A year after buying a piece of property for added parking at its boat launch, the Port of Manchester is almost ready to start construction on 8 additional truck-and-trailer spaces and 10 more standard parking spaces.
Parking was identified as a top priority in a 2008 survey of boat launch users.
The public can weigh in on the proposed parking project at 10 a.m. Thursday before the Kitsap County Hearing Examiner. The hearing will be at the county administration building, 619 Division Ave. The port must receive approval for a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit and a Conditional Use Permit in order for the project to move forward.
The price of the property, at 8175 East Daniel’s Loop, and estimated cost of construction totals $650,000. A state recreational grant covered 75 percent of the cost. The port must match the grant with 25 percent of the total. Port Administrator Alan Fletcher said the port is on schedule with payments on the project from the general fund. The port can also count volunteer labor and in-kind donations toward its match.
To increase revenue, the port will enact a fee schedule for its boat launch. Throughout the port’s history, it has not charged launching fees. Starting April 1, the cost will be $5 per day to launch a boat of any size. Annual passes at $50 are available to residents within port boundaries. The annual charge for people outside the boundaries in $100.
Addendum:
The port last year considered and rejected a
levy lid lift and
an industrial development district as means to increase
revenue.
