By Kiera Morgan

The Port of Newport, at their meeting last week, announced that they are working with Steve Webster, owner of Front Street Marine, which owns the property where the Undersea Gardens is located. They have announced they are removing the Undersea Gardens and putting in an Ice House to benefit the fishing industry on the bayfront. Commissioner Lamerdin said he was a bit concerned about noise as this is a major tourist area where people come to view the sea lions.

Port General Manager Kevin Greenwood said this would also be an attraction for tourists. “I think in a lot of ways in talking with Steve about his vision for that site, that it could really actually end up being as big of an attraction as the sea lions. With the off loading of the fish it will be a lot easier for the public to actually view the fish mongering and a lot of those types of activities.”

Other conversations discussed with Steve Webster and his contractor included assistance in removing the pontoon from Yaquina Bay and facilitating its destruction. Commissioner David Jinks said he was a bit concerned about how Port Dock 1 would be left after the removal. According to Greenwood “Mr. Webster was quite sensitive to impacts to the commercial fishing fleet that use Port Dock 1 and is willing to help the Port consider these points as he develops his venture.”

Vessels mooring at Port Dock 1 have access to a pile/cleat on the corner of the proposed new structure. Port Dock 1 serves as the primary overflow area for the large Alaskan fishing vessels that are too large for navigating into other docks. They hope to get the in-water work started in November and complete the project next year, in 2016.