The Port of South Whidbey accepted a bid to construct a recreation facility next to the Clinton ferry, saving $120,424 in the process.

Advanced Construction of Mukilteo won the bidding war with a $498,180 figure — the lowest of three others was $618,604.

“We were pleased with the low bid, but did a lot of reference checking and they have a solid record building small parks,” said port manager Ed Field.

The construction company has handled high-profile projects before.

“For example, they built the popular walrus exhibit at the Point Defiance Zoo,” Field said.

And Field noted he had a previous positive professional experience with Advanced Construction’s superintendent. “It’s always a good idea to know who your working with,” he added.

The Clinton Beach project consists of a landscaped half-acre recreation facility at 6497 Hunziker Lane, next to the state ferry terminal.

The project includes site clearing, construction of a restroom, picnic shelter, plus natural landscaping and a wheelchair-accessible ramp installation on the adjoining dock. Hunziker Lane residents will still be able to come and go, and access to the public fishing dock will be continued during construction.

Barring unforeseen contractor delays, the current Clinton Beach pay parking lot (north of the ferry terminal) will be permanently closed starting Monday, Nov. 21, at the latest.

Construction of the Clinton Beach project will then start and should wrap up by Memorial Day 2006.

Upon completion, very limited short-term beach parking will be available, but all long-term and pay parking at this location will be eliminated.

Prospective parkers are encouraged to use the port’s Humphrey Road lot, as well as the state park-and-ride lot and the Robertson pay parking lot.

The board also considered a 20-year lease from the state ferry system for the fishing pier at Clinton.

The ferry system requires either $1 million dollars in pollution insurance coverage — costly at $5,000 per year — or self-insurance.

On a 2-0 vote, commissioners Lynae Slinden and Gene Sears voted for self-insurance unless and until passenger ferry service to the dock begins. Rolf Seitle was absent.

As they went through maintenance updates on port property, commissioners asked Field the status of the marina upgrade in Langley. That led to a short but blunt discussion.

“Langley seems to feel all we’re needed for is to sign checks. Should I be signing checks?” Field asked.

“I don’t see why we have to prod them (Langley administrators) to get something going,” Sears said. “How can we discuss this when we don’t know what they’re doing and how much it’s going to cost?”

Slinden had her own concerns.

“I’m worried a non-engineer may have altered the plans without a cost overlay,” she said.

“We’re not involved until they call us,” Field responded.

Finally, a petition from Freeland residents asking the port to purchase property next to Freeland Park was shelved.

“The idea is in the comp plan, but there is no property for sale now,” Slinden said.

“However, we will certainly make sure the suggestion is in the next plan,” she said.

The next port meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the Freeland Library.