Submitted by Port of Olympia
The Port Commission approved the construction of a Marine Fueling Station at Swantown Marina at its September 12 Commission meeting. Anderson Environmental Contracting, LLC was awarded the construction contract with a bid of $2,102,539.
Since 1999, there has been no option for marine fueling services in the downtown Olympia area. In 2008, the Port received a petition signed by about 800 citizens requesting the Port to install a fueling facility at Swantown Marina. As a result, in 2011, the Port Commission directed Port staff to develop a Marine Fueling Facility Feasibility Study.
Over the past five and a half years, the Port embarked on a path to determine the feasibility of constructing a marine fueling facility. During this time frame, the Port:
- Held a total of eighteen public open houses, meetings and briefings.
- Published a Marine Fueling Station Feasibility Study.
- Conducted a Fuel Consumption Survey of local boaters.
- Developed numerous financial evaluation scenarios.
- Received permits from nine different federal, state, and local agencies.
The Port has evaluated and developed a comprehensive project that shows the facility will:
- Generate new revenue for the Port.
- Meet or exceed the Port’s financial goals
- Continue the development of the Swantown Marina into a full-service marina.
- Prove the most environmentally conscientious marine fueling facility in Puget Sound.
- Meets the needs of local and visitor boaters.
- May provide an increase in both local tourism and local tax revenue.
Construction on the new facility will begin in October. Public will notice the most activity in December 2016 and January 2017 when the facilities are installed. Construction is anticipated to be complete in February 2017, opening to the public in March 2017.
For information about the fuel dock project including presentations, reports and studies, and information on project public outreach and participation, visit the Port’s website at www.portolympia.com.
