2018's top stories: Port approaches 25-year Boyer upgrade

Port of Whitman County commissioners signed a 25-year lease last January with the Army Corps of Engineers for Boyer Park and Marina. The lease was required before the port could receive a $198,000 grant from Washington State Recreation & Conservation Office to plan and design new docks, pilings and utility systems at the marina. The Port added $77,000 of its funds to boost the design sum to $275,000.

In April the port sent out a request seeking an engineering consultant to redesign the Marina based on a cost/benefit model. The re-design of the docks is expected to better facilitate more and larger boats.

In September the port conducted an open house at the Colfax Library to hear public suggestions for the Marina.

Port commissioners received a report in November by the consultant team from Mott McDonald based on their study of the Marina's needs, operations and public input.

Deadline for the design completion is Oct. 31, 2019.

After the design work, the port can apply for a grant to replace or refurbish the docks. The port is now preparing for a larger RCO grant for the construction. The state normally approves construction project proposals that evolve from planning grants. The port is expecting this to put the marina in line for another $1 million grant for actual construction of new docks.