If plans move forward and a new Mukilteo Ferry Terminal is built, Whidbey Island commuters heading to Seattle will be able to step onto the ferry in Clinton and never touch the ground during their trip to work.
They’ll walk off the ferry’s upper deck on a raised bridge that will take them directly to a Sound Transit commuter rail station, where they’ll hop on a Sounder train that will take them straight to downtown Seattle.
It’s all part of a new look for the long-planned Mukilteo Ferry Terminal remodel. Changes in the plan have pushed the bill up to $152 million, but ferry officials are excited about the changes because it has allowed them to get the support of the cities of Mukilteo and Everett, and the Port of Everett.
They’ll take the revised plan -still about $15 million short of being completely funded – to the public with two meetings this week. Construction is on schedule to start in 2008 and finish in 2010.
“This is an exciting project,” said Russ East, director of terminal engineering for the state ferry system. “This first meeting is an opportunity for the public to get engaged on something that has been going on for a number of years.”
The project is mostly funded by a 5-cent increase in the gas tax approved in 2003. Federal transit grants also are helping. State officials expect to be able to line up the last $15 million before construction starts.
Key among a series of revisions made gradually over the summer is a plan to park two boatloads of cars on a pier, which means the state will need to take far less of the Mukilteo waterfront for its new ferry terminal than originally planned.
The city of Mukilteo has long had big plans for 22 acres on its waterfront that will soon be turned over from the federal government to the Port of Everett. The land was once used to as a fueling station for ships and called the old tank farm.
Now that it has been cleaned up and is ready to be transferred from federal ownership, there has been a squabble over what to do with the land.
“Since the early ’90s, the state has planned on being able to park 300 to 350 vehicles on the waterfront,” said Mukilteo Mayor Don Doran. “We have resisted that. We didn’t want to turn our waterfront we were working so hard to get into a parking lot.”
Now, with a pier at an extra $20 million, the new ferry terminal’s footprint will shrink to 4 acres from 9 acres, freeing up 5 acres for the city and Port of Everett to develop a promenade with retail outlets, condos, beach access or other options.
Doran said the city would like to finally capture some of the retail benefits of having 4.2 million people go through town. A pier parking lot will mean passengers waiting for a second boat will know they have about 40 minutes to get out of their car and shop.
“This is one of the last single great opportunities to attract and provide retail opportunities in Mukilteo,” Doran said, pointing out that 94 percent of the city’s land is built out.
Sound Transit is also building a commuter rail stop in Mukilteo, a station that will include a pedestrian bridge over the tracks that will tie into the raised bridge connecting directly to the ferry dock.
Based on public feedback, the current proposal could be dropped or changed, said Celia Schorr, a ferry system spokeswoman.
Reporter Lukas Velush: 425-339-3449 or lvelush@heraldnet.com.
Mukilteo ferry terminal meeting
Want to weigh in on Washington State Ferries’ proposal for the new Mukilteo Ferry Terminal?
Two public meetings will be held this week. The first is 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Mukilteo Water District Administration building, 7824 Mukilteo Speedway in Mukilteo. The second is 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Clinton Progressive Hall, 6411 Central Ave., in Clinton.
For more information visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/ projects/mukilteoterminal.
Mukilteo ferry terminal meeting
Want to weigh in on Washington State Ferries’ proposal for the new Mukilteo Ferry Terminal?
Two public meetings will be held this week. The first is 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Mukilteo Water District Administration building, 7824 Mukilteo Speedway in Mukilteo. The second is 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Clinton Progressive Hall, 6411 Central Ave., in Clinton.
For more information visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/mukilteoterminal.
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