Scaled-down kayak plan would make over existing pier; kayakers are on board

In the latest twist to the long-running saga of the Gig Harbor kayak dock, the city has reached an agreement to sublease part of an existing pier, rather than build a new one for paddlers.

Under the new plan, the owners of a commercial dock next to Ancich Waterfront Park will share space with kayakers, and the city will pay for the rehab.

The agreement, approved by the City Council last Monday, means the city will not have to build a separate dock for kayaks, paddleboards and other “human-powered” craft. Instead, it will upgrade part of the existing Jerkovich Pier at the south end of the park.

It also gets the Canoe and Kayak Racing Team off the hook for much of the $500,000 they would have to raise as their part of the project. How much is still not clear.

And the solution still leaves room for a future commercial fishing dock to be built on the north side of the park.

In the memorandum of understanding, Jerkovich Pier LCC is to sublease a portion of the Jerkovich Pier aquatic lease for use as the community paddlers dock. In exchange, the city would design and construct the paddlers dock that would replace a portion of the existing Jerkovich Pier float system.

Floating docks ride up and down with the tide, as opposed to piers, which are built atop pilings, making access from small craft difficult at low tide.

The Jerkovich pier is a longstanding commercial pier just on the southern edge of Ancich Park, operated by Nicholas Jerkovich and other family members under a lease from the state Department of Natural Resources. The pier has been in the Jerkovich family since 1901.

According to the memorandum, the family was facing a burdensome requirement from DNR to modify its entire float system. The Jerkovich family approached the city with a deal, according to Jeff Langhelm, the city public works director.

“The City’s agreement to modify that portion of the float system that would be subject to the sublease would relieve Jerkovich Pier of the burden to make those modifications in that sublease area,” the memorandum explained.

Savings to city

The original plan was to build an entirely new floating dock out from the existing pier.

That would have cost $1.2 million, and the city has already lost a big chunk of tax revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. In addition, there was criticsm that a new dock, jutting out at right angles from the Jerkovich pier, would obstruct the view of the harbor.

Mayor Kit Kuhn said the savings to the city could amount to “several hundred thousand dollars.”

“The Jerkoviches are also supportive of the view corridor and how using one dock benefits the community with less coverage over water and less clutter,” the mayor said. “The kayak team knows this option we are pursuing. They are supportive if they still get the same amount of space for docking and that it could cost them less.”

Alan Anderson, founding coach of the canoe and kayak team, said the boaters will accept the change.

“While the final details have yet to be worked out, we feel that this plan will satisfy the human-powered boating community, the folks that prefer “open viewing” from Ancich park, and it is adequate for the needs of the team,” he told The Gateway.

“The reduced costs to the city will hopefully free up more funds to support local businesses and folks in need during these difficult times,“ he added.

The project was to have cost $1.2 million, of which $700,000 was to come from the city and $500,000 was to come from the club.

Of the city’s portion, $390,000 was to come from the general fund, $210,000 from park impact fees paid by developers, and $100,000 from the lodging tax fund, which comes from hotels and motels. All of those sources of income have been heavily impacted by the coronavirus shutdown.

A long history

The floating kayak dock has a long and winding history.

The Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Racing Team have been pushing for over two years to build a dock at Ancich Waterfront Park. An early proposal was for two sets of floats — one for commercial fishing vessels, another for human-powered craft — to be attached to Ancich Pier. That idea proved unpopular with both the kayakers and the fishermen.

On Jan 27, the council adopted a so-called “two-pier solution,” which envisions a floating dock for human-powered craft on the southerly Jerkovich pier, and a float for commercial fishing vessels — to be built later — on the Ancich pier to the north.

The current shared-use agreement is not a legally binding contract but is intended as a statement of good faith and intentions of both parties. A final agreement is expected by August 10.

“I don’t think there will be any problem with the Jerkovich’s being more than willing to move forward with the final contract,” Council Member Jim Franich said. “I would like to publicly thank the Jerkovich family for their willingness to move forward with this shared-use idea. it will save the taxpayers hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.”

Savings for club, too

Kuhn said this could also mean the Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Racing team may need to raise less money than previously expected for their long sought-after community paddlers dock. Their initial goal was to raise at least $500,000.

“It may mean the Kayak club would have less money that they would need to raise or very little funds required by them,” Kuhn said in an email. “The agreement with the Jerkovich Pier LLC needs to be developed and signed by both parties to make sure this is a done deal first. This will be on August 10th or sooner. Then the council, mayor, city staff and the kayak team should re-engage their own (memorandum of agreement) with the city to make a determination.”

Council Member Bob Himes described this decision as a “landmark” for the city.

“From my perception, this is a landmark of where two communities get together and come to an agreement that is in the best interest of both of them going forward,” Himes said

Many council members thanked Franich for his involvement in developing the agreement.

In other business, the city council:

• Approved a resolution adopting the 2021-2026 six-year transportation improvement program (TIP). There were six changes from last year’s TIP, including moving the metering roundabout project at SR 6/Burnham Drive interchange from number one on the list to number five. This resolution was approved 7-0.

This story was originally published July 1, 2020 at 4:44 PM.