Post by ferryfast admin on Jan 4, 2008 17:23:32 GMT -5
Port Townsend ferry issue gains steam from Olympia; businesses enjoy boost from Seattle run
By Jeff Chew, Peninsula Daily News
www.peninsuladailynews.com/
PORT TOWNSEND - The leading Republican on the state House Transportation Committee assured Port Townsend leaders and business owners Thursday that he will work with North Olympic Peninsula Democratic lawmakers to ensure adequate ferry service out of Port Townsend.
"This is no different from what happened in Centralia or Katrina," said Rep. Doug Ericksen of Ferndale and House deputy Republic leader, referring to horrendous flooding in Washington state and Louisiana.
He likened the loss of vehicle ferry service to Port Townsend to the loss of a bridge, saying, "I do treat this thing as a natural disaster."
The state ferries system will pull the 149-passenger Snohomish passenger ferry off the temporary Seattle-Port Townsend route at the end of the service day Sunday.
The holiday route has provided round-trip ferry service between Port Townsend and Seattle since Dec. 13, after the last of the four 80-year-old Steel Electric car ferries serving the Port Townsend-Keystone route were permanently idled on Nov. 20.
State Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond declared the vessels unsafe after finding significant corrosion and pitting in the hull of the Quinault, and later, that of the Illahee.
The Klickitat, which is believed to have similar damage, sits at the Port Townsend terminal, while the Nisqually has been retired a second time.
State ferries officials on Thursday said after the Port Townsend-Seattle run ends Sunday, Puget Sound Express trips from Hudson Point Marina to Keystone Harbor will continue until Jan. 9, when the Snohomish returns from receiving maintenance.
The Snohomish then will continue operation between Port Townsend and Keystone until late January or early February, when a leased 54-car ferry from Pierce County is expected to replace it on the route.Hears an earful
Erickson, who came to Port Townsend on the temporary Puget Sound Express ferry service from Keystone Harbor, said he decided to visit the city Thursday because he had plans to meet constituents on South Whidbey Island today.
At the Port of Port Townsend conference room meeting room at Hudson Point, Ericksen heard an earful from Port Townsend leaders and business owners.
The meeting of about 15 was arranged through the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce.
"How can we get the car ferries back online?" Ericksen asked.
"On Jan. 14, the Legislature starts and so we will be hitting this very hard."
Gov. Chris Gregoire has proposed a $100 million budget to build three new 54-car ferries on a fast-track 15-month schedule to service the Port Townsend-Keystone run on a fast-track 15-month schedule.
Ericksen met with Deputy Mayor Michelle Sandoval and Councilwoman Laurie Medlicott, City Manager David Timmons, city Planning Director Rick Sepler, Jefferson Transit General Manager Dave Turissini, Port Executive Director Larry Crockett, chamber outgoing president Jennifer MacGillonie and 2008 president Kim Jons, and chamber General Manager Tim Caldwell.
Business owners in attendance were Jim Switz, partner in Ichikawa Japanese Cuisine across Water Street from the ferry terminal, Wandering Angus owner Helen Starr, Mickey Davis, owner of the Subway across from the terminal, and Kristen Nelson, owner of Sirens Pub on Water Street.
Interim ferry service and the proposal for the new car ferries will be on the legislative agenda, he said, asking the group what they wanted to see.Seattle ferry
Downtown Port Townsend merchants praised the state ferries system for putting in a Seattle run during the holiday season, but worried about the future.
"The fast-ferry that took people from Seattle has been a godsend for us," said Marilyn Staples, longtime owner of The Green Eyeshade on Water Street.
"It's very sad that the state has not been, in its wisdom, willing to continue it.
The run, which ends Sunday has been popular.
The largest number of riders since the Snohomish began the Seattle runs was on Saturday, Dec. 29, when the daily total was 919.
Even after the holidays, ridership was high. On Wednesday, the total was 679 people.
"They should have charged more," Staples said, "because it wouldn't have been such a loss."
Staples and others said passengers told them they would be willing to pay $20 or more for a round trip, which cost $6.70.Saved holidays
Downtown business owners interviewed Thursday said they wished the passenger ferry to Seattle was extended, saying it saved what could have been a dark holiday business season.
"It really helped the last two weeks, and 10 days previous to Christmas, it felt like it should," said Marlene Bennett Jones, owner of Shadows Vintage Collectibles on Water Street, inside Heartworks.
Diana Cronin, a potter and member for four years at Gallery 9 North Olympic Peninsula Artist Cooperative on Water Street, said that regardless of the ferry service, she believes gallery business was down this holiday season.
"We did see a huge influx of Seattle people," she said of the Snohomish run.
"Before the ferry came, it was really slow. We'd have maybe one sale a day."
Sirens Pub owner Nelson said she never realized just how much business came to her establishment via Whidbey Island's Keystone run, which she called "the ferry that came from nowhere."
She said she was concerned that a permanent 54-car ferry would be too small, making Port Townsend an inconvenient place to travel to.
"I am very worried about this summer, and I am truly, truly concerned about next summer," she said.
This summer, ferry service will be limited to 54 vehicles.
In spring/summer 2009, the state Department of Transportation is expected to close the Hood Canal Bridge for six weeks to replace the eastern half of it.
Ichikawa restaurant partner Switz informed Ericksen, "You're surrounded by victims today of people who are incompetent and didn't know what to do" after the ferries were pulled.
"We are really pissed off about this massive mismanagement these (state ferries) managers were allowed to do."
Ericksen agreed, saying, "At some point, we need to say that someone with the [DOT] be held accountable because someone is responsible."
He said Port Townsend leaders should maintain their focus on specifically how to secure permanent ferry service again.
"We just have to do it and get it done," he said.________
Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
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