notes from a meeting

 of the Port of Hoodsport Commission

december 13, 2006

Call to order:  8:00 a.m.                                                   Adjourned: 8:03 a.m.

Roll Call:       Commissioner Frank Benavente

Commissioner Dick Patterson, absent

Commissioner Tom Young (excused absence)

Guests:  Greg York and Greg Jose, Art Anderson Associates

Since there was not a quorum, the official meeting was cancelled.

Commissioner Benavente, Mr. York and Mr. Jose informally discussed the Hoodsport vision and what Art Anderson Associates could do for the Port. Mr. York commented that the Port did a good job with the Comprehensive Plan, asking what people in the community wanted. He feels that the Port needs to take a more global look – 20 or 30 years down the road. He also stated that we should make sure that we know what is going on in the surrounding areas that may be in competition with us, i.e., a proposed fueling station in Union. Bremerton, for example, chose not to put in a fueling station because of the expense. Alderbrook is more able to cover the high cost of a fueling station than the Port would be.

The obvious first step is the property on which to build. Commissioner Benavente stated that we’re looking at the property that the Port already owns – from the existing dock to Dr. Door’s property. We envision a long pier that could accommodate vendors, community events, etc. Mr. York said that the Fisheries Department is very concerned about the +10 and –10 water lines, and that could impact what we have in mind. He said that we could build something that looks and feels like a pier, without being completely over water, and wouldn’t encroach on the +10 line. It’s possible that we could also slope the shoreline to push out the +10 line. If we stay above the +10 line, there would be no need for Corps of Engineers’ permits.

Commissioner Benavente talked about the Tall Ship project that is in the works and how that might fit into the plan. He also said that we’re hoping to eventually get easements or first right-of-refusal on the upland properties to allow us to put in a boardwalk.

Mr. York and Mr. Jose felt that the restroom would be a good first step, since Mike Purvis is allowing the Port an easement for the drain field. We also need parking on the west side of the highway. They emphasized that, whenever you expand a marina facility, you need upland facilities commensurate with the expansion.

Marinas do not usually make a profit, and most are lucky to break even after a number of years. Slip rates are not keeping up with building costs, and a breakwater adds significantly to the cost of the project. The breakwater in Bremerton took 1/3 of the total project cost. You also have to look at between $60,000 and $100,000 just for ADA requirements. The average cost per slip in Bremerton came to $50,000, with no quick turn-around in income

Mr. York added that they could come up with a sketch plan or bubble plan, which is an image of the vision. In order to do so, we would have to provide “touch points.” They might be the hatchery, a restaurant, maritime shops, a mini-museum, dive points on the canal, etc. Commissioner Benavente said that we should emphasize economic development and the dissolved oxygen issue. He also said that our vision of a marina is more recreational. We currently have approximately 23 slips; accommodating boats up to 25 ft. We’d like to move to possibly 35 slips that would accommodate boats over 25 ft., as well.

Mr. Jose said that they could come up with a drawing(s) and proposal(s) starting with what we already own. Commissioner Benavente said that we’d like to incorporate the Foothills Park community center into the vision. Mr. York added that they’re probably looking at bringing it back a month or so from now.

Commissioner Benavente thanked Mr. Jose and Mr. York for coming to Hoodsport. We look forward to their return with a completed proposal.