Tag Archives: ferry maintenance yard

Sun endorses Eagle Harbor dock plan

The Kitsap Sun’s editorial board urged the city of Bainbridge to accept Washington State Ferries’ $2 million offer and use the money to build a new Waterfront Park dock.

“Taking a lump sum now — particularly in light of how city capital spending has dwindled the past few years — to complete a project that will be popular among residents and visitors is the most prudent approach, and the best option for Eagle Harbor’s future,” the board wrote in a Sunday editorial.

The City Council is set to choose between the dock proposal and a boat haul-out facility proposal at Wednesday evening’s meeting.

For more on the issue, head over HERE.

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A wooden boat school on Eagle Harbor?

Poster in support of the city keeping a portion of the WSF maintenance yard property. Photo: Tristan Baurick

The Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building is one of two parties that have expressed interest in leasing a portion of Eagle Harbor waterfront from the city.

Washington State Ferries would hand over a nearly one-acre portion of its maintenance facility to Bainbridge, which would lease it to a firm for a boat haul-out facility or other marine use. Seaview Boatyards and the Port Hadlock-based wooden boat school sent letters of interest this month.

The city is also pondering a $2 million offer from WSF to abandon its claims on the property. The money would be restricted to water-dependent uses. None of it could be used to bolster the city’s general fund. One spending option is to build a city-run marina on Eagle Harbor.

Last night, Mayor Bob Scales led a community discussion about the $2 million offer.

Tonight, Councilwoman Debbi Lester is scheduled to lead a discussion on taking the land rather than the money. The discussion begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

For more, read today’s story by Ed Friedrich.

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WSF reiterates boat haul-out offer

Washington State Ferries chief David Mosely again expressed his willingness to hand over a portion of the ferry maintenance yard for use as a public boat yard.

The idea of using a portion of the yard for a boat haul-out facility has been debated for decades.

Mosely, who spoke at the Bainbridge Commons on Tuesday night, had said last year that WSF and islanders need to have a “community conversation” before the .9-acre parcel is transferred.

“There are people with Washington State Ferries that prefer that (public use) not occur,” Moseley said. “I’ve made the commitment that if you can demonstrate a use for the facility, I’ll honor that commitment.”

Read more HERE.

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