Projects

Bastyr University

Bastyr University is a non-profit, private university with a multidisciplinary curriculum in science-based natural medicine. Bastyr is the largest university for natural health arts and sciences in the United States. Pacifica Law Group lawyers served as bond counsel to the Washington Higher Education Facilities Authority in the issuance of $14 million of tax-exempt bonds for Bastyr University’s Student Village. The project consists of 11- LEED certified (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design – an internationally recognized green building certification system) cottage style buildings with the capacity to house 132 students. The project achieved a LEED Platinum certification – the highest available LEED rating.

Camp Korey acquisition of Carnation Dairy Farm

Pacifica lawyers served as bond counsel on a pro bono basis for the placement of $11 million of tax-exempt bonds to finance the acquisition of the historic Carnation Farm. Camp Korey is the Paul Newman “Hole in the Wall” affiliated camp founded to host children with serious illnesses.

City of Tacoma: Cheney Stadium, Municipal Dock and Seaport Museum

Pacifica Law Group bond partners served as lead bond counsel in connection with the issuance of Recovery Zone Facility Bonds, Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds, Build America Bonds, taxable and traditional tax-exempt bonds to finance a number of civic projects, including renovations to Cheney Stadium, the City’s municipal dock and the Seaport Museum. The City used a number of ARRA tools to finance key City projects.

City of Yakima: Capitol Theatre

Pacifica Law Group bond partners served as lead bond counsel to the City on its Capitol Theatre project. The City and the Yakima Regional Public Facilities District financed improvements to the historic Capitol Theatre.

Forterra (fka Cascade Land Conservancy)

Forterra is the Northwest’s largest and most visible regional conservation organization. Pacifica lawyers have supported Forterra since its founding and continue to provide support for Forterra’s signature initiatives including implementation of its visionary Cascade Agenda. In 2011, the Washington State Legislature enacted innovative legislation drafted by Forterra staff and Pacifica lawyers to grant central Puget Sound cities access to tax increment financing to support development projects that utilize development rights transferred from rural working landscapes.

Foss Waterway Development Authority

The FWDA was formed to lead the redevelopment of Tacoma’s historic central waterfront and has been remarkably successful in bringing new life to this critically important area. Pacifica attorneys have worked with the City of Tacoma and the FWDA on a number of new mixed use projects, new marinas, the development of the Museum of Glass, and the expansion of the Foss Waterway Seaport in a renovated historic wharf.

Gonzaga University

Gonzaga University is a private, four-year university located in Spokane, Washington. Pacifica Law Group lawyers served as bond counsel to the Washington Higher Education Facilities Authority in the issuance of tax-exempt bonds for the construction of Gonzaga’s McCarthy Athletic Center, home of the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Kitsap Transit

Pacifica Law Group served as bond counsel for Kitsap Transit on a recent refinancing of its sales tax obligations.

Klickitat Public Utility District: McNary Dam fishway project, H.W. Hill Landfill Gas Power Plant

Pacifica Law Group bond partners served as lead bond counsel in connection with the financing of improvements to the PUD’s landfill gas project, fishway project and other improvements. The H.W. Hill project is the region’s largest landfill gas-to-energy plant, located at the Roosevelt landfill.

Mirabella Retirement Community

Pacifica lawyers served as bond counsel on the issuance of over $250 million of tax-exempt bonds in 2006 by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission for the construction of the Mirabella Retirement Community in South Lake Union.

Museum of History & Industry

With its facility in Seattle’s Montlake neighborhood in the path of the expansion of the SR 520 floating bridge, MOHAI was forced to seek a new location for its museum and back-of-house functions. Pacifica lawyers have supported MOHAI in funding and renovating its new museum in the historic Naval Reserve Building in Lake Union Park under agreements with the City of Seattle.

Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority

Pacifica serves as counsel to the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority, the owner and manager of Seattle’s historic and iconic market. The oldest continuously operating farmers market in the country, the Pike Place Market has a history as colorful as the flowers, produce and crafts on display throughout its open air arcades. Pacifica lawyers have supported the Market for decades, recently helping to secure funding for its most comprehensive renovation in over thirty years. Pacifica lawyers also represented the Market in litigation opposing the Urban Group’s effort to wrest control of the Market from the public.

Safeco Field and Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District

Pacifica lawyers helped keep baseball in the Northwest. We served as general counsel for the PFD, the owner and builder of Safeco Field. We supported the PFD in all aspects of the project including contracting, site assembly, and financing.  We also successfully defended over a dozen lawsuits challenging various aspects of the effort to build the Safeco Field baseball stadium in Seattle. The lawsuits involved a range of issues, including constitutional, environmental and condemnation. The cases were filed in four different counties and three of the cases went to the Washington Supreme Court. Pacifica lawyers also supported the PFD in its dispute with team ownership regarding responsibility for stadium construction cost overruns, achieving a settlement favorable to the public owner.

Seattle Art Museum and Museum Development Authority

Pacifica is counsel to the (Seattle Art) Museum Development Authority, a special purpose public entity formed by the City of Seattle to support the Museum’s development projects. Over the years, Pacifica lawyers have worked on the development of SAM’s original downtown museum, a recent substantial expansion of the museum, and the construction of the Olympic Sculpture Park.

Sound Transit

Pacifica attorneys have represented Sound Transit since its inception, serving as litigation counsel and providing advice on a broad range of issues. Pacifica attorneys have defended Sound Transit in numerous cases including challenges to the constitutionality of the agency and its taxing scheme, claims about compliance with NEPA, alleged Title VII violations, and inverse condemnation claims. Pacifica attorneys have also advised Sound Transit on numerous issues ranging from insurance to public records issues.

Washington State Public Stadium Authority

Pacifica lawyers have supported the Washington State Public Stadium Authority in successful negotiations to replace parking lost to it with the impending redevelopment of the north portion of the CenturyLink Field campus.

Woodland Park Zoo

Pacifica counsels the Woodland Park Zoological Society which operates the highly regarded, award winning Woodland Park Zoo under contract with the City of Seattle. Pacifica lawyers negotiated the agreement with the City and have supported numerous projects and initiatives to continuously improve and strengthen the Zoo, and help it achieve its conservation and education mission. Pacifica lawyers have also represented the Zoo in litigation.