Commissioners for Port of Coupeville are moving forward with plans to repair the public beach access near the port office building.
The access was closed earlier this year due to safety concerns and an investigation into repair costs exposed the need to also repair the port office building foundation and bulkhead.
Commissioner Marshal Bronson said the issue was becoming “fearsome” as he watches people push aside the danger sign blocking the access and still use the unsafe stairwell.
“It’s really essential for us to provide that access and support our building,” he said.
An initial engineering estimate projected the cost to be $17,500. Commissioners last month asked Executive Director Tim McDonald to seek additional engineering bids.
Four bids were received ranging in cost from the $17,500 to just under $4,000.
McDonald said some of the bids include permit costs and vary on how to deal with the issue.
The most expensive bid aimed to secured the foundation for another 50-100 years.
“My personal opinion, I don’t think we need a foundation for 50-100 years,” Bronson said. “The building won’t last.”
“We’ll have a bottom and no top.”
Commissioner Bill Larsen said they’re looking for access safety and stability.
All three commissioners agreed to go with the lowest bid, presented by X-Sound Engineering out of Freeland, for $3,960.
X-Sound has worked in Island County for 13 years and said they have a two week response once they are hired. After that, they said they usually complete a project within two from the start date.
The scope of work includes engineering costs for the project and does not include applications fees or any specialty fees that may arise including archeological, biological or geotechnical.
Port officials are unsure what the total cost of the project will be.
The Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association has offered to help with some financial assistance and another group has expressed interest in starting a fundraising campaign to help.
The port does have $335,000 in an undesignated fund, which it acquired from selling the commercial developments rights to some property at Greenbank Farm.
