The Port of Vancouver USA in mid-May said that it’s set receive $3.5 million from the Washington State Legislature to remove the port’s 100-year-old Terminal 1 dock.
The state’s final 2023 capital budget included funding for the Port of Vancouver USA’s next phase of its Terminal 1 redevelopment project, signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee on May 16. The port plans to demolish and rebuild the dock that once supported a hotel and restaurant.
The removal phase is scheduled to begin fall 2023. During the process, 880 old wood pilings are expected to be removed. The process of removing creosote-treated pilings and the deck will be completed by early 2024, and then about 160 new steel and concrete pilings would be installed to create a more fish-friendly and environmentally safe structure.
Once replaced, the Terminal 1 dock is expected to be home to a public market.
“Our state legislators have truly been champions for the Port of Vancouver USA as we work to remake Terminal 1 into a premier destination on the Columbia River,” port CEO Julianna Marler said. “We’re particularly grateful to our lead legislative champions, Sen. Annette Cleveland and Rep. Kevin Waters, for sharing in the vision and securing state funding to compliment the port’s investment in this critical next phase of revitalizing Terminal 1.”
In a statement, Cleveland said she was “pleased to be an advocate in Olympia for the Port of Vancouver and its effort to transform Terminal 1 into an inviting location for our community, visitors and a hub for economic activity.”
“We already know for certain that thousands of new jobs are coming to Terminal 1 in the near future; we’ve seen the opening of the beautiful Vancouver Landing public access area,” the statement continued. “The port has proven to be a capable and visionary partner in transforming the waterfront, and I’m excited to help it make significant environmental improvements to its iconic Terminal 1 dock that will ultimately result in more opportunities for small businesses and the region’s economy as a whole.”
“Terminal 1 is such a special asset for this region,” Waters added. “By removing outdated infrastructure and making way for a safe new dock and marketplace, the Port of Vancouver is improving this public asset on the river’s edge for the benefit of our entire community.”