The guest commentary by Desmond Skubi in the April 29 Herald really concerned me. As a past member of the Everett Parks Board, and current commission president of the Port of Everett, I am very aware of the importance that public access to the waterfront has for the community.
For this reason, the Port Commission created a 2 percent for public access policy in 1988 to ensure that any development undertaken within the shoreline would, in turn, generate some additional recreational opportunities for the community. To my knowledge, we are the only agency in the state that has such a policy.
As of 2005, the Port Commission has invested more than $2.24 million in connection with this policy, which exceeded the 2 percent limit by about $664,000. We have also invested an additional $6.06 million through 2005 in public access projects not tied to a shoreline project. We expect this number to be significantly higher during the next public access report.
Many people don’t know that the port has either fully or partially funded a significant number of waterfront enhancement projects in Everett. The list includes: Jetty Island, the marina, Port Gardner Landing, the 10th Street Boat Launch and fishing pier, Pigeon Creek Trail and View Point, view scopes at waterfront parks, the Union Slough walking trail and more! Within the next few years the port will also be adding 18 acres of waterfront access at the Port Gardner Wharf project and a new marina, redeveloping the 10th Street Marine Park, enhancing Pigeon Creek Trail and working toward funding a study that looks at an over/under crossing to connect Pigeon Creek Trail to Forest Park.
Recently, the port also signed up to be a funding partner with the City of Everett in a study that looks at a pedestrian bridge from Grand Avenue to Port Gardner Wharf.
As for the comments regarding public access improvements in connection with the marine terminals master plan, the port has already been looking at the improvements cited by Desmond Skubi. In fact, the improvements he listed were generated by the port from a focus group meeting last year.
Some other points of clarification:
* A successful terminal operation means more money for public access for the greater Everett and Mukilteo communities.
* The port’s marine terminals master plan does not conflict with the newly adopted Downtown Plan. Our deep-water terminals were not included in the area of study.
* This community was built around its industrial roots and international trade hub, and I strongly believe that the Port of Everett has done everything within its means to effectively balance the industrial uses and the recreational ones.
* The port is not taking away public access. This port was created by port district residents in 1918. We are going on 90 years old, and this area as always been an area of industry. In fact, over the years, we have actually added a significant amount of public access to the waterfront.
* After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the port was required, as was every other international trading port, to secure its facilities for the safety of the nation and its port communities.
* As for touching Port Gardner Bay, when the port was going through the federal mandates to close its port to the public, the Port Commission made the decision to install a new fence at the terminals to ensure the public maintained its access to Pigeon Creek Beach.
* The port’s shipping terminals provide high-paying jobs with exceptional benefits to young people who may not have had the resources or inclination to attend college. These young men and women will have the opportunity and ability to buy homes, raise families and contribute to the community. Try doing that with a Wal-Mart job.
So before columns or letters are sent to the editor, I would encourage Desmond, and any other member of the community, to come to our meetings and learn more about the truly great asset that the port’s marine terminals provide our community.
Don Hopkins is president of the Everett Port Commission and a former member of the Everett Parks Board.
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