Port's quake costs climb to $100,000

SCOTT WYLAND, THE OLYMPIAN

OLYMPIA -- The Nisqually earthquake left the Port of Olympia's boat marina and marine terminal laced with cracks, adding up to about $100,000 in damage, port officials said Monday.

But the damage was relatively minor considering that the sites were built atop concrete fill with either soggy ground or water beneath them, port officials said.

"We fared well," marine-terminal manager John Wolfe said.

The force of the 6.8 magnitude earthquake could have caused the shoreline to give way more dramatically, splitting the concrete asunder, said Nick Handy, port executive director.

Sturdy construction helped the sites withstand the quake, Handy said. "To a certain extent, we built things well and planned for these contingencies over the years."

The port will file a damage claim with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but probably won't exceed its $100,000 deductible, said George Fox, port chief financial officer.

Most of the cracked pavement probably can be filled in and won't require extensive repairs, Fox said.

At the Swantown Boatworks & Marina, the damage includes:

-Two- to three-inch-wide cracks snaking through the dock areas, embankments, parking lots and Marine Drive.

-Inch-wide cracks in the north and south boat-launching ramps.

-Curb and sidewalk joints broken apart.

-Lampposts knocked askew.

-Some dock pilings weakened.

At the terminal, deep cracks line the pavement near the warehouses and cranes. The cranes, purchased for about $8 million, appear unscathed.

At the Olympia Regional Airport, the only damage that has been detected are some cracked walls in the State Patrol's aviation office.

In other business:

-The Port Commission agreed to open up bidding for the remodeling of three marina restrooms. The project will cost between $150,000 and $200,000.

The port has $150,000 in capital-improvement funds left, said Wendy Holden, deputy port director. Any costs beyond that will require the commission to approve supplemental funds.

The golf course that the port just bought from the bankrupt Family Golf Center has an empty pro shop that must be restocked with clubs, clothing and other items, Fox said, estimating that the inventory would cost about $40,000.

Out front, the sidewalk and landscaping must be upgraded, which will cost about $10,000, Fox said.

The practice range needs taller nets installed around the fences to keep balls from flying into adjoining business sites, especially a nearby glass dealer, said Eric Rowe, who manages the golf complex.

Fox said the price of the nets has yet to be determined, but could run as high as $50,000.

But it's an investment that must be made to attract both a company to lease the course and people who would want to use the driving range, Rowe said. Right now, people are told not to drive balls over the back or side fences or they'll have to leave, he said.

"That has a definite effect on revenue," he said.

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