t delay Tacoma Elks project."