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San Juan County seeks state help to rebuild Orcas Landing marine facility; staff frames $4M need
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Summary
Public Works presented a request to the Legislature to rebuild the Orcas Landing pier and float, estimating $4 million for full reconstruction and suggesting an initial design/permitting ask of about $1 million; council asked staff to prepare concise talking points and images for legislators to address concerns about charging fees and to show the dock's role as an essential public transportation hub.
San Juan County Public Works on Feb. 3 presented a capital request to the state seeking funds to reconstruct the Orcas Landing marine facility, including the pier and floating dock. Colin Hunter said the county bought the property in 2008 and that the marine components are nearing the end of their service life; staff identified a full replacement estimate of about $4,000,000.
Hunter said the project would entail master planning, design and permitting and noted the county had recently submitted an application to the Legislature and identified local sponsors in LD 40. Staff proposed an initial ask in the range of $1,000,000 to fund early design and permitting work to get the project to shovel‑ready status. Hunter emphasized that the site serves as a public dock used by a wide set of partners — the Coast Guard, sheriff, spill‑response vessels and general public users — and that Washington State Ferries occupies upland terminal space under lease but does not use the county’s floating dock in a distinct commercial sense.
Several council members asked for succinct talking points and photos to help make the case to legislators in Olympia, noting that LD 40 representatives had raised questions about whether the county should be charging fees for dock use. Councilor Paulson said charging for access would be impractical and would undermine the facility’s role as a transportation hub; staff agreed to provide a short packet that explains the public, emergency and service uses that depend on the facility and a breakdown of an early permitting/design ask versus full construction costs.
Jessica Hudson said even if the full construction funding is unlikely this year, submitting a capital ask helps build familiarity and a case for future appropriations. Staff will circulate the capital‑ask paperwork and prepare talking points and images for council members traveling to Olympia.
