The Event Site dock repair was planned and executed with the approval of a contract with Coffman Engineering for engineering services.

 The Port Commission approved a new lease with Hood River Yacht Club for a portion of the Marina Maintenance Building through January 15, 2023.

 Roads at the Hook, Spit and Marina Point were graded as an annual activity carried out by Port facilities department staff.

Port facilities crew member Jay Cruz worked to regrade the Marina Beach to remove an unsafe dropoff that ran along the south edge of the beach.

A “Cost to Complete Analysis” on bridge replacement efforts was presented to the Port Commission by WSP and Otak Engineering.

The Port was notified of a new load rating for the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).

A special meeting work session to discuss bridge replacement strategy was held on February 25th.

KPFF Engineers continued work on a preliminary roadway, utility layout and cost estimation related to the E. Anchor Way (Lot #1) Project.

The Big 7 Building re-roof was completed. The Port received an Energy Trust incentive payment of $23,000 which reduced the Port’s project cost to $204,000.

A virtual legislative outreach event for the OneGorge Advocacy group was held on March 10, highlighting the group’s top legislative priorities for the year.

Construction began on the Steve Gates Remembrance Project at Nichols Basin, near Frog Beach.

Steve Gates Remembrance Project memorializes a Hood River water sports icon and pioneer.

A contract was approved with Aron Faegre and Associates for design and construction services of a commercial hangar at the Ken Jernstedt Airfield.

An Airport Work Session was held by the Port Commission as part of its Strategic Business Plan process to discuss the master plan, capital projects, development and communications.

Bi-annual bridge deck maintenance and repair welding wrapped up on April 2. Single-lane closures occurred over the two-week project.

The Port Commission participated in a Spring Planning Work Session to discuss Bridge Capital Planning, the Bridge Replacement project and the 2021-27 Strategic Business Plan Update. The Commission also reviewed its 10-year financial model.

American Cruise Lines received permission from Hood River County Health Department to resume landing in Hood River again. Forty-five stops were planned through early October, with a first stop scheduled for May 6th.

Port crews completed installation of a new ADA-accessible ramp at the Marina moorage restroom.

A proposal to offer commercial sailing charters at the Hood River Marina was approved for Gorge Sail Ventures, LLC.

The Port Commission heard a presentation by Hood River County Energy Coordinator Marla Harvey on accomplishments in 2020 and continued plans. The Port Commission approved continuing its annual contribution of $10,000.

The Port of Hood River’s budget committee met to discuss the 2021-2022 budget. It recommended approving with modifications and continuing the property levy tax rate of $.0332 per thousand assessed value for FY 2021-22.

The Steve Gates Remembrance Project was completed at Nichols Basin with final grading, tree planting, irrigation and memorial plaque installation. The project was funded by a community group.

Event Site online pre-season pass sales totaled 946 for regular length vehicle season passes and 48 for over-length passes.

Inspections of the North Approach Ramp to the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge took place on May 25th to prepare for the re-surfacing project.

The Event Site booth opened on May 28th with numerous operational changes due to the pandemic, such as increased porta-potties, handwashing stations and trash collection.

Bridge Replacement Project Director Kevin Greenwood reported that the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is transitioning into the Final EIS, the Port Commission may still comment on individual chapters of the EIS.

The Port Commission approved revised Bridge Replacement Strategy Objectives to guide implementation as endorsed by the Bi-State Working Group.

Mr. Greg Hagbery, with extensive experience in property development, design and construction, became the Port’s new Property/Development Manager.

The Port purchased an AV gas tank system and related QT reader card system for pilot self-service after expansion and rehabilitation of the North Ramp area at the Ken Jernstedt Airfield. Installation is planned in the coming months.

The Port Commission reviewed the final draft and approved final text for its 2021-2026 Strategic Business Plan.

The last official meeting for Commissioners John Everitt and Dave Meriwether, who each completed four-year terms, was the June 22nd Port Commission meeting.

The Port’s Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget was approved by the Port Commission.

Newly elected Port Commissioners Heather Gehring and Mike Fox attended their first Port Commission meeting on July 13th. New and returning members were sworn in. The Commission elected officers: Ben Sheppard as president; Kristi Chapman as vice president; Mike Fox as Secretary; and Heather Gehring as Treasurer. Hoby Streich is the fifth commissioner.

Kohl Kendall and Victoria Mallory were employed as summer interns at the Port. Both internships focused on collecting and organizing all existing information about Port properties as an archiving effort.

A lease was approved in the Big 7 Building with 48 Substrate, a manufacturer and distributor of gourmet mushroom substrate growing kits.

With key roles played by Senator Thomsen and Representative Williams, the Port received $5 million from the State or Oregon (via ODOT from the American Rescue Plan Act – ARPA) for the next phase of bridge replacement efforts.

Federal ARPA funds in the amount of $500,000 were dedicated to the Port by Oregon Senator Thomsen to help fund a new light industrial hangar facility at the Ken Jernstedt Airfield and/or a utility and road infrastructure project for Lot 1 on the waterfront.

Evaluation and review of all aspects of waterfront safety and preparedness were prompted by the tragic drowning of a young girl in the Nichols Basin on June 30.

A grant agreement was approved with the Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) for the Boat Launch Float Replacement project.

The Port Commission authorized the purchase of hardware and software subscriptions with Open Media Foundation to enhance the live-streaming of its public meetings.

The Port’s 2021-2026 Strategic Business Plan was approved by the State of Oregon and published by Business Oregon’s Port Planning and Marketing Fund administrators.

The Port Commission approved the Port Executive Director’s 2021-2022 Work Plan, which aligns with service areas and key goals listed in the Port’s 2021-2026 Strategic Business Plan.

The Kiteboard for Cancer (KB4C) event was held at the Hood River Event Site from August 26-28.

The Port Commission nominated Commissioner Heather Gehring to the Urban Renewal Agency Board to replace former Port Commissioner Dave Meriwether.

The Event Site booth closed for the season on Sept. 6th.

The All-Wind Sports Industry (AWSI) held a trade show at the Event Site September 7-11, where manufacturers showcased kite, windsurfing, SUP, wing, foil and other related gear to retailers.

The annual Fly-In took place at the Ken Jernstedt Airfield September 11-12, with some planes arriving on Friday, September 10.

The Port put out a formal request for trucking companies to direct drivers to slow down on the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge. It was determined that heavy trucks crossing the bridge at speeds over 25 mph accelerates damage to the bridge deck.

Senator Jeff Merkley attended the the Bi-State Working Group meeting on September 24th. He also toured the bridge and visited the lift span control room with Port Executive Director Michael McElwee and Facilities Manager John Mann.

Waterfront Manager Daryl Stafford presented the 2021 Waterfront Recreation Annual Report to the Port Commission.

The annual meeting of the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA) was held October 19-22 in Vancouver, WA. Executive Director Michael McElwee attended.

The Hood River Valley Harvest Fest was held October 15-17 followed by the Gorge Marathon on October 24th. Event coordinators ensured compliance with State and local guidelines, policies and mandates regarding COVID-19.

Tac-Aero, the airport FBO, generously provided an updated air photo of the airfield and of the North Ramp area.

A crew from Cascade Dive Co. performed an underwater inspection of bridge piers from  September 28-October 1. Pier cap inspections followed over another four days.

The Port of Hood River conducted live load testing on the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge from October 9-24 in response to the lowered load rating imposed by ODOT in March. Bridge users were subjected to delays and intermittent closures. Full bridge closures took place on October 13 and 18.

Under bridge inspections were part of the live-load testing.

The Port Commission appointed Waterfront Recreation & Safety committee members to three-year terms.

The Port Commission approved a contract with Piatt Construction, LLC to refurbish the north deck at Marina Park #1 Building.

Business Oregon reviewed and approved the Port’s $500,000 IOF grant request for the construction of East Anchor Way on Lot #1, and forwarded the request to ODOT for review and approval.

Commissioner Fox reported that he and Jake Anderson were elected as co-chairs of the Bridge Project Replacement Bi-State Working Group.

The annual MCEDD Economic Symposium event was held November 5 via Zoom. At the meeting, MCEDD released their draft update to the five-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.

The Port Commission approved T-hanger lease rates for 2022 with a 10% increase.

The Port Commission reviewed and approved 2022 Marina Rules and Regulations as well as 2022 Marina moorage lease rates with a 12% increase.

The Port Commission ratified a new contract with Bulldog Welding to perform maintenance and repair welding to the steel grate bridge decking. Bulldog Welding provides four (4) welders and equipment for 10 working days for approximately $26,000.

The Port Commission approved the 2022 Event Rate Schedule and waterfront paid parking fees.

The Port Commission held its Fall Planning Session on December 7. The special meeting allowed the Commission to focus on strategic issues, policy matters and long-term project efforts.

The Commission approved a contract with Beam Construction for construction of a new Hook rigging area. The Port paid for this work in part with a Competitive Recovery Program grant from the Oregon Tourism Commission to fund numerous COVID safety and recovery measures on Port waterfront recreational facilities.

The new rigging area will be similar in form to the original, pictured above. The new rigging area was funded by a grant from Travel Oregon.

Port Chief Financial Officer Fred Kowell retired at the end of the year after nearly 10 years of service.