Hoquiam, WA - The Port of Grays Harbor will request funding for a new 28th Street boat launch in Hoquiam. Port Commissioners yesterday authorized the grant application to the Recreation and Conservation Office for the project which would build permanent bathrooms, replace launch floats and debris barrier as well as provide additional parking and lighting. Those improvements are different than the previous grant request, in the sense that our engineers looked at the facility again and at this point and time it's been decided that it's really not worth saving. So everything will be rebuilt. - Mark Horton, Director of Environmental and Engineering Services Port staff have prepared an application seeking $1.0 million toward the $1.368 million project, Horton said the project would not affect the observation tower.
The RCO Will review applications and should contact grant recipients sometime this fall, if awarded, construction would begin sometime next summer.
Each Fall, hundreds of fishermen launch their boat into the Chehalis River at the Port of Grays Harbor’s 28th Street boat launch in Hoquiam. Built in the 1990’s, this important public access point is in need of rehabilitation and upgrades to better accommodate the users. With most of the design and engineering of the improvements complete, the Port of Grays Harbor Commissioners took the next step today, passing a resolution requesting funding from the Washington State Recreation Conservation Office (RCO). In 2009, the Port initiated a public planning process to identify improvements needed at the facility. The process, led by the Grays Harbor Council of Governments, identified the need for permanent restrooms, replacement of launch floats, improved debris barriers, additional parking and additional lighting. Last year the RCO funded the majority of the design and engineering costs of the improvements with a grant to the Port. Port staff have prepared an application seeking $1.0 million toward the $1.368 million project. “This is a key public access area for our citizens and an important piece of Port infrastructure,” reported Commission President Chuck Caldwell. “Our partnership with the State and our tenant, Westport Shipyards, made this facility possible. I am optimistic that the State will continue their partnership and help us fund these improvements. Public access to the waterfront is one of the functions of this deep-water shipping port on Washington’s Pacific Coast. The Port of Grays Harbor manages four international shipping terminals, over one thousand acres of industrial property, Washington’s largest commercial fish landing port –the Westport Marina and Bowerman Airport, a jet-capable aviation facility. Hundreds of businesses utilize the Port’s assets to generate jobs and economic activity for the region. For more information visit PortofGraysHarbor.com.
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