PORT TOWNSEND — Buying and eliminating the US Bank building and relocating Rotary Park were among four Washington State Ferries terminal expansion options discussed Thursday night.
At a public information meeting that drew about 40 people to The Commons at Fort Worden State Park, state ferries officials also pondered the expected loss of remote holding space at Indian Point south of the ferry terminal when commercial developers move forward with plans.
That area holds about 90 cars during peak summer months.
Although all of the ferry-terminal expansion options are subject to change as public opinion helps mold them in the coming years, one thing is certain, said Russ East, director of terminal engineering for Washington State Ferries:
“The reality is that the docking structures here truly are at the end of the lives.”
That means the facility, except for the existing 100-car holding trestle off Water Street, needs replacement.
“They’re pieces of junk and they’re falling apart,” East said.
Emergency replacement
In January, the ferry system contracted General Construction to perform emergency replacement of wingwalls in the ferry tie-up slip at a cost of $859,737. That work was completed in February.
Initial cost estimates for overall terminal preservation and expansion are about $21 million, and that money is expected to become available through the state’s 5 cent gas tax and the capital budget program.
Ferry dock improvement options unveiled Thursday night were designed to handle 130-car midsize ferries that would require holding space of between 200 and 300 vehicles.