FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information:
Carolyn Casey, Port of Bellingham: 360-676-2500
Marlin Gimbel, Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute: 360-748-8632
Construction Begins for Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute
[Bellingham, Wash.] The Port of Bellingham is pleased to announce that Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute began construction this week on 1.9 acres of leased land near the Bellingham International Airport.
"We welcome Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute to the community and believe their services will benefit people throughout our region and will add strength to the growing medical sector of our local economy," said Port Commission President Scott Walker. "We appreciate their patience while we worked to resolve issues to provide water services to their property."
Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute recently received a building permit to construct a 9,300 square foot surgery center on Mitchell Way. The high-tech eye care facility will provide a low-stress, comfortable, homelike atmosphere. The company acquired a land lease from the Port in 2007 that extends over a 25-year period with two 15-year renewal periods.
The general contractor is Schwiesow Construction and the facility should be completed by February 2010. Approximately 12 part and full-time employees will work out of this new surgery center.
"We have been caring for patients from this community ever since our organization started," said Marlin Gimbel, the Institute's director of professional relations. "The new facility will save the long drive to our Bellevue office and make our specialized surgical care a lot more convenient."
Founded in 1985, in Chehalis, Washington, Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute operates 16 surgery centers throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and New Mexico. The company does not advertise. Instead, patients are referred by family eye doctors. The Institute provides high caliber medical eye care with special expertise in cataract surgery and laser vision correction.
The Port of Bellingham operates Whatcom County's major transportation terminals including the Bellingham Airport, Fairhaven Transportation Station and the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. The Port also serves about 2,000 moorage customers in its Blaine and Squalicum Harbors.
In addition, about 250 businesses operate on Port properties. The Port of Bellingham is a countywide independent special purpose government.
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