Special Purpose Public Entities
A special purpose public entity frequently is created to undertake a project or the delivery of certain services for a variety of reasons including nimbleness, dedicated focus, access to citizen expertise through its governance, or as a bridge between and among multiple parties to such efforts. Pacifica’s expertise in this area is both widely recognized and highly regarded.
Pacifica’s lawyers serve as counsel to virtually all types of special purpose public entities formed under Washington State law, including public development authorities, public facilities districts, and multi-jurisdictional undertakings governed by interlocal agreements, among others. These entities can serve critically useful roles in the development and operation of many types of facilities and programs.
Representative Clients
Our public development authority clients include those that own and operate such iconic institutions as Seattle’s Pike Place Public Market and the historic Fort Worden campus in Port Townsend. Others have restored or developed numerous mixed-use buildings in Seattle’s International District, many of which include affordable housing; historic structures throughout Seattle; and affordable housing projects in Seattle and numerous other cities. Others play more limited roles on behalf of cultural institution clients such as the Seattle Art Museum and the Museum of Flight.
Public facility district clients include the Washington State Convention Center and the entities that own and oversee the operation of T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field.
Multijurisdictional Entities Formed Under the Interlocal Cooperation Act
We have significant experience in forming multi-jurisdictional clients under the Interlocal Cooperation Act to accomplish regional public projects and goals. In addition to our experience negotiating, drafting and reviewing interlocal agreements, we have formed joint boards, governmental administrative agencies, and governmental Washington nonprofit organizations under the Interlocal Cooperation Act. We also have paired multi-jurisdictional entities with public development authorities for the purpose of providing capital financing for public facilities.
With our widely recognized experience in this space, Pacifica is frequently asked to advise public and private project proponents on the most suitable form of special purpose entity that should be deployed for a particular project. Recently, Pacifica advised the Interbay Public Development Advisory Committee established by the State Legislature to evaluate options for the redevelopment of the site of the State National Guard’s Interbay Armory, likely to be relocated elsewhere. Among the committee’s tasks was to identify the form of public entity that should be formed to undertake the project.
Practice Attorneys
Deanna Gregory
Gerry Johnson
Jamie L. Lisagor
Faith Pettis
Matthew J. Segal
Jessica A. Skelton
Denise Stiffarm
