Work is progressing on the addition of thirty new moorage slips at the Port of Astoria’s West Basin. Concrete floats were trucked in, and construction of these 50′ marina slips has been completed. Utilities to serve the new slips are currently being installed, and it is expected full service will be available for the summer season. Harbor Master Ken Smith said all permits are in place for the installation of a concrete pad for the fuel tank. The fuel dock has been moved to its new location, and the fuel tank will be moved within a couple of months. Smith said the slips have been added to meet the growing demand for larger boat moorage at the West Basin. The budget for the project is $600K, and no taxpayer funds were utilized.

“All the money for this work was derived from local user fees and boater registration fees,” Smith said.

In 2003, the Port presented marina tenants with an improvement plan, and requested a fee increase to implement the plan. The fee increase was approved by the users, and utilized for this, and other improvement projects at the East and West basins.