Elevated ramps in ferry terminal plans

Published 4:00 pm Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Preliminary sketches were unveiled this week.

Architect David Hewitt has seen enough aerial photographs of the ferry terminal to know the comparisons.

A narrow tube near the landing that expands roundly at its mid-section before again constricting as it moves up the hill toward Winslow Way.

“I’ve been told it looks like a stomach,” he joked at a Monday meeting, as he unveiled the latest sketches of what the terminal area might one day look like.

Though Hewitt admitted the early drafts contain barely enough meat to be an appetizer, his guests were mostly satisfied after taking it in.

“I think it has a lot of potential,” said Rik Langendoen, a member of the ad hoc community group formed to assist with the terminal planning effort, of one of the new designs. “This is the closest I’ve seen you come to addressing all the key issues.”

At a meeting of the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal Community Advisory Group, Hewitt presented three previously unseen designs, all of which included an elevated transit deck, a new transit entrance across from Cave Avenue and a smaller footprint than previous efforts.

The designs were simpler versions of ones created in 1998, and would take advantage of the 100-foot elevation drop from Ferncliff to the water by building multiple levels into the hillside.

Hewitt said having a three or four level structure would reduce the building’s overall footprint while still managing to separate different modes of transportation and increase safety.

Under one option, the lowest level would be a vehicle holding area, the middle level would accommodate buses and the upper level would house the “kiss and ride” and parking. A fourth level is possible, Hewitt said, but would be expensive. Pedestrians and bicycles would enter the terminal via a trestle along the west side of the vehicle entrance from 305/Winslow Way.

Hewitt said he used “desire lines” to streamline non-motorized access and give the design clarity and safety.

“I don’t know how many times I’ve stood at that intersection and wished I could get to the terminal faster,” he said.

Though only in their infant stages, the new designs marked the resumption of ferry planning activity, which has been on hold since the city hired its own design team to work alongside that of the ferry system.

The two sides met yesterday to discuss their respective progress and exchange ideas.

Winslow Tomorrow project manager Sandy Fischer said the design teams would work together to eventually draft three or four options for the new terminal.

Both entities will host a joint community workshop at 6 p.m. on Sept. 28 at City Hall to enlist the public’s help in the planning effort.

Washington State Ferries held a similar workshop in April to kick-off the planning before the project was delayed.

Those interested in attending this month’s workshop should call 515-3411 to RSVP.

Meanwhile, the 12-member CAG on Monday resumed its work by reviewing the revised designs and discussing the design criteria.

One of the more contentious issues was the new terminal’s vehicle holding area.

About 240 cars can fit in the current holding area, with space for roughly 200 more along the shoulder of 305 between Winslow Way and High School Road.

The new holding area would accommodate 575 vehicles.

“I think that number needs to be defended,” said one man at the meeting. “That seems like more than we need.”

Others brought up the idea of a passenger ferry to shuttle people across Eagle Harbor and improve access to the south end of the island, though no such plans are in the works.

Still, CAG member John Whitlow is pleased with the way things are progressing.

“I’m excited about getting going again,” he said. “There’s always going to be some concern surrounding projects like this, but I’m more interested in delving into what could be.”