Point Hudson Planning

See Engineering Projects Page for Recent Project Updates/Information

 

Point Hudson Jetty Project Open House:  May 13, 2022 at 11:00 a.m., Pavilion Building

The PORT OF PORT TOWNSEND is holding a project open house for contractors interested in learning more about the breakwater replacement project at Point Hudson Marina. The open house is optional and is not a mandatory pre-bid conference nor is it associated with a current bid advertisement. The breakwater improvements at the Point Hudson Marina include: 1) removal and upland disposal of the existing creosote timber pile, breakwater and bulkhead riprap, navigation aids, timber walkway, and steel piles; and 2) installation of new breakwaters and bulkhead, consisting of steel pipe pile and riprap, habitat rock pile, timber walkway (south breakwater), upland improvements, dredging, and navigation aids. The open house will be held Friday, May 13th, at 11:00 AM at the Point Hudson Pavilion located at 355 Hudson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368.  Advance registration is not required but is desired. Please RSVP to karen@portofpt.com. Questions about the open house may be directed to Port Engineer, Matt Klontz, at matt@portofpt.com. This project will be partially funded with Federal funds administered through the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board and therefore is subject to the Federal laws and regulations associated with that program.

Here are some JARPA drawings that may be of interest:

Point Hudson Master Plan

1994 Point Hudson Master Plan

Click here to go to the Port’s copy of the Joint Resolution No. 94-148 City / 152-94 Port of Port Townsend, Adopting Goals of Draft Point Hudson Master Plan
(The city also has a copy you can find it by clicking here.)

Point Hudson Jetty History and Project Overview

Point Hudson and its vicinity is an important hub of economic and community activity at the east end of Port Townsend’s Commercial Historic District.  For nearly a century, the Point Hudson Marina has been a cornerstone of Jefferson County’s maritime identity and economy – hosting a wide range of community defining events from the iconic Wooden Boat Festival to fishing derbys and yacht club rendezvous.

The existing timber and riprap Point Hudson Jetty (overlapping North and South arms) was first constructed in1934, before successive repairs in the 1969 and 1996.  It is now severely degraded, well past its anticipated design life, and deteriorating at an accelerating rate.  Extensive renovations are required in the very near term (within 3 years) in order to maintain the marina’s continued viability.  The immediate focus for rehabilitation is the South Jetty, as it provides most of the protection to the marina and bears the brunt of the damaging winds and waves that are routinely experienced during the fall and winter months.

Between 2015 and 2018, the Port engineered, permitted and proceeded to bid a steel sheet pile/pipe pile (i.e., “combi-wall”) design for the project.  In the spring of 2018, bids were returned for the project that exceeded both the engineer’s estimate of probable cost, as well as the Port’s financial capacity.  Since then, the Port Commission has heard many voices in the community express concerns over both the cost of a full replacement structure, as well as the potential loss of the visual charm of the present batter-pile and rock structure.  In response, the Port has changed its approach, and is redesigning and re-permitting the project.

A redesigned project in 2019 called for the progressive rehabilitation of the 258-foot long batter-pile and armor rock South Jetty, rather than total replacement.  The concept was for construction of a steel batter-pile and stainless-steel mesh lagging system around the existing deteriorated structure, removal of the existing creosote-treated timber piles, the existing rock allowed to settle, and the remaining void backfilled with granite quarry spalls.  Afterwards, the pile tops were to be connected with a combination of steel cable ties and bracing capable of accommodating a future pedestrian walkway.  Overall, the redesigned project attempted to retain much of the aesthetic character and performance characteristics of the original breakwater.  “Soft costs” associated with this 2019 critical project (i.e., design, engineering and permitting) were covered to a substantial extent by a Public Infrastructure Fund (PIF) grant awarded earlier that year.  It is anticipated that construction costs will be addressed through a combination of federal grant monies, Port reserve funds, and a bank loan.  The Port is also pursuing other funding partnerships.

In December of 2019 Port Staff met with a group of interested stakeholders, and discussed an alternative design (see 11/22/2019 version).  Consistent with the feedback provided, a new iteration (see 1/20/2020 version) focuses exclusively on Design Alternative #3 — the “selected alternative” which involves demolition and reconstruction of the existing jetties (both North and South), rather than total or partial encapsulation of the existing structure(s).  Conceptually, the selected alternative seeks to echo the original design from 1934 using modern materials (i.e., steel piles/granite quarry spalls).

In addition to recommending the preferred alternative, the group provided additional input that has been used to refine the concept, as follows:

  • Steel piped piles should be employed, and should be uncoated steel with sacrificial corrosion thickness (no composite piles);
  • Piles should be closely spaced (3′-5’) and battered (angled) to mimic the existing aesthetic;
  • In lieu of a stainless-steel mesh lagging system, piles should be supported with tie rod cross ties and potentially walers;
  • The design should allow for installation of a pedestrian walkway atop the South Jetty, and feature a wider viewing platform at the end; and
  • Design, engineering and permitting for the entire project should be pursued over the next year (one unified design for South and North Jetties).

During a Port Commission Public Workshop on February 12, 2020, Mott MacDonald presented and discussed the process that led to, and the substance of, the preferred alternative. (see 2/12/20 version)

During a Port Commission Meeting on June 24, 2020, June 24, 2020, Mott McDonald presented and discussed this breakwater replacement alternative, which is similar in style as existing breakwater with modern materials and walkway on south breakwater.  They went over permitting, which will include replacement of both breakwaters; final design, which will be for replacement of both breakwaters; project bid documents, which will be developed for replacement of south breakwater first; and schedule, predicting that the earliest completion of the south breakwater replacement is spring or fall of 2022.

JETTY ASSESSMENT & PRESENTATIONS

2021:
2020:
2019:
2017: 
2016: 
2014:
2013:

 

Point Hudson Building Assessment & Maintenance Program