PORT TOWNSEND – At least one of six Washington State Ferries vehicle holding sites suggested Tuesday in Port Townsend is off the table, Port of Port Townsend officials say.
Larry Crockett, port executive director, said the port’s boat yard storage site was not an option for an alternative holding site for vehicles waiting to board the ferry.
“It’s the first I have seen of it, and we do not concur,” Crockett said on Wednesday.
State ferries officials reported on Tuesday that private construction at the Indian Point site could commence next spring, which would eliminate that section of Water Street as a vehicle holding site.
Ferries travel between Port Townsend and Keystone on Whidbey Island.
After construction begins at Indian Point, parking along the most southerly stretch of Water Street would revert to residences and businesses.
State ferries officials are looking at temporary holding space options to offset the loss.
Port Commissioner Bob Sokol agreed that the boat storage site at the port’s boat yard adjacent to the Port Townsend Brewing Co. would not work.
“The space is at a premium at the Boat Haven,” Sokol said. “To give it up to sometime parking, the revenue we get off that is just too much.”
Hadley Green, Washington State Ferries community relations manager, said the six holding sites were suggested by the city of Port Townsend.
Crockett said PDN‘s contact was the first time he had heard of the 80-vehicle holding site possibly being inside the Boat Haven.
The port executive was interviewed Tuesday by the Peninsula Daily News, but did not understand that the new port boat storage site was being considered.
Green said she would contact Crockett to discuss the option more.
