The Port of Hood River is planning the centennial celebration set to take place on October 6, and attendees will have the option to walk across the 100-year-old structure.
HOOD RIVER — The Port of Hood River is preparing to celebrate the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge’s 100th birthday on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 9 a.m.
Commissioners Kristi Chapman and Heather Gehring have been collaborating with Project Manager Gretchen Goss. They’ve been coordinating with TrueWest Productions, Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum (WAAAM), the Hood River County Museum and the City of Bingen — who also celebrated a centennial this year.
The port approved a Centennial Resolution that will “formally authorize the bridge closure for a non-traffic-related event and grant authority to the ad hoc committee planning for the celebration.”
TrueWest is managing most of the logistics and anticipates a website to help visitors find information and RSVP. Pedestrian traffic is normally prohibited over the bridge, but at 10 a.m. on Oct. 6, the port will close the bridge to vehicular traffic and offer the option to walk across — the port is requiring attendees to sign a waiver if they do. There will be live music, including a band stationed on the bridge’s lift span. Food trucks will be serving food, WAAAM is coordinating a flyover and there will be a popsicle stick bridge building competition.
The Port of Hood River is planning the centennial celebration set to take place on October 6, and attendees will have the option to walk across the 100-year-old structure.
File photo
As planning continues for the centennial, the port announced two Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant awards for the Ken Jernstedt Airfield. A $273,808 grant from the Airport Improvement Grant Program (AIP) will be used for design, bidding, and a portion of the construction of a turf taxi lane on the South Apron and a $82,350 grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) will be used to design and bid a 10-unit T-hangar on the South Apron. In addition, the port received two state grant awards earlier this year, which brings total dollar value of grants awarded to more than $372,000.
The port approved an amendment to their contract with Williams Sale Partnership (WSP) for the management of Lot 1 infrastructure improvements. The Oregon Department of Transportation has requested land use scenarios in regard to a possible roundabout at the intersection of Second Street and Riverside Drive. There is no cost associated with this amendment. The decision to implement a roundabout came after the design team of Kelly, Pittelko, Fritz and Forssen (KPFF) suggested that extending Anchor Way and First Street would alleviate traffic congestion, though it is not a long-term solution. The Anchor Way extension is no longer a part of the design teams scope of work.
Moving forward with a roundabout, KPFF will lead the consultant team and will be supported by other sub-consultants. DKS Associates will provide traffic analysis an design services, Walker Macy is coordinating the landscape architectures services and Geotechnical Resources, Inc. (GRI) will provide geotechnical engineering services as needed. Design work is expected to continue through March 2025.
It has been eight years since the port updated their procurement procedures, and thanks to rule changes in the previous legislative session, procurement limits have increased. Previously, regulations limited purchasing power of the executive director to $5,000, but updates to legislation now allow the executive director to approve purchases up to $25,000. After discussions, port commissioners approved purchasing power for the executive director up to $20,000. Chapman also suggested the port review the executive director’s purchasing power on an annual basis through a business resolution.
Currently, the port commission reviews all procurement proposals before they are released to the public, and Commissioner Mike Fox said he believes they should review all procurement documents that are more “complex, larger and that aren’t standard.”
Port Executive Director Kevin Greenwood confirmed staff will present final procurement drafts to commission for projects with an estimated cost more than $250,000. Commission considered allowing port employees to bid on or purchase port property that is up for sale or auction. Currently, the port does not have a policy regarding the ability of employees to purchase surplus equipment. Both Fox and Commissioner Tor Bieker were hesitant to approve the sale of port equipment to port employees.
Previously, Port Facilities Manager Ryan Klapprich said surplus equipment has gone to auction. The Port of The Dalles sends surplus equipment to auction as well.
The Port of Hood River’s next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 17 beginning at 5 p.m.
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