Riverfront living in Camas and Washougal is changing fast. If you are eyeing Hyas Point and wondering how to get in early, you are not alone. You want clear facts on timing, what is actually for sale, and how to position yourself for value. In this guide, you will learn the current timeline, the rental versus for‑sale reality, key due diligence steps, and smart ways to buy nearby while the project builds out. Let’s dive in.
Hyas Point at a glance
Hyas Point is a mixed‑use riverfront neighborhood led by RKm Development in partnership with the Port of Camas‑Washougal. The site sits along the Columbia River near the Camas and Washougal border and is planned as a multi‑phase community with housing, retail, public plazas, and a riverwalk. You can review the developer’s vision and updates on the Hyas Point official project site.
The land reuses the former Hambleton Bros. lumber‑mill log‑yard, a remediated brownfield of roughly 21 to 23 acres. The Washington Department of Ecology documents cleanup actions and long‑term controls on soil disturbance and groundwater use. If you want the technical record, read Ecology’s cleanup page for the Hambleton Bros. Log Yard, which includes the environmental covenant and remedial reports on the Ecology site.
Timeline you can track
Public officials and the development team held a groundbreaking on October 31, 2024, marking the start of Phase 1 construction. You can see coverage in the local paper’s piece on the event, officials celebrate groundbreaking on the Washougal waterfront.
The developer has reported steady progress and noted a structural top‑out milestone for a first mid‑rise building in late 2025. You can follow their updates on the Hyas Point milestone post. Phase 1 construction is expected to continue into 2026 and 2027, depending on workstreams and approvals. As with any waterfront brownfield build, timelines can shift.
Local reporting has already documented subsurface surprises. Crews found unexpected buried wood materials and old foundations that required extra excavation, which led to schedule adjustments. The Post‑Record covered these issues in a report on unexpected finds delaying work on the waterfront. Use the developer’s latest, dated schedule before making time‑sensitive plans.
What buying early really means
Here is the key reality: Phase 1 focuses on apartments and ground‑floor retail, not for‑sale condos or townhomes. Public materials and reporting have emphasized rental housing in the first phase. For background, see the preview article that details the initial program in a detailed look at future Hyas Point.
What this means for you:
- If you want to own a home inside Hyas Point, confirm directly with the developer or Port whether any for‑sale units are scheduled for an upcoming phase. Ask for product type, target dates, and how they plan to handle presales.
- Many “early” purchasers will instead buy nearby resale homes, betting on neighborhood uplift as the riverfront opens and retail arrives.
- If you plan to rent first, you can monitor apartment release dates while you watch for future ownership opportunities.
Who early opportunities fit
- Move‑up buyers who want river access and long‑term lifestyle value, but who are comfortable buying a nearby home during construction.
- Relocators who want to land now in Camas or Washougal and enjoy growing amenities over the next few years.
- Small investors who expect stronger rental demand close to the riverfront and future walkability.
Upside to weigh
- Public riverfront access and a connected trail network are core draws. The area around Parkers Landing already highlights walkability improvements and open‑space design. For a sense of waterfront placemaking in the district, see the Parkers Landing project overview from the landscape team at GreenWorks.
- A mixed‑use node with plazas, restaurants, and services can push demand higher over time. Waterfront revitalization often adds value to nearby properties, although timing and magnitude vary by market conditions and project pace.
- Proximity to downtown Camas, the Columbia River, and Columbia Gorge access supports a lifestyle that tends to stay in demand.
Tradeoffs to plan for
- Construction activity will be present for several seasons. Local leaders have discussed temporary construction parking, roundabout work, and short‑term traffic adjustments. See the update on possible construction disruptions and traffic changes.
- Schedule risk is real on a remediated, waterfront site. Subsurface surprises and incremental approvals can shift dates, as covered in the report on unexpected finds and delays.
- Near‑term noise, staging, and event‑day parking pressure are normal with a project of this scale. If you buy nearby, ask for seasonal construction calendars and planned mitigation.
Environmental and shoreline factors
This site carries recorded environmental controls stemming from its industrial past. Ecology’s record documents contaminants addressed during cleanup, a Cleanup Action Plan, and an environmental covenant that limits soil disturbance and prohibits use of groundwater for drinking. Before you buy in or adjacent to the project, review the covenant and remedial action reports on the Ecology cleanup page, and consider having an attorney explain how the controls affect landscaping, excavation, and future improvements.
You should also confirm flood‑risk details for any parcel you consider. Use FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center to look up flood zone and base‑flood elevation. Check your lender’s requirements and compare National Flood Insurance Program options with private coverage. Start with the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
Market snapshot and pricing context
City‑level medians provide a helpful anchor as you explore options around Hyas Point. As of January 2026, Redfin snapshots show the Camas median sale price around $712,500, Washougal around $649,950, and Clark County around $550,000. Different data vendors track different metrics and can show slightly different medians, so note the source and date when you compare.
For early movers, the key is relative value and lifestyle fit. A well‑located Camas or Washougal home that places you near the riverfront can capture long‑term demand, even if you buy before the cranes leave.
Due diligence checklist before you buy
Work through these items to protect your decision:
- Project information and schedule
- Read the developer’s news and project overview on the Hyas Point official site.
- Ask the developer for their latest dated schedule, including top‑out, inspections, and certificate of occupancy targets. Request contingencies for delays.
- Product type and release plan
- Confirm whether any for‑sale units are included in upcoming phases. If yes, ask for product type, pricing guidance, and a presale calendar in writing. For Phase 1 context, review the Post‑Record’s detailed look at future Hyas Point.
- Environmental records
- Download the environmental covenant, Cleanup Action Plan, remedial completion reports, and any monitoring summaries on the Ecology cleanup page. Have your attorney explain the restrictions.
- Construction impacts and access
- Check local updates on parking, roundabout work, and event schedules in the Post‑Record’s piece on construction disruptions. Ask for current traffic control plans.
- Flood and insurance
- Verify flood zone and base‑flood elevation on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Get quotes for NFIP and private flood insurance, then compare coverage.
- Market comps
- If you are buying nearby instead of inside Hyas Point, ask your agent for recent comparable sales within a walkable radius and review inventory trends for Camas and Washougal. Use MLS as the source of truth for pricing and days on market.
How to buy nearby with confidence
If you plan to capture Hyas Point’s upside by purchasing adjacent to the project, use these tactics:
- Focus on location and access. Prioritize homes with easy routes to the riverfront paths, Parkers Landing, and downtown Camas or Washougal.
- Ask listing agents about construction calendars. Negotiate a closing timeline that avoids major utility or roadwork windows when possible.
- Plan for sound and parking. Look for layouts with a quiet bedroom orientation, and check on‑street parking rules during construction phases.
- Write offers that balance speed and protection. Use inspection timelines that allow for flood and environmental diligence, not just general home systems.
- Model both lifestyle and investment. Consider long‑term rental demand, especially for homes with separate work or guest spaces near the waterfront.
Your next step
Buying early near Hyas Point can be a smart play if you understand timing, product type, and the site’s environmental and shoreline context. With the right plan, you can enjoy the waterfront lifestyle sooner and be well positioned for long‑term value.
If you want a clear path and on‑the‑ground support, schedule a consult. Our team brings a lending background, fast coordination, and local market insight across Camas and Washougal. Connect with Peter Cutile to map your options, line up diligence, and move with confidence.
FAQs
What is Hyas Point and where is it located?
- Hyas Point is a multi‑phase, mixed‑use riverfront neighborhood on Port of Camas‑Washougal land along the Columbia River near the Camas and Washougal border, with project details available on the Hyas Point site.
Are there condos or townhomes for sale in Phase 1 of Hyas Point?
- Public materials emphasize apartments and retail in Phase 1, not for‑sale units; verify any ownership offerings directly with the developer and review the 2022 preview in the Post‑Record’s detailed look at future Hyas Point.
When will Phase 1 open to residents and shoppers?
- The team celebrated groundbreaking on October 31, 2024, reported a top‑out milestone in late 2025, and expects construction activity to continue into 2026 and 2027, with exact dates subject to change; follow updates on the project news.
How will construction affect daily life near Hyas Point?
- Expect periods of noise, staging, temporary parking lots, and traffic changes related to roundabout work and public improvements, as outlined in coverage of possible construction disruptions.
Is the site safe given its industrial history?
- The site underwent a Cleanup Action Plan with long‑term controls; Ecology records include an environmental covenant that limits soil disturbance and prohibits groundwater use for drinking, which you can review on the Ecology cleanup page.
Do I need flood insurance if I buy near Hyas Point?
- Check the property’s flood zone and base‑flood elevation on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, then confirm your lender’s requirements and compare insurance options.
What are current home prices in Camas and Washougal?
- As of January 2026, Redfin snapshots show the Camas median around $712,500 and Washougal around $649,950, with Clark County near $550,000; medians vary by data source and change over time, so use dated MLS comps for decisions.
