PORT TOWNSEND — Saying they need more information before they can make a decision, the Port of Port Townsend commissioners Thursday postponed until next Wednesday a decision on awarding a contract to reconstruct the AB Docks of Boat Haven marina.
“We weren’t really planning to make a decision today,” Port Commissioners Chairman John Collins said Thursday, adding he expects a decision will be made when the commissioners meet at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in their chambers at the port offices, 375 Hudson St.
“This will get us back on schedule.”
The commissioners met in closed executive session Thursday to discuss the matter with their attorney.
Awarding the contract to rebuild the dilapidated AB Docks at Boat Haven marina, a project about five years in the making, would put the wheels in motion to immediately begin out-of-water dock construction.
The port received nine bids last month of $3 million or more.
The apparent low bidder was Redside Construction LLC of Port Gamble at $3.08 million, said Executive Director Larry Crockett, but he and other port officials must ensure that the contractor would be both “responsive and responsible” to carry out the work.
The project will replace aging recreational boat docks and slips for about 100 boats.
All but one of the bids opened at the port offices were under the port’s engineering estimate of $3.96 million.
About 24 firms contacted the port in recent weeks about bidding on the project, but nine actually submitted bid packages.
In-water work would have to be completed by Feb. 15 when the state closes the allowable in-water work period intended to protect migrating salmon.
Electrical work and installation of gangways can still be done when the fish window closes to in-water work because it is above water and does not disturb the salmon migration.
Boats should be allowed to return to the new marina after project completion in mid- to late April 2011, Crockett said.
The AB Docks project, like Point Hudson Marina’s upgrade in 2006-2007, would be upgraded to American with Disabilities Act specifications, city building codes, although space for about 13 boats would be lost.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
