Exit133 Forum / Waterway Park Ramp and Float

evergreenrowing · 2009-08-14 15:57:13

I trust many have noticed that the new ramp and float for human-powered boats has been installed at Waterway Park on the Foss. Though there's a gate at the head of the ramp, it's unlocked. I've seen kayakers launching from the new float (in spite of the gross goose poops). But I've not seen any announcement that the float is open for public use. I've written and phoned the project manager at the City to ask if the float is now open and, if not, what's the timeline. But he has not responded to either. I wrote FWDA and was told that "it's a City project, so ask them." Does anyone know the status and plan for this wonderful new asset? Will there be a ribbon cutting? Anything associated with the Maritime Fest?

Have you used the float? What do you think?

When will the crews begin maintaining the float (especially cleaning it)?

evergreenrowing · 2009-08-26 15:00:15

On the 20th I was doorbelled by Mayoral candidate Marilyn Strickland. She asked me what was on my mind, so I asked her about the status of Waterway Park. She offered to follow up for me with City staff, so I wrote her with these questions:
"Is the ramp and float now open for public use? The gate is unlocked and there is no signage, so it seems open and available.

Will there be a ribbon cutting? Will the City want human-powered boaters there to add color and action to any ceremony? If so, may we have lead time?

Will this facility be available for activities during the Maritime Fest?

Will the height of the float be lowered so that it can be safely used by rowers?

Thanks again for this wonderful addition to public access to Commencement Bay!
sincerely,
Steve Wells"

Ms. Strickland then passed my questions to a staff person who promisd to follow up. Last night I got this progress report:

"Mr. Wells,

I wanted to check in with you, as I said I would by this date, to let you know where we are on the questions that you asked. Staff is still working on answers to your questions. I realize some of your questions apply to Maritime Fest, which is fast approaching. I hope to have answers for you soon. I will contact you again this week with another follow up on where we are in answering your questions.

Thanks,

Shane

Shane Pettit
Management Fellow
City Manager's Office"

I'll let you know when I hear more! Meanwhile, is anyone using the float? What do you think of it?

evergreenrowing · 2009-08-30 22:36:04

Mr. Wells,

I still do not have “official" answers to all of your questions. One of the main staff members who would have answered these questions has been out of the office. Other staff have been attempting to work on the items. In talking to members of the construction division, it appears unlikely that a ribbon cutting will take place.

I apologize that I was not able to get you a full response prior to Maritime Fest. I will continue to look into the other questions and report back to you when I have the answers.

Enjoy the weekend and Maritime Fest!

Shane

Shane Pettit
Management Fellow
City Manager's Office

Last edited by evergreenrowing (2009-08-30 22:37:27)

evergreenrowing · 2009-09-02 18:24:49

Mr. Wells,

I have responses to your questions about the float installed on the Foss. The float is not open for public use as of yet. There are some inspection and documentation items that must take place prior to being opened to the public. The City of Tacoma will turn control over the float to the Foss Waterway Development Authority (FWDA) once it opens. I have communicated with Su Dowie of the FWDA, who said that when the FWDA gets control it will be lowering a portion of the float to get it to the correct height for shells and sculls at 5

graefjon · 2009-09-18 23:20:25

Steve,

Thanks for keeping the public up to date on the progress and issues concerning the Foss Waterway Park float. I look forward to seeing this site being used by the human powered boat community. It is great to see this project come to fruition.

Jon Graef
Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Commission

graefjon · 2009-09-18 23:21:07

Steve,

Thanks for keeping the public up to date on the progress and issues concerning the Foss Waterway Park float. I look forward to seeing this site being used by the human powered boat community. It is great to see this project come to fruition.

Jon Graef
Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Commission

evergreenrowing · 2009-09-21 19:22:22

OK, I admit I'm eager to provoke some discussion AND to support movement towards getting this wonderful float in full use asap. So.... I ask if there is any truth to the report that part of the delay in City signoff on the float project is the insistence by some that the goose poop cannot be washed off the float without treatment of the wash water before it reenters the Waterway? Can you verify this? If it is a valid concern by those who ensure our waters are clean(er), can those folks explain to me how this is a reasonable or effective step? Gee I hope this is a false report and we're putting our energies into building a community of active boaters who'll be the first to insist the Waterway is clean.

What then is the delay in transferring the float to the FWDA? Are there ongoing issues of concern or is this just not a priority.

evergreenrowing · 2009-10-08 14:25:41

Progress to report!!!

"Dear All,
Our Board has an agreement before them at the October 14th public Board
meeting to accept the management of the float. That will officially put
it in our hands. Yes, you can use the float. It has not been lowered
but we will be contracting for that as soon as all the signatures are on
the agreement.

Thanks,
Su Dowie
Foss Waterway Development Authority
535 Dock Street, Suite 204
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 597-8122"

evergreenrowing · 2009-10-12 21:28:26

Friday afternoon Todd Silver, Andy Michels (outrigger paddler) and I met with Su Dowie at the FWDA office at her request. She has $30,000 from Pierce County Conservation Futures to fund a study "to determine the feasibility of converting the existing Berg Scaffolding Building into a boat house for public use and determine if there are any materials that can be preserved or adaptively reused." The funds must be spent by the end of 2009. Su expects to contract with AHBL for a report whose scope includes structural engineering, code compliance, permitting issues, presence of hazardous materials, retention of materials for adaptive reuse and definition of cost parameters. Su asked for the name of the architect we used two years ago for our Easy Button proposal, and I have sent her Gretchen's contact info. The FWDA Board will consider this action at their meeting later this week.

Su reminded us that the Berg Building cannot be occupied as a boat house until the entire park property has been remediated according to the consent decree.

evergreenrowing · 2009-11-18 18:41:04

Divers have been at work since Monday to reconfigure the flotation under the new float so that it will be at a height from which boats can be safely launched. With their OK, I tested the new float height this morning, and I can report that they are on the path to success. They are about half way through the replacement of flotation, and the western edge is definitely useable. Assuming the rest of the work results in the entire float being at the height of the western edge (which the divers assure me will be the case), we're off and running! In fact, with time and the accumulation of mussels and algae weighing it down, the float will be even better.

I say use it, enjoy it, give thanks to FWDA and the City, and post some fun expedition reports here!

evergreenrowing · 2010-01-11 22:44:10

OK! We have a great new launch at Waterway Park. So, to where do you paddle from there? Many of us just go out and back and count it as a great workout on relatively protected waters (even along the Ruston shoreline, we're protected from southerly winds by the bluffs). But how about a destination? How about the new bond funds for the repair of the Old Town Dock? The new float should be built low enough that Old Town becomes a destination. It's about 2 miles from Waterway Park. Imagine hauling out, leaving your boat in a public rack, walking uphill to The Spar or to a local coffee house, and then walking back downhill for the trip home. No reason the new float can't accommodate human-powered boaters as well as the yacht drivers!

A second benefit... Old Town becomes a node on the Cascadia Marine Trail.

Let the engineers and designers at the City know if you think this is a good idea.

evergreenrowing · 2010-01-13 18:55:23

Across the water from Waterway Park and just below the Glass Museum is the Dock Street Marina. They have installed secure racks for storing kayaks and canoes as well as a small launching float. You can rent these racks under a 6 month contract, and the contract includes use of their shower and changing facilities. No longer is there anything limiting your getting an on-water workout before work, during lunch, or after work. Contact Craig Perry:

Craig Perry
General Manager
Delin Docks/Dock Street Marina
Foss Landing Marina and Boat Storage
W-253-572-2524/C-206-391-6431

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#1 2009-08-14 15:57:13

Waterway Park Ramp and Float

#2 2009-08-26 15:00:15

Re: Waterway Park Ramp and Float

#3 2009-08-30 22:36:04

Re: Waterway Park Ramp and Float

#4 2009-09-02 18:24:49

Re: Waterway Park Ramp and Float

#5 2009-09-18 23:20:25

Re: Waterway Park Ramp and Float

#6 2009-09-18 23:21:07

Re: Waterway Park Ramp and Float

#7 2009-09-21 19:22:22

Re: Waterway Park Ramp and Float

#8 2009-10-08 14:25:41

Re: Waterway Park Ramp and Float

#9 2009-10-12 21:28:26

Re: Waterway Park Ramp and Float

#10 2009-11-18 18:41:04

Re: Waterway Park Ramp and Float

#11 2010-01-11 22:44:10

Re: Waterway Park Ramp and Float

#12 2010-01-13 18:55:23

Re: Waterway Park Ramp and Float

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