PORT TOWNSEND — The Port of Port Townsend commissioners, who are approaching the final stage of mapping the port’s first strategic plan, will consider fine-tuning it and returning it to a citizens advisory group Wednesday.
Port officials describe the plan as a blueprint for thinking about capital improvements, economic development, community partnerships and what the port should look like in the future.
The plan was initiated in April 2008 because the port commissioners wanted to develop a clear vision and set of objectives to guide port activities in a manner responsive to community needs.
The plan outlines the port’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
“It’s a 10,000-foot view, looking over trends and where we can or should be going,” said port Commissioner John Collins, who campaigned in 2007 on a platform of long-range planning.
A workshop on the port’s strategic plan is scheduled at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in the port commissioners’ chambers at the port offices, 375 Hudson St. in Port Townsend.
The port commissioners are expected to consider some fine-tuning to the plan and refer it back to the citizens advisory group it appointed to move the plan through a process facilitated by port-hired consultants Dave Robison, Eric Toews and Bill Wise.
“It’s an opportunity to have community input and community involvement of what the port should be in the coming years,” Collins said.
“We have a continuing role and we want to continue the core values of community we are serving.”
Points of plan
The plan now lists the Boat Haven marina, marine work yards and industrial park as the port’s top strength, along with traditional maritime culture and its attractive and unique location.
Listed as top weaknesses are a shortage of port land and necessary infrastructure, a contentious port and community political culture and inadequate policy and planning framework.
Other weaknesses noted in the draft plan are port organization and operational-internal culture, local economic conditions and a changing workforce demographic.
Opportunities cited include community collaboration and consensus building, coordinated economic development leadership, partnerships with local governments, nonprofit organizations and businesses, and more efficiently using land through changing zoning regulations.
Threats to the port named in the plan are “politicized” and “polarized” local politics, inadequate planning and management, an increasingly weak economy, a changing regulatory environment, competition from other ports, a contracting and departing fishing industry and limited future financial capability and options for new initiatives.
‘Living document’
Collins acknowledged that the planning was a “living document” that will go through ongoing adjustment as times change.
Longtime port Commissioner Herb Beck said the strategic plan “was put together by the whole community. That, to me, is the most important thing.”
He said the process has been educational, not only for port commissioners but also community members.
“It’s been a learning experience, and we have become more attached to the community, and the communities have learned a lot about each other,” Beck said.
Port Executive Director Larry Crockett and Deputy Director Jim Pivarnik have been involved with a strategic plan citizens advisory group that include port staffer Larry Aase, Brinnon resident Joe Baisch, Northwest Maritime Center Managing Director Kaci Cronkhite, airport representative B.J. Hallinan, and Port Townsend restaurateur David Hero.
Also, environmental representative Gabrielle LaRoche, education representative Bob Lawrence, moorage tenant representative Bertram Levy, business representative Bob Little, marine trades representative David King, resident Ted Pike, Fort Worden representative Steve Shively, Jefferson County representative Al Scalf, marine trades representative Les Schnick, city of Port Townsend representative Rick Sepler, moorage tenants representatives Karen Sullivan and Gary Rossow, and Steve Tucker, small boats representative.
The port owns, operates and maintains about 550 acres of property that supports uses on marinas in Port Townsend and Quilcene, boat and ship yards, commercial uplands, park lands, shoreline public access areas and Jefferson County International Airport.
The countywide port taxing district’s purpose is primarily focused on economic development, providing water transportation facilities that support commerce and communities, and stewardship of public lands and providing shoreline access.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
