Stevenson Waterfront Area Paving update

tonyb · Fri Jul 17, 09 12:49 pm **Stevenson Waterfront Area Paving update**

I'm a couple of days late getting this info out but here's some info in case you're wondering about what's happening with the parking areas in Stevenson.

First off, we're not losing any of the recreation designated parking spaces along the bike path side of the parking lot. We've been pretty spoiled the last couple of years but officially the spots next to the old MFG building right across from the launch area are for the building tenants and are not designated as recreation use. Having said that, one of the unofficial parking spaces that we have been using has been lost to an HVAC pad that Insitu needs for the building. It wasn't placed in the best location (long story), and we're looking at an option to gain back a little of the space by modifying the little grass island at the turn.

Anyway, here is what is happening:

The asphalt around the Tichenor Building (where Slingshot is housed) and around the big steel MFG building (now Insitu's River Point Facility), is crumbling, has some major potholes, and lots of damage from use over the years. Insitu has also removed the chain link fencing and some other equipment that has left some pretty big holes to be fixed.

The Port has received a grant from the County to have their paving crews come in and repair the entire area. As we decided you can't look a gift horse in the mouth we took them up on their offer. Unfortunately we can't control the timing for this and do it in early October after kiting season but have to take what we're given. Which is next week. Right before the blow out. But the rest of the world doesn't revolve around kiting so we have to deal with it.

The work is scheduled to be complete by the end of next week. As they got started yesterday on the prep work (2 days earlier than planned), I think they will make it. I'll know more next Tuesday once they really get going and will post an update after that. I think the County is still figuring out what gets cut out and ground down, what gets patched, and what just gets a new top coat. Or they have it and I just haven't seen it yet.

Worst case is we may not be able to drive our cars in to the area on Saturday but Mark was looking at roping it off anyway to use as a kite set up zone. And hopefully most of us are only in Stevenson for about 2 hours before heading off for Hood River.

I'm also working on an idea to move the parking bumpers along the water front back to the north about 1 to 2' to help keep the car bumpers from hanging over the grass. Seems like this would give us just a bit more grass area to set stuff up on.

There are no plans in place to tear up the exisitng sidewalk/bike path along the waterfront. Just a bad rumor.

Sorry for the late update as I have known about this project for a month or so but it snuck up on me as I've been pretty busy lately. More info as it becomes available.

Tony
Commissioner, Port of Skamania

Mark · Fri Jul 17, 09 1:24 pm

Thanks for the update Tony!

tonyb · Fri Jul 17, 09 8:42 pm

Picture below shows the designated recreation only parking spaces. I think the only time they all get filled is during the Blues, Brews & BBQ event and the evening of 4th of July.

Tony

tonyb · Wed Jul 29, 09 10:29 am

Got an update yesterday on the remaining work in the parking lot. Below is the general plan.

Wednesday: the contractor is going to begin mixing in the new concrete base and rolling and compacting the parking lot. No driving allowed on the areas once they've been rolled.

Thursday: continue rolling and compacting. no driving allowed.

Friday: place asphalt black top. no driving allowed. Not sure if it will be able to be opened up for the weekend crowd. May have to park on the street and at the boat launch and walk in on the bike path. Still shorter than the hike at the Spit!

Next Monday / Tuesday: paint parking places, replace bumpers. Full access once paint is dry.

I know it's an inconvenience but please try to stay off the new paving until it's had a chance to cure. We need this to last at least 10 years!

Tony

tonyb · Fri Aug 21, 09 1:50 pm

Well, the best laid paving of mice and men....

Things have gone a little slower (surprise!) than originally envisioned due to a number of factors outside of our control. But it looks like we're in the home stretch. Here's what's left:

- Seal coat this Saturday. No driving or parking on the pavement once the seal coat is applied.
- Striping and signage on Sunday.
- Open up for normal traffic Monday morning.
- Sometime in the next few weeks Insitu will begin installing fencing along the south side of the building similar to what MFG had in place.

Also, for those of you who are worried about parking spaces now that Insitu has moved into the old MFG building the Port has held meetings with the Insitu folks and re-iterated which spaces are reserved for recreation. If you have issues or concerns with inappropriate use please go to the Port office next to Bob's Beach and talk to John or Karl. Do not go knocking on Insitu's door or stick your head through the roll up doors.

I hope to get in some kiting this weekend at Stevenson so feel free to ask me questions about any of this if you see me down there.

Tony

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1781 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

Insitu sucks a big donkey weiner and I'm cancelling my order for one of their ten million dollar toy airplanes. Dangler

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

Sella · Sat Aug 22, 09 11:38 am **Re: insitu`**

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

jsj · Since 11 Sep 2006 83 Posts Hood River

objective evidence?

spill it or STFU.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

All that buttery new pavement is going to make for some pretty sweet skateboarding Very Happy