PORT TOWNSEND — There is a possibility that Point Hudson Marina could reopen as much as a month ahead of schedule if construction of the new north jetty continues at its current pace, Port of Port Townsend commissioners were told.
“We’re in the homestretch,” director of capital projects Matt Klontz said at last Wednesday’s meeting.
“We’re making good progress.”
Orion Marine Contractors was on track to complete all below-water work by last Sunday and likely will finish before its March 1 deadline, Klontz said.
If that occurs, the marina, which has been closed since September, might be available earlier than originally planned.
Klontz said there had been internal discussions about opening the marina as early as Feb. 1, but that would depend on results of an inspection of the facility to determine what, if any, repairs were needed.
Orion’s remaining work on Phase 1 of the two-phase project includes installing pile caps, breaking down the job site and restoring the portion of the RV park it occupied.
Phase 2 involves rebuilding the south jetty on the same September-to-March construction schedule.
Completing the south jetty within the same five-month window will be challenging, Klontz said, because it is not only larger than the north jetty, but more exposed to the elements.
“It’s going to be tight,” Klontz said.
The commissioners discussed preparations for the special meeting at 6 p.m. today at the Chimacum Grange, 9572 Rhody Drive, where the public will have an opportunity to learn about and comment on the port’s possible purchase of the 253-acre Short’s Family Farm in Chimacum Valley.
The port in September entered into a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) with owners Roger and Sandy Short that gave it four months in which to negotiate terms and a price. The LOI expires Jan. 28.
“This is more of a listening meeting than anything else,” said port Executive Director Eron Berg. “Anyone is welcome to share their perspective.”
An environmental report on the property was completed in December. However, the port has not received an appraisal for the property from the consultant it hired.
“Until we have the appraisal, there’s no way for us to move forward for the next step in negotiating,” Berg said.
The port had previously estimated the cost to purchase the farm to be more than $2 million.
If the purchase goes through, it would still be a 12- to 24-month process to develop a strategy for the farm, Berg said.
“The plan is to work with those in the local ag community to inform how this property could best serve that community,” Berg said. “That’s how the port will effectuate its goals.”
The Jefferson Land Trust owns a conservation easement on the property that limits its use to agricultural purposes and protects the wildlife habitat on it.
“I really want to hear from the farming community whether it’s a good idea or not and if they’re interested in walking down this path with us,” Commissioner Pam Patranek said.
A representative from Jefferson Land Trust will be at the special meeting, Berg said.
All documents related to Short’s Family Farm can be found on the port’s website at tinyurl.com/4arm4rsr.
The port’s other actions and items last week included:
• Approved a continuation of its 2022 offices for 2023: Pam Petranek, president; Carol Hasse, vice president; and Pete Hanke, secretary.
• Approved the Peninsula Trails Coalition’s request the port become co-applicants for the purposes of obtaining federal funding for its Puget Sound to Pacific Project (PS2P) that will connect communities in Clallam, Jefferson and Kitsap counties to the state’s trail network.
The coalition had made a presentation to the commissioners at their morning workshop at which it explained that funding would be used to connect gaps in the Olympic Discovery and Sound to Olympics trails. It sought the commissioners’ support because part of the Olympic Discovery Trail crosses the port’s property along the Port Townsend waterfront.
“This is just the beginning swing at the ball and there’s going to be lots of room for discussion as far as what the eventual trail makeup looks like and the route,” Hanke said.
• Reservations for the 2023 season at Point Hudson Marina and the RV Park open at 10 a.m. today. Information can be found at tinyurl.com/2p98jdat.
________
Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached at paula.hunt@soundpublishing.com.
