Port gets grant to explore uses for former pontoon construction site

The Port of Grays Harbor has been awarded a $50,000 planning grant to explore uses for the 55-acre former state Department of Transportation 520 floating bridge pontoon construction site at Terminal 4.

The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) awarded the Port the grant Thursday. The grant will be matched by $20,000 in Port funds, according to a Port statement.

The Port acquired the 55-acre site at auction at the end of 2018. The rail-served waterfront site is adjacent to the Port’s marine terminal complex and the Port’s largest terminal with two berths.The Port’s Terminal 4 expansion plan is to use the site for economic development. The final product will provide phased development alternatives with permitting matrices and infrastructure costs associated with each phase so the site can be developed and used as demand for space increases.

“We thank CERB for again choosing to partner with the Port of Grays Harbor to foster economic opportunities for our community,” said Port of Grays Harbor Commission President Stan Pinnick. “Marine shipping through Grays Harbor has grown over the past 10 years bringing new companies and steady jobs to our community. We look forward to applying our business model of utilizing our public infrastructure to attract private investment to create jobs and opportunities for Grays Harbor to this site. Completing the East Terminal 4 Cargo Yard Plan is a critical step in putting this site back into economic use for the community.”