PORT TOWNSEND — A proposal for a passenger ferry between Seattle and Port Townsend could take another step toward fruition today when Port of Port Townsend commissioners consider accepting grant funding.
But one of the three port commissioners says he will vote against the resolution to accept a $1.3 million grant from the federal Department of Transportation to build or purchase a boat for the route.
“This is the last chance to stop the project,” said Dave Thompson, who represents District 2, on Tuesday.
“It would be nice if the other commissioners listened to reason,” he added.
The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. at 375 Hudson St.
As planned, the port would own the boat while its operation would be contracted to Puget Sound Express in Port Townsend.
Thompson said that he and Port Director Larry Crockett attended a meeting in Seattle recently where five necessary criteria were cited for successful operation of a foot ferry.
The points listed were a dedicated ridership, complete support of the community, no alternate route, twice the money needed for operation and a 50 percent subsidy.
“This proposal doesn’t fit any of the criteria,” Thompson said.
“It’s not feasible, since it will cost $1,000 in fuel for each round trip.
“I think we should just give the money back.”
For the grant to be declined, Thompson would have to persuade one of the other commissioners, John Collins or Leif Erickson, to agree with his position.
Collins said Tuesday that he “has found no reason to not vote to accept the money.”
Erickson could not be reached for comment but has consistently supported the idea, said Jim Pivarnik, port deputy director.
Thompson said he has not voted against the various stages of the proposal because of Erickson’s and Collins’ position.
His vote in opposition “would only be a gesture,” he said.
The vote to decline the grant, however, is a gesture worth making, he said.
Proponents of the ferry such as Crockett and Pivarnik are aware of Thompson’s position, stating that his criteria does not apply to the proposal.
“Commissioner Thompson has been against this for years,” Pivarnik said.
“He doesn’t think it will be good for the locals.
“He favors providing affordable public transportation to local people, which is not our purpose.
“We are using a different model, which is not to serve the locals but to bring tourists to Port Townsend.”
If the resolution is approved, the port will schedule meetings with officials with the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and government agencies as well with as the general public to determine what the boat and the service should include.
Puget Sound Express, as operators of the service, would participate in the meetings.
After the meetings, the port would put out a bid for the boat’s construction.
The service is scheduled to begin in August 2013 on an irregular schedule which would evolve in response to passenger reaction, the port has said.
Today’s meeting, which is the last for Collins before he leaves office, will be followed by a reception in his honor at 2:30 p.m.
Collins, who chose to not run for re-election, will be replaced by Steve Tucker, who ran unopposed.
Tucker has shown strong support for the passenger ferry project in the past, according to Pivarnik.
________
Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
