LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Ideas should focus on harbor projects
Published 4:36 pm Friday, May 8, 2015
Editor,
In the wake of the charrette, it is evident that Langley residents have little interest in supporting a funicular to ferry people from the harbor to town (page one story, May 2). By contrast, there seems to be much enthusiasm for the Port of South Whidbey’s future (and ambitious) plans to expand the marina. Perhaps now is an opportune time to consider what the city might do to create economic opportunities down at the harbor.
Langley harbor used to be a significant boating destination, partly for the local fishing but mostly because it was a convenient fueling stop for those leaving Seattle and heading north to the San Juan’s. It is only in recent years that we have come to consider Langley’s merchants as the draw for tourists. Back in the day, Barney’s Marina tended to this boat traffic, offering fuel, tackle and boat repair/storage facilities.
If the city wants to encourage boat-related economic activity (tourism, but also local boaters), it should work together with the port to help bring a fuel dock back to Langley. A fueling facility, combined with a small bait shop, snack shack and parts store, would draw boaters to, and provide additional economic opportunities around, Langley’s harbor.
This is not an easy fix. Floating fueling stations have become expensive, due to heightened environmental and regulatory requirements. Indeed, this is the reason why there are fewer fueling docks serving a growing fleet of boats. If the city and port could work together, however, they might overcome these challenges. After all, if Langley can afford something as whimsical as a funicular, we should be able to fund an important part of the local transportation infrastructure. Better yet: this sort of project would serve residents, merchants and tourists alike.
By building a marine fueling infrastructure, and encouraging local entrepreneurs to connect to it (fuel, bait and tackle, snacks, groceries…), Langley can become even more attractive to both local and transient boaters.
JONATHON MOSES
Langley
