HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinistry of Transportation and Infrastructure 1 11 P OR
W A S H 1 N C T 0 N, U. S. A.
City Council
December 19, 2014
Svein Haugen
Director, Properties and Land Management
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
P.O. Box 9850
Victoria, B.C.
V8W 9T5
RE: Belleville Terminal
Dear Mr. Haugen:
As your closest international neighbor to the south, the City of Port Angeles has
exceptional regard for the long-term success and sustainability of the Coho Ferry
operated by Black Ball Ferry Line. This transportation link creates an invaluable
foundation for our area's Olympic Peninsula tourism industry that last year witnessed
$339 million in visitor spending supporting over 4,500 local jobs.
In recent years, area businesses and public officials have worked diligently to build
lasting relationships between the Victoria and Port Angeles metropolitan and
micropolitan areas. Mutual efforts have resulted in large contingencies of citizens
traveling across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to attend events on both sides of the
border. The continued growth of these partnerships will result in enduring economic
wins for British Columbia and Washington State. It is important that all of us make
the commitments necessary to assure success of this transportation based relationship
into the future.
Since 2011, with financial assistance from the State of Washington, we have made
major investments along our waterfront to better welcome our neighbors to the north
with the first two phases of a $17 million waterfront revitalization project.
Simultaneously, Black Ball Ferry Line and the Port of Port Angeles have invested
over $4.4 million in terminal improvements and upgrades that greatly improve the
passenger experience.
In light of the investments above, the City of Port Angeles wants to commend you
for your effort to begin planning the first phases of the Belleville Gateway
International Terminal. The City agrees that in light of the September 2014 Briefing
Update on Terminal Development, the state of the current dock infrastructure needs
attention as a matter of urgency. Our local economy is greatly reliant on a well-
functioning transportation infrastructure in support of the Coho Ferry.
Phone: 360-417-4500/ Fax: 360-417-4509/TTY: 360-417-4645
Website: www.cityofpa.us /Email: council @cityofpa.us
321 East Fifth Street - P.O. Box 1150 / Port Angeles, WA 913362-0217
Page 2
Svein Haugen
Director, Properties and Land Management
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
RE:Belleville Terminal
The City would like to take this opportunity to indicate our full support of the new
terminal and want to make sure you are aware of how important the resulting benefits
are to our mutual economies. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this
project with you at your convenience and please do not hesitate to let us know if we
can provide any testimony or factual information in support of the Terminal project.
Si ce•ely,
Dan DiGuilio
Mayor
CC Lisa Helps, Mayor, City of Victoria
City Council, City of Victoria
City Council, City of Port Angeles
Jason Johnson, City Manager, City of Victoria
Dan McKeen, City Manager, City of Port Angeles
Ryan Burles, President Blackball Ferry Line