Port Commissioners Discuss Rail Rehab

DAYTON—Port Manager Jennie Dickinson said a plan to write a five to 10-page strategy request, making the case to the Washington State legislature for funding for rehabilitation of the rail lines for the Columbia/Walla Walla short line railroad, is in the works.

Chris Herman, Senior Director of Trade and Transportation for the Washington Public Ports Association, who also has background in the Rail Division at the WSDOT, is helping the port in that endeavor, said Dickinson.

“I write, Chris reviews, local meeting with agencies, and move forward with a plan to try and get some money from the legislature,” Dickinson told the commissioners.

Herman will help share the port’s message with legislators and he will also help identify grant and loan programs for the rail project, she said.

Commissioner Earle Marvin made a motion to approve a grant agreement for the second rail bank, for rail siding, in the amount of $230,000, which was seconded by Chairman Gene Warren. The motion carried.

Port officials said the 25-year lease with the Army Corps of Engineers for Lyon’s Ferry Marina will expire on Dec. 31 of this year.

The Corps has a new lease ready, but has asked that a long-term development plan for Lyons Ferry Marina be attached to it, according to Dickinson.

Dickinson told the commissioners that she has been in talks with Lyons Ferry Marina operator Jim MacArthur about some ideas he has for the marina, and with the Recreation Conversation Office, about the kinds of projects that can be funded through RCO grants.

Dickinson told the commissioners that some of the problems at the marina include a 45-year silting process at the breakwater and in the area of a couple of the docks, moorages that are too small, crib walls that are wearing out, and no electricity to current transient moorage.

There is also the need for two boat launches, a new fuel line for diesel, pull-through RV spaces, and repairs to the upland restroom and shower house, Dickinson said.

“The RCO doesn’t fund covered moorage, or permanent moorage, only transient moorage with day or 10-day use,” said Dickinson. “We need a plan to reconfigure the whole area.”

Dickinson proposed hiring a consultant to help with the creation of a master plan, and targeting the 2018 RCO funding cycle.

“It sounds kind of exciting, actually. Fun to see it in a little bit different way,” said Dickinson.

The commissioners also discussed elements in a draft of the raw-land lease for a second building at the Blue Mountain Station. The lease will be between the port and the builder, Tucannon Development LLC, Dickinson said.

Port of Columbia Economic Development Coordinator Brad McMasters said he is working with the Viticulture and Enology Program Director at WWCC, and is hoping to recruit a winemaker for the fourth space in the second building at the Blue Mountain Station.

McMasters said he has two more potential tenants for the new building, and he is working on true square-footage pricing, to help get tenants into the new building. McMasters said he continues to work with tenants at Blue Mountain Station.

“They seem to be plugging away with wholesale accounts, and preparing for winter,” said McMasters.

McMasters is also working with the “Choose Columbia County” campaign in conjunction with the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, and the regional economist, to determine retail leakage.

McMasters pointed out that Columbia County is one of the lowest counties in state per capita retail sales, but that spending in convenience stores is higher per capita in the county.

“It’s been fun to work with the Chamber on this,” McMasters said.

McMasters said he is looking forward to a Shop Local campaign kick-off in the near future.

McMasters also helped to organize recent Community Conversations through the Community Council of Walla Walla, including the Sept. 21 community conversation in Dayton.

“This is the second round. They have gathered the data and determine what people think will benefit the community. They will take the information and prioritize what’s most important, based on the data, and move forward,” McMasters said.