Cape D subdivision faced numerous obstacles during seven-year process

ILWACO – After a process that lasted most of a decade, there should have been confetti and champagne. In a special meeting Monday night, the Ilwaco City Council unanimously approved the final plat for Phase 1 of the Discovery Heights development.

Two of the partners in the development, Brian Wirkkala and Rich Marshall, and their wives were on hand for the decision.

“It’s been a long seven years,” Nickie Marshall said. “It’s nice to see something positive going forward for the city.” She said four lots are already committed in Phase 1 with two outright sales and two spec houses proposed. Building is expected to begin within the next six months.

“We’re obviously pleased,” Brian Wirkkala said. “This is an exciting chapter added to the city of Ilwaco. We expect a lot of good things for the city and the area.”

“The improvements in Ilwaco and at the port are a great example of all the people on the Peninsula pulling together,” Eileen Wirkkala said after the meeting. “I’m really proud to be a part of the turnaround in a place where I grew up. They told us the town was dead 15 years ago. It’s wonderful to see things happening that will attract people not just to Ilwaco, but to the entire Peninsula.”

She cited as examples the new businesses at the port, Grays Harbor College’s new building at the port, a new hospital building, museums, Timberland Regional Library, the First and Howerton project, Discovery Trail, and events and festivals that draw tourists to the area, as well as a stable fishing season.

Nickie Marshall added that construction at the development will provide many jobs for people in many trades.

MSW Partnership in 1997 bought the 370-acre wooded tract a few miles north of Cape Disappointment. In addition to dozens of private residential homesites, plans call for a golf course, condominium complex and hotel.