PORT ANGELES — Construction of a boardwalk-like structure west of the ferry terminal could begin as early as spring if funding is found for it, the Port Angeles City Council was told Tuesday.
Bill Grimes of Studio Cascade said the design of the structure, called an esplanade, should be finished in December.
Studio Cascade of Spokane is the lead consultant on the city’s Waterfront and Transportation Improvement Plan.
Water restrictions
Because of restrictions on building over water, construction would begin between March and June and take up to 15 months to complete, said Nathan West, city economic and community development director.
But construction of the $1.9 million structure is dependent on funding, which is still being sought.
West said the city has applied for three federal grants to help cover the cost of the esplanade and other aspects of the waterfront plan.
No decisions have been made on the applications.
The plan includes improvements that would cost up to between $16.7 million and $17.3 million, if fully implemented.
The city is seeking grants to cover 80 percent of the project, which it is breaking up into as much as 14 phases.
If the city can’t attain the funding in time, the project would be delayed a year because of a state-mandated “fish window,” when work is prohibited in order to accommodate salmon mating season, Grimes said.
Park part of plan
The plan involves a new waterfront park, landscape and transportation improvements to Railroad Avenue, and expansion of Hollywood Beach, among other changes.
West said the city would also like to begin construction of the new two-acre park that would sit between Oak Street and the Valley Creek estuary this spring if funding is available.
The council has selected the esplanade as the top priority.
The park concept is split into two halves. Construction of the east half would cost $851,317, according to the City Council’s meeting packet.
Cost estimates for the west half, which would include the two beaches, have yet to be made.
The park would include two small bays with sandy beaches and would accommodate the waterfront trail, among other improvements.
The Waterfront and Transportation Improvement Plan will cost $1.7 million to produce.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
