PORT TOWNSEND — There’s one obvious sign that a $3.5 million marina renovation project is about to begin at Hudson Point: Few boats are moored there.
That is in stark contrast to a month ago when more than 150 boats jammed the popular marina for the 30th annual Wooden Boat Festival.
Next year, Port officials say, the festival will have a new place to grow, complete with additional moorage, a kayak launch, accessible gangways and environmentally friendly pilings and planks.
“We are very hopeful to have the go-ahead by Nov. 1,” said Port Executive Director Larry Crockett.
Some initial upland utility work is scheduled to get Port Gamble-based contractor Caicos Corporation under way on the project this week.
Port commissioners originally granted Caicos approval to begin work any time after Sept. 20.
A notice to proceed was signed Thursday with Caicos to begin on all the uplands work and on constructing new docks, said Crockett.
Port officials have one permit approval left to get.
That is with the federal Department of Fish and Wildlife through the Corps of Engineers for clearance on the project’s impact on marine life.
Permits already have been approved for the project from state Fish and Wildlife, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, Port officials said.
Crockett said the Corps has drafted an approval letter that is awaiting federal Fish and Wildlife final approval.
After final permit
What happens after the final permit comes through?
Then comes the hard work.
That includes demolition of all but two docks, one at the east side of the marina where P.S. Express’ orca whale tours Glacier Spirit is moored, and another short dock adjacent to the marine haulout closest to the Cupola House.
All other docks will be demolished and 174 pilings will be removed, said Crockett.
Creosote covered pilings will be taken to the Kimberly Clark toilet paper mill in Everett where they will be used as hog fuel to produce power, the Port executive said.
“They could be here in November ripping everything out,” said Crockett.
That’s why notices have been sent out to the remaining Hudson Point moorage tenants.
The notices let them know that they could be asked to move within 24 hours to make way for work to begin.
About 20 Hudson Point moorage tenants have been moved south to the Port’s Boat Haven while the project is under way, said Crockett.
“We probably are removing 80 percent of the existing facility,” said Crockett.
The project will increase the facility’s capacity by about 20 percent when completed.
“It will give us more flexibility and allow the Wooden Boat Festival to grow substantially and have more boats,” said Crockett.
