Colman Dock's future may hold condos, hotel

Seattle's Colman Dock, which serves more than 9 million ferry passengers a year, could become home to a hotel, condos or even a concert venue under ferry-service plans for a major overhaul.

The $225 million project to build a new terminal and other facilities on the dock was announced Thursday by Washington State Ferries. Money for the project is already in the ferry system's budget.

Along with a new terminal, the state wants to team up with a private developer to finance the additional projects on the dock, such as a hotel or office space.

Building heights could be an issue, however, because waterfront zoning laws have a 45-foot height limit, said Celia Schorr, with the state ferries. The limit could go up to 75 feet with approval from the City Council.

The overhaul of the dock, built in 1936, would be the biggest change to the facility since the state bought the ferry system from a private operator in 1951.

The system is beginning an environmental-impact statement for the new terminal, a process that is expected to take two years. Design work would follow, and construction could start in 2011.

The work is expected to be completed five years later.

Public input sought


Washington State Ferries is seeking public comments on the expansion of Colman Dock. A public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Puget Sound Regional Council, 1011 Western Ave., Room 500.

Comments can be sent to WSF Customer and Community Relations, attention: Hadley Greene, 2901 Third Ave., Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98121.

Many of the area's piers, eaten away by shipworms and other marine creatures, would be rebuilt, and the ferry system also is exploring the idea of a restaurant offering a panoramic view of Puget Sound.

"This is a tremendous opportunity," Seattle City Councilman Peter Steinbrueck said Thursday. "I'm excited about this project. It's an opportunity in waiting, an opportunity to generate a lively, seven-day-a-week action zone in the central waterfront."

It's Steinbrueck who envisions a cultural venue on top of the new terminal, one that could host theater productions or concerts.

Included in the remodel is expanded passenger access from the terminal to the ferries, said Tim King, with the ferry system. He said the number of passengers riding the ferries without cars is growing quickly and the state hasn't kept up with providing them safe and easy access to the boats. At least one new overhead walkway is included in the plans.

As part of the project, the state hopes to buy the adjacent Terminal 48 from the Port of Seattle and remove it. The land next to the terminal could be used as an additional waiting lot for cars boarding the ferries.

According to Washington State Ferries, several factors make the Colman Dock project critical:

• Ridership on the Bainbridge and Bremerton routes, which leave from Colman Dock, is projected to double over the next 25 years.

• The number of walk-on passengers is expected to triple by 2030, primarily during the afternoon commute.

• Timber decking and pilings under the dock are being eaten away by marine animals, and the creosote-coated timber is eroding.

• The terminal does not have enough room for vehicles waiting to use the ferry on peak travel days, particularly on Fridays and during the summer, so traffic backs up onto the street.

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com