Ferry Tales XXXXVIII: The Terminal Tab

When the notices for the construction of the new Guemes Island Ferry Terminal were posted many read with disbelief. How could Skagit County even consider a new terminal when the existing terminal is adequate? "Why Now", Dr. Tim Wittman asked in his letter sent to the Skagit Valley Herald , during these difficult economic times. 
  
A new ferry terminal will also reduce parking spaces significantly. With fuel costs skyrocketing and summer surcharges going into effect, how does the BOCC expect to encourage "walk-ons" when parking is scarce. During ferry outages 6th street residents are plagued with cars coming and going until 10 pm because of the extended hours of operation {which is unnecessary, unwanted by the majority of islanders, and a fuel guzzler}.

Tim Rosenhan's comments hit the mark. See if you agree.

You can tell a lot about the County's priorities by reading the architectural language of the new ferry terminal building. First, the waiting room is no larger in size than the existing one, but with fewer amenities. The new area of the building is largely devoted to the crew and crew functions, a five-fold expansion. The crew gets the upper level with a break room equal to the passenger waiting area, but with a view and kitchenette. The crew gets new offices, a locker room, shower, training room, and the mechanic gets half the lower floor for a shop and parts room. The building is long and high and will be sited on the west of the dock, thus blocking sea views for those in line.

The waiting room plan shows no seating, bulletin board, or vending machines--just a room. Benches will be difficult to place because of the floor-to-ceiling glazing on three sides of the room and a hallway and ticket counter on the fourth side. The room has two outside doors, further chopping up the wall space opportunities for seating. The only furnishing "call-out" on the drawing is for a floor drain. The room might just as well as been designed for beef cattle. Pack 'em in, hose 'em down. By contrast the shop has several informative call-outs for specific tool and work locations, "grinder by owner, welder by owner, computer desk by owner, etc.," notations made with a concern for the crew and the obvious input of the mechanic who will work in the space.

The project had no formal announcement - it was discovered like a spouse finding a bar tab and a strange blonde hair on her husband's dresser.

It is obvious to me that in designing this building the County had conspicuous disdain for the very people they are hired to serve--the ferry users. The County has articulated no discernable need for this project. The existing terminal facility has sufficed for the crew and riders for 29 years, with ferry traffic actually decreasing in recent years. At no time did the County seek the input of the riders, hold a public hearing, take comments on the design goals for the building, take open criticisms of the plans, or even consider the priority of this project compared to other pressing project needs, like piling replacement, parking lot paving, or even general County flood control. Nor did the County consider the option of just not spending the funds, given the million-dollar annual ferry losses.

And, of course, the County sought no outside capital funding for the terminal project and will pay for it out of tax receipts. The project had no formal announcement--it was discovered like a spouse finding a bar tab and a strange blonde hair on her husband's dresser.

Whatcom County Council voted against a new ferry, citing increased operating costs, increased fuel costs, and increased fares. Whatcom County council members seem to heed the needs of the people they represent. Skagit County BOCC doesn't seem to have a clue.

Commentary by MJ Andrak, [5.2.8]

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