The planned development, which would be adjacent to the University Place, Wash., property that hosted the 2015 US Open, could include short-term lodging, restaurants, a golf course clubhouse, banquet and meeting space, golf teaching and practice facilities, parking, trail connections, and access to Puget Sound.

Not long after Chambers Bay brought the eyes of the golf world to the region, Pierce County is looking to capitalize by bringing a resort-style development to University Place, Wash., the Tacoma, Wash.-based Business Examiner reported.

The county is looking for a partner to design, finance, construct and operate such a development adjacent to the course. It gained worldwide fame after hosting the 2015 US Open last June, bringing $134 million worth of economic impact to the area, the Business Examiner reported.

The development, according to a release from the county, would include but not be limited to: short term lodging, restaurants, a golf course clubhouse, banquet and meeting space, golf teaching and practice facilities, parking, trail connections, access to Puget Sound and other features, the Business Examiner reported.

“We’re looking for developers who will know how to take advantage of the natural qualities of the site, integrate what’s already here and complement the unique golfing experience at Chambers Bay,” said Tony Tipton, Director of Pierce County Parks and Recreation. “Chambers Bay deserves facilities that are at least comparable to other championship caliber golf courses.”

Chambers Bay is part of the Chambers Creek Properties, 930 acres of open space that includes two miles of shoreline, two and a half miles of forested canyon, 6.5 miles of trails and two playfields. The course itself is a Scottish links-style, 18-hole course, the Business Examiner reported.

In 2008, the county offered a similar opportunity to develop resort-style amenities at Chambers Bay, but interest in developing a clubhouse and other facilities was derailed by the recession, the Business Examiner reported. 

“Financing hospitality projects during the recession was extremely challenging and limited the ability of developers to move forward with their proposals,” said Tipton. “We believe the financing markets have improved enough to warrant another attempt to bring needed amenities to Chambers Bay.”

The selection process will include two phases. Phase One seeks Statements of Qualifications—due by March 4—from interested development teams. Phase Two will seek specific proposals from no more than three of the most qualified teams from Phase One, the Business Examiner reported.