Marina's makeover will be on display for all to see

Just in time for a television crew’s unrelated visit to the Port Orchard waterfront this morning, the Port of Bremerton and Kitsap Transit completed their lengthy joint effort to makeover the marina.

New sidewalks, light poles and flowers now line most of the waterfront from the east end of the marina, which is owned by the port, to the previously revamped foot ferry terminal and walkway owned by Kitsap Transit.

According to officials from both agencies, the project was a partnership from the beginning.

“Crews from Kitsap Transit demolished the existing asphalt walkway and removed the old railings and wood light fixtures, (while) crews from the Port of Bremerton constructed a new concrete sidewalk and railings and installed new lighted bollards and light poles,” a port press release states.

To celebrate the completion of the project that began two years ago, officials from both agencies gathered Friday morning to “cut the ribbon” on the sidewalk, including Kitsap Transit executive director Dick Hayes and port commissioners Mary Ann Huntington, Bill Mahan and Cheryl Kincer.

Port Orchard Mayor Kim Abel also attended, thanking the agencies for improving the marina, and, by extension, the city itself.

Port Orchard Marina facilities director Steve Slaton described the project as a true, “50-50 partnership,” with the costs and labor shared equally.

In a fortunate coincidence, the current improvements were not only finished in time for this Saturday’s Seagull-Calling Contest, but also to welcome a filming crew from King 5’s Evening Magazine, which is expected to fly in this morning and prepare a feature on the unique contest to be aired this week.

Slaton said the port would like to make the same upgrades along the entire stretch of walkways leading to the marina park and gazebo, and to complete that it will need to partner with the City of Port Orchard.

Additional upgrades are planned for this year, which include:

-- Installing a fourth security camera to keep watch on the new Marina Park, which includes the children’s playground added last year. The three cameras already installed watch the guest moorage, the fuel dock and the marina’s entrances.

-- Expanding the covered area at the marina park, which was requested by groups using the gazebo. To accommodate larger groups, port staff will in stall “retractable awnings to expand the covered area when needed,” offering performing groups and audiences more protection.

-- Installing a new navigation warning light at the north-east corner of the marina’s floating breakwater.

-- Adding a new entrance to the marina at the east end near the park, which will include a set of stairs from Bay Street and a covered picnic area.

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