Port 2 proceeds with Svensen Park project

Commissioners of Port District No. 2 of Wahkiakum County plan construction of Svensen Park this year.

After 30 minutes of discussion of engineering issues, Commissioners Kyle Gribskov and Kayrene Gilbertsen--Commissioner Carlton Appelo was absent--on Tuesday authorized hiring of an engineer to prepare bid documents and construction plans for the park.

The district has long had preliminary plans ready for the project. Permitting was completed last year, and the district has taken out a loan to use as a match for a state funding grant to construct the project on West Sunny Sands Road.

"This is exciting," Manager Steve McClain said. "I think that by this time next year, people will be able to launch boats there."

McClain reported he had discussed next steps with PND Engineers, Inc., the consulting engineers on the project. Gribskov asked McClain a series of questions to determine how the firm's estimated $36,000 fee would be spent.

McClain replied that the firm will complete detailed construction plans, prepare a call for bids and assist during the construction program.

The firm, he added, had identified some cost saving design changes involving parking lot design that could take the estimated project cost from $600,000 to $426,000.

Attorney Tim Hanigan added that the district needed to go to bid with PND or start over with another engineer.

"I think we should go ahead and work out a contract with them," Gribskov said.

McClain said the firm has furnished a proposed project schedule. If given a notice to proceed by early April, the firm would prepare plans, contracts and other documents in time to call for bids in April. A construction contract would be awarded May 1, and the contractor would likely get started in June on the upland portion of the project.

Because federal agencies allow construction in Columbia River waters November through February, the ramp, pilings and floats wouldn't be installed till then, but the project should be complete about December 1, PND said.

In other business, McClain said there had been some interest from the public in response to classified ads for candidates to replace Gribskov, who didn't run for re-election. He will continue to serve until the board appoints a replacement.

The group agreed to conduct a larger advertising effort and also contact community groups to seek candidates for the position, which represents the Skamokawa valleys and part of the Grays River Valley.