Serving Whitman County since 1877
Boyer Park and Marina is set to reopen this spring with the signing of a new 20-year lease with the Army Corp of Engineers. With approval in place, the Port of Whitman was situated to received a $198,000 planning grant to rebuild the docks. By Jana Mathia
Port of Whitman commissioners have signed a new 20-year lease with the Army Corps of Engineers for Boyer Park and Marina and have received a $198,000 planning grant for rebuilding the docks at the marina.
The planning process is expected to put the marina in line for another $1.5 million grant for actual construction of new docks.
A new lease at Boyer was required before the port could reel in the planning grant.
The port was in the line-up to receive the planning grant for the replacement of the Boyer Park dock from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, but it was required to have control of the property.
“You have to have control of it for 20 years,” Joe Poire, port executive director explained.
The port board objected to some terms of the new lease, and the corps made some of the changes.
Despite not being entirely pleased with the terms of the lease, the commissioners approved it Jan. 17.
With approval to accept the lease in place, the port was keyed up to receive the planning grant after the state capital budget was approved. The state RCO announced the award Jan. 31.
“It’s a big relief,” Poire commented.
The grant will be used to plan and design new docks, pilings and utility system at the marina, including all designs and permitting to replace the old docks.
“They’re end of life,” Poire said on the 35-year-old docks.
The re-design of the docks is expected to better facilitate more and larger boats.
The Port will add $77,000 of its funds to boost the design sum to $275,000.
The port is now “on the conveyor belt” for a larger RCO grant for the construction. Poire said the state normally approves construction project proposals that evolve from the planning grants.
After the planning is complete, the port can follow up for a grant application up to $1.5 million for the rebuild.
“The docks are starting to lose flotation, the concrete surfaces are deteriorating and pilings are starting to loosen. Replacement of these docks not only will address safety and condition issues but will be more attractive to boaters, thereby encouraging more recreational boating on the Snake River,” the fund award noted.
The port began the application process in 2016. It had to fill out an application and present on the project in 2017. At earlier meetings, commissioners had expressed frustration that all the work and time would have been for nothing if they decided not to renew the Boyer lease.
The port is also now hiring a concessionaire to manage Boyer. Poire said they hope to officially hire a new concessionaire by March 1.
A re-design of the docks at Boyer is one step closer.
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