PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles is projecting about $11 million in capital projects in 2025, with about 70 percent of the funding coming from grants, Director of Engineering Chris Hartman said.
Commissioners Connie Beauvais and Colleen McAleer attended Tuesday’s meeting. Commissioner Steve Burke had an excused absence.
Improving the Intermodal Handling and Transfer Facility site ($252,000) led the list of priorities in a draft of the capital plan, followed by Marine Trade Center site development ($1.235 million) and repairs to Marine Terminals 1 and 2 ($1 million). Other capital projects in 2025 include replacing the boat launch float at John Wayne Marina ($340,000), site prep for a new hangar at William R. Fairchild International Airport ($140,000) and the purchase of building materials ($800,000).
Hartman estimated capital spending through the end of 2024 would be $12.54 million; grant reimbursements of $5.76 million would reduce the port’s outlay to $6.78 million. The 2024 budget approved by commissioners included capital expenditures of $14.2 million.
The majority of funds have gone to the Marine Trade Center site, which the port anticipated will reach $8.7 million by the end of the year. Developing the Marine Trade Center site, upgrading Marine Terminals 1 and 2 ($2 million) and upgrading asphalt surfaces at William R. Fairchild International Airport ($140,000) were among the most intense of the port’s capital projects this year.
The port decided to delay some capital projects, Hartman said, to take advantage of grant opportunities. A shore power project, for example, was temporarily put on hold so the port could apply for an EPA grant that could potentially fund about 90 percent of the project.
In her financial report, Jennifer Baker, interim director of finance administration, said the port’s total operating revenues are anticipated to be $117,000 above budget and expenses $232,000 under budget for 2024.
“Overall, we’re doing well,” Baker said.
In other news from the meeting:
The port received clean accountability, financial and federal grant audits from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2023, from the state Auditor’s Office (SAO). Representatives from the SAO shared the results with commissioners and port staff via Zoom. The port’s audit report will be available starting Sept. 30 on the SAO’s website at www.sao.wa.gov.
SAO conducts audits of state and local governments to ensure they use public funds transparently and efficiently.
Commissioners also unanimously approved two lease agreements.
First was the second reading of a five-year lease agreement with Platypus Marine for Marine Terminal 1, to stage equipment and provide access to vessels berthed on its south side. Platypus Marine will pay $1,100 a month when it uses the 11,000-square-foot space.
The other was with Armstrong Consolidated for 16,800 square feet of manufacturing and office space formerly occupied by Stabicraft at the port’s airport business park, 2007 S. O St.
Caleb McMahon, the port’s director of economic development, said Amstrong Consolidated, which operates ACI Boats in Port Townsend, intends to open a manufacturing facility in Port Angeles.
Port Executive Director Paul Jarkiewicz said the port has a 97 percent occupancy rate across all of its properties.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached by email at paula.hunt@peninsuladailynews.com.
