PORT TOWNSEND — The Point Hudson Marina is on target to open today after nearly six months of closure during which the old south jetty was removed and replaced with a new structure.
Port of Port Townsend Capital Projects Director Matt Klontz told commissioners at their Wednesday meeting that Orion Marine Contractors of Tacoma has been hitting all of its milestones in Phase Two of the $14 million Point Hudson jetty replacement project — including completing major work by today.
The port closed the marina after the Wooden Boat Festival ended Sept. 10 so Orion could start preparing for the removal of the south jetty. In January, Orion doubled the number of its crew and shifted to a round-the-clock schedule in order to meet a deadline for underwater work set by state and federal agency biologists.
The final milestone will be completing construction of the pedestrian walkway along the top of the south jetty, which is on track to be completed by March 15. When that occurs, all significant work will be finished on the Point Hudson jetty replacement project that began in September 2022, when removal and replacement of the north jetty commenced.
“It was a team effort,” Klontz said of the 18-month-long Point Hudson project. “Everybody’s had a part in this project, including the greater community.”
The port has planned a grand opening from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. April 24 to celebrate completion of the entire project.
Also Wednesday, commissioners discussed a planned upgrade of the videoconferencing system at the Point Hudson Pavilion Building where they hold meetings. The low bid of $71,893 the port received was double the $30,000 allocated in the 2024 budget. Commissioners have said they want higher-quality audio and video streaming and recording to improve access to meetings and encourage community engagement.
Commissioners asked port staff to reach out to other ports around the state to inquire about their videoconferencing systems and how they are used. While mindful of cost, commissioners said their priority is to work with a reputable vendor that could design and install the system it needs.
“What goes on in this room is important and we owe it to the public to get this right,” Commissioner Pete Hanke said.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached at paula.hunt@peninsuladailynews.com.
