PORT TOWNSEND — About 80 people gathered last week for a final round of public comment on a proposed co-management agreement for Fort Worden State Park, capping a discussion that began 10 months ago.
Comments at the meeting, held in the Fort Worden Commons, will be considered by the state Parks and Recreation Commission when it addresses the proposal this coming Thursday.
Under the proposal, state Parks would continue to operate and maintain the campgrounds and park area of Fort Worden, while a public development authority would manage a “lifelong learning center” at the park that includes about 100 historical buildings.
“It’s time that we take some of these steps rather than thinking about it and talking about it and hoping for it,” said Peter Quinn, CEO of Quimper Mercantile Co., one of about 15 people who spoke at last Thursday’s meeting moderated by Assistant Parks Director Larry Fairleigh.
“Some might say this is a dare, and people in Port Townsend take dares,” Quinn said. “We make our own beer, we make our own stores, and we make our lives.”
Terri McCulloch, who consistently has opposed the idea of the Fort Worden Lifelong Learning Center Public Development Authority taking over management responsibilities, disagreed.
“The PDA has no money for the next 10 years,” McCulloch said.
“It will take over the park and will continue to get money from the parks system.
“If you were a legislator trying to save the parks system and found out someone was writing a blank check to a single park at the expense of the other 112 parks, you would realize that it doesn’t make sense,” she said.
State Parks commissioners will consider the agreement when they meet in the Longhouse at the Monroe Fairgrounds, 14405 179th Ave. S.E., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday.
Pleased by turnout
“I was pleased by the turnout,” at last week’s meeting, said parks Commissioner Rodger Schmidt, a Port Townsend resident who has attended most of the public development authority’s deliberative meetings since discussions began in February.
While saying he spoke only for himself and not for other commissioners, Schmidt predicted that the commission would approve the plan and instruct parks staff to take the next step of developing specifics.
Under the plan, the state Parks system’s potential contribution would depend on funding by the state Legislature, with the possibility that funding could be cut to zero, State Parks officials have said.
The public development authority is proposing to take on all reservation services for accommodations, meeting rooms and campgrounds.
The plan also proposes that the public development authority manage the 16 tenant agreements in the state park.
“This is a model that is being looked at in a lot of other places,” said Jim Costello, a member of the Centrum board.
“This shows history being made,” he added.
“The state Parks system does a great job running state parks, but this collaboration offers so much potential.”
Exit strategy?
Some asked what will happen if the agreement between state Parks and the public development authority formed by the city of Port Townsend fails.
“Proponents of the PDA are quick to point out that the city won’t be liable for debts incurred by the PDA,” Barbara Pastore said.
“The city may not be legally obligated, but what will happen when the startup money runs out?
“Years from now, future PDA board members will meet with future City Council members and plead for money because the city will have a moral obligation to support its junior partner,” she said.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
