Port of Olympia staff proposes spending $5,512,000 for the Port’s capital investment plan in 2024.
Port staff presented the draft spending plan to the Port of Olympia Commission during a Monday, October 2 meeting.
The proposed plan has 24 line items, including new and continuing projects, and is broken down into four categories: airport, marine terminal, marina and boat works, and non-ops or admin.
New spending for the airport includes the replacement of a pilot-controlled airfield lighting system, the installation of an unleaded aviation gas tank, and design work for the rehabilitation of runway 17/35. Around $2.2 million of the investment plan is allocated for the airport.
The proposed budget for the marine terminal includes continued spending for the repair of Berth 1, the repaving of asphalt, and the replacement of a maintenance facility. New projects include a fuel containment facility and a gate replacement. The proposed spending for the marine terminal is $590,000.
At the marina and boatyard, new spending worth $483,000 includes replacing the filtration media in the storm pond, a new tractor attachment, and an asphalt sealer.
Under non-ops and admin spending, the Port is set to invest in replacing asphalt at Marine Drive and upgrading its cybersecurity infrastructure and other IT needs. The proposed spending for this category is around $2.3 million.
Out of the $5.5 million proposed capital budget, $3,059,100 would be funded through state appropriations and grant funds, while the Port would cover the remainder.
The biggest external funding sources are a $1.3 million state appropriation through the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board and another $1.3 million grant from the Federal Aviation Authority.
Other funding sources include a $365,000 Port security grant, an $80,000 Clean Energy Fund grant, and an $80,000 grant from the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration Port Infrastructure Development Program.
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DavidAlbert
I would love to see a plan to wind down the Port and the Airport over the next five years, and funds reallocated to environmental cleanup.
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 Report this
johnvaneenwyk
absolutely! thanks, david.
Wednesday, October 4, 2023 Report this
Yeti1981
Shutting down the Port would be such a catastrophic mistake. Just based on emergency management alone. This region has such a limited capability for access to needed resources in the event of a major emergency (if and when it happens).
Wednesday, October 4, 2023 Report this
JanWitt
I also agree with David. A major concern is that Federal Grant money for airport projects come with strings attached (20 year obligations) that seriously diminish local control of the airport. Port Commissioners should do what officials in other airport communities have done in order to gain back local control -- STOP accepting Federal funding for airport development and expansion projects.
Regarding the budget item for a new unleaded fuel tank and truck: A wise alternative would be serious planning to stop sale of leaded fuel (as other airports have done to protect public health) - then use the tank currently being used for leaded fuel for unleaded.
Re Yeti's comment - were the Port to be shut down (dissolved under provisions of State law) essential services could still be provided. Those services would just be provided by facilities run by other local agencies. (Many airports, for instance, are City or County run.)
Wednesday, October 4, 2023 Report this
JanWitt
Also - regarding the budget item for "Marine Drive Asphalt (Heavy to MT gate)" - - why are not companies that subject Marine Drive to heavy use and degradation (primarily Weyerhaeuser) not contributing to funding for this ??
Wednesday, October 4, 2023 Report this