PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles’ development of a master plan for the West Boat Haven Marina took a step forward Tuesday when commissioners approved a $125,000 contract with PDN Engineers.
Under the terms of the agreement, PDN Engineers will create a preliminary design, conduct comprehensive market and feasibility analyses and determine an estimated cost to redevelop the marina.
“This will begin the planning process for the eventual replacement and rehabilitation of the West Boat Haven and a portion of the center section of the Boat Haven,” said Chris Hartman, the port’s director of engineering. “The floats and pilings are all 40 years plus old.”
The project is not just about replacing old infrastructure, he said, but addressing the evolving needs of the marina and those who use it.
“The master plan represents an opportunity to reimagine what that new Boat Haven might look like,” he said.
The port wanted to be strategic in its outreach, Hartman said, by creating an advisory group composed of members from different sectors of the community. That might include commercial and recreational users, those who didn’t use the marina and tribal members.
Commissioner Connie Beauvais suggested holding an open house to let the public know what the port’s plans are.
“I think that opportunity should be out there,” she said.
Just when an open house might be held, early or later in the planning process — and what its function might be, informational or to solicit input — was discussed.
Hartman suggested the board consider working with a company like Makers, which assisted the port with outreach on its 2010 waterfront master plan.
“They really do public engagement well,” he said.
The master plan agreement is funded with a $75,000 grant from the state Community Economic Revitalization Board and a $50,000 port match.
Also Tuesday, the port will add an excavator and telehandler forklift to its fleet of equipment after commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of a CAT excavator with three buckets and a stump grinder attachment and a CAT telehandler forklift.
Public works and facilities manager Wilson Easton said the port’s slate of 2025 and 2026 construction projects led it to change its equipment priorities. Rather than purchasing a skid steer in 2025, it purchased the telehandler forklift instead.
The combined cost of the 2013 excavator ($65,000) and 2014 telehandler ($50,000), plus fees and taxes, amounted to $131,497 — less than the $200,000 in the 2025 budget dedicated to obtaining an excavator and skid steer.
“It’s a good purchase for us,” Easton said.
The port still intends to purchase a skid steer at a later date.
Commissioners also approved a number of leases presented by Caleb McMahon, the port’s director of economic development. They included:
• A lease with Atlas Tower to construct a cellular tower on 2,500 square feet of port property on 18th Street across from Peninsula Pistol and Rifle Club.
Atlas will pay $4,800 a year and $350 for each carrier that uses the tower. The port also will receive one $120,000 payment on completion of the tower.
The 30-year lease includes two five-year options to renew.
In response to Beauvais’ question, McMahon said Atlas Tower would install a fence around the facility.
• A lease extension with the U.S. Coast Guard for 5,000 square feet of property at William R. Fairchild International Airport for a Continuity of Operations site at $200 a month.
The 4 cents per square foot is below its standard land rate of 10 cents per square foot, McMahon said, because the supplies and equipment stored at the site support the USCG’s COOP mission to provide disaster and emergency management support.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached by email at paula.hunt@peninsuladailynews.com.
