Possible South Whidbey School District bus barn parking for Langley boaters

Boaters using Langley Marina could launch their boats and then drive up to old Langley Middle School bus barn parking lot and leave their rigs temporarily if a memorandum of understanding is adopted by the parties involved.

The memorandum was unveiled Tuesday at the Port of South Whidbey commissioners’ meeting, a product of conversations between city, port and South Whidbey School District representatives.

The school district would retain control of the parking lot, which hasn’t been used much since the district’s central bus facility was moved to Maxwelton Road years ago. Traditional uses, such as parking for the Island County Fair, would still be allowed. The port approved the memorandum Tuesday.

Dan Poolman, the school district’s business manager, said Wednesday that he helped draft the memorandum and pointed out the district would retain control of how the parking lot is used.

“I think it’s a good use of public facilities,” he said, adding it will likely go before the school board this month or next.

Curt Gordon, president of the port commission, said boaters could use the middle school parking lot during “weekends or whatever.” In return, the port would help maintain and improve the parking lot.

If all parties agree, boaters could eventually park their rigs and walk down Cascade Avenue to a funicular the city hopes to build, and ride from there down to the marina.

Contact South Whidbey Record Editor Jim Larsen at editor@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 1-360-221-5300.

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