A gala ribbon cutting drew a group of more than 50 people — including Port of Edmonds and government officials and members of the public — to officially open the port’s new administration building and celebrate completion of phase one of an ambitious three-stage program of Port upgrades.
Port Executive Director Angela Harris greeted attendees. She pointed out that the phase-one goal of moving port operations out of the old facility on the west side of Admiral Way, across the street to the new building, frees up the former headquarter site for an array of public-access enhancements coming in phases two and three.
“The new building houses port maintenance facilities and equipment storage on the first floor, and our administrative offices on the second floor,” she explained. “We also have 1,900 square feet of street-front commercial space available now for rent, so tell your friends!”
Port Commission President Jay Grant provided historical perspective, noting that the creation of the Port of Edmonds was approved by voters in 1948, and the first commissioners were sworn in the next year.
“That was 75 years ago,” he said. “Our first project was to work with the City of Edmonds to build a new ferry dock, which the port went on to manage until the state took it over in 1990. Construction of the marina began in 1962, and in 1977 we worked with the city and the state to add a public walkway and fishing pier. Today it is one of only six fishing piers on Puget Sound; it and the walkway are enjoyed by thousands of people each year. The coming improvements will ensure that the marina and portwalk remain the great assets that they are, and will be enjoyed by generations to come.”
Grant was followed by U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen.
Now in his 12th Congressional term, Larsen is the ranking Democratic member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he works to help bring needed dollars and political support to projects such as this. Most recently, he has helped funnel money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to a number of water-based projects around Puget Sound.
“Congratulations on completing this building,” Larsen began. “You can’t have a big-league economy with little league infrastructure, and this building is big league stuff. It allows for expanded administration and maintenance space and dedicated community space – all functions of a first-class port. And with solar on the roof, EV charging stations and bicycle facilities, it’s good for the environment.
“But this building is just the first step in the long-term commitment the Edmonds Port commissioners are making,” he continued. “The additional infrastructure improvements will boost resiliency, protect marine life, improve public access and drive economic growth. I will continue my efforts in Congress to help out as the port project moves forward.”
Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen then added his remarks, pointing out that Edmonds was only 60 years old when its citizens voted to create the port.
“Today we’re here to celebrate this building,” he began. “But what’s really important is not the building itself, but what will be going on inside – the port’s ongoing work to reinvent the future. Our waterfront is a big reason why many of us choose to live here. We are drawn to this place to reflect, renew, celebrate events – and the program of improvements at the port will ensure that this continues.”
Learn more about the Port of Edmonds and the upcoming changes and enhancements at the Port website here.
— Story and photos by Larry Vogel
Moving to Edmonds with my parents in 1961 and watching that original half of the Port getting built is something I will never forget. I remember my 9th. grade friend’s dad and my dad getting together and renting a slip at the brand new Port where each family moored their 15ft. boats for easy access for boating and fishing. The boats were generally much smaller then and most of the slips were smaller too. The history of this port district and the really far sighted and tenacious people that got the job done is a great one. Later on my then wife and I lived in Mukelteo when that great wet snow storm took down the original wood frame structure of the facility and it got rebuilt even better the second time around. Our marine and watershed assets are our natural crown jewels and they should each come first in the rush to encourage density and “affordable” housing in our town. If we don’t use environmental law to prioritize these things, the quality of life here will suffer for all, no matter where you live in town.
I always think of the Port of Edmonds being the heart of Edmonds. It is our crown jewel. It was not always thus. It took 17 years of effort by many resident leaders from 1945 to 1962 to get the Port District formed, the breakwater built and the South Marina constructed. My grandfather, Herman Sater along with T.P. Chittenden and Ed Scott were the commissioners who oversaw the construction of the South Marina. In the 1970’s my father, Harold Bucklin along with Gordon Maxwell and others were the Port Comissioners who directed the construction of the North Marina and Harbor Square. Many fine men and women have served the Port Commission over the years and have maintained the Jewel in the Crown of Edmonds. Thanks to all who have served and continue to serve the Port. They get little recognition and small compensation for their efforts.
How did the fish/mink food processing plant come to be located in the Port?
The Northwest Fur Breeders Co-Op was located on the waterfront well before the Port was ever built. If you Google it you will find that they started the facility up in 1947 to supply the many mink farms that were located in rural Snohomish County with a source of animal food. Mr. Bucklin can no doubt fill you in better than I can, but the push for a Federal permit for a small boat Port District was started by a group of citizens right after World War II and it took until 1961 to make it happen. Eventually the Co-Op facility got in the way of the Port expansion and it was forced out. Maybe our local historian can come up with an article with all the facts about how all this went down one of these days.