The Port accepted a $32,000 grant from the FAA Airport Rescue Grant program for airport operational expenses.

The Port approved issuance of a statement of support for the Bi State Bridge Authority legislation in the Oregon and Washington legislatures.

Patty Rosas was promoted to the new Contracts Administrator position. Patty manages all Port legal agreements and public records retention practices. 

Melissa Manzo accepted a full-time position as Office Specialist providing front-line customer service and administrative support for the office and toll booth operations.

An environmental site investigation at the Jensen Building was completed with a No Further Action letter received from Oregon DEQ.

Facilities Department staff replaced the limit switch on the north end of the lift span after metal expansion from an extreme heat event damaged the device.

The Live Load Testing and Field Verified Load Rating Report prepared by BDI, Inc. was completed  and results were reported to the Commission.

The Bridge was closed to vehicle traffic for approximately five hours beginning at midnight on Friday, February 25, as Port crews made required repairs to the bridge’s lift span rocker bearing.

The OneGorge Advocacy Group prepared gift bags and produced an informational video for presentation to Oregon and Washington legislators to raise awareness of Gorge priorities. Senator Chuck Thomsen and Rep. Gina Mosbrucker helped distribute gift bags in the capitols.

With the easing of COVID restrictions for indoor meetings, the Port Commission resumed in-person public meetings with a Zoom hybrid option.

The Port Commission authorized a contract with Massana Construction Inc. for fabrication, construction and delivery services associated with the Boat Ramp Launch Floats and Repair project.

Hood River Soaring received a new wooden propeller for its tow plane, purchased with Port funding to support noise reduction. The company provides glider rides, instruction and related services.

Yolanda Rolon joined the Port team as a part-time customer service representative.

The Port Commission heard a presentation from the Hood River County Energy Council and authorized a funding request of $10,000 for FY 2023.

The Port Commission held its Spring Planning Work Session on April 5. Discussions related to finances, long-term fiscal sustainability and 10-year financial planning took place the first part of the session. The second part focused on key issues for the Bridge, Bridge Replacement, Lower Mill, the Airport, and Waterfront.

The Port submitted two large grant proposals to support construction of the Anchor Way extension and relocation of N. 1st Street in preparation for future development of Lot 1. Both requests were unsuccessful, but progress continues on this important road and utility infrastructure project.

Construction of the new rigging area at the Hook was completed, funded by a grant from Travel Oregon and support from the Columbia Gorge Wind and Water Association (CGW2).

A local community group organized a clean-up of the Spit and areas of the Sandbar on April 23rd.

Cruise ships restarted docking in Hood River in early April, continuing until early November.

Marcela Diaz was promoted to Office Manager/Finance Specialist.

The Port’s Budget Committee, comprised of five volunteers who are residents of the Port District, met on May 3 to discuss and provide recommendations to the Commission for its FY 22-23 budget.

The Port accepted a $5 million Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund Grant to support bridge replacement planning and engineering.

The Port issued a Notice of Intent to Award and entered negotiations with HNTB Corporation for project management services for the bridge replacement project. The Replacement Bridge Management Contract firm will represent the Port and Region’s interests in managing both the engineering/design and construction contracts. Michael Shannon, FE assumed the role of Project Director.

The Port submitted a $195 million grant application to the U.S. Dept. of Transportation Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant program for bridge replacement.

Port facilities department staff completed a repair to the rip rap bank near the waterfront trail.          

The speed limit on the Bridge was lowered from 25 mph to 15 mph based on engineers’ recommendations to help mitigate damage to the bridge deck and supports.

Waterfront concessions and schools started setting up and most were open for business by mid-May, looking ahead to a busy season.

A contract with Wiss, Janey, Elstner Associates was approved for inspection of the bridge’s wire ropes.

The bridge was closed to all vehicle traffic for three days on June 24-26 for the approach ramp rehabilitation project, which involved grinding, installation of a waterproof membrane, and repaving of the approach ramps on both sides of the river. The closure caused significant traffic problems throughout the region but was critical to ensure the bridge remains safe and operational until a new bridge can be built.

The Port accepted a $500,000 grant from the State of Oregon for the E. Anchor Way extension project.

After 16 years of distinguished service, Port Executive Director Michael McElwee retired on July 8. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the Port of Hood River and this community over the past 16 years,” McElwee said. “The Port has a remarkable legacy supporting both the economy and quality of life of this community. I am grateful to have played a part.” McElwee has served as the Port’s Director since July 2006.

Port Deputy Director Genevieve Scholl was appointed to serve as Interim Executive Director until a new permanent Executive Director is hired.

Representatives of the Bi State Working Group (Kevin Greenwood and Commissioner Fox of the Port, accompanied by White Salmon Mayor Marla Keethler, Hood River Mayor Kate McBride, and Klickitat County Commissioner Jacob Anderson) joined Port lobbyist Summit Strategies on a trip to Washington D.C. to advocate for the replacement bridge project.

ODOT fracture critical inspections on the bridge were performed July 25-29.

Port Commission officers were affirmed for Fiscal Year 2022-23. They are Ben Sheppard, president; Kristi Chapman, vice president, Mike Fox, secretary, and Heather Gehring, treasurer.

Many major events took place in July:

• Kiteboard for Cancer (July 8-10)
• Downwind Champs (July 16)
• and Gorge Challenge (July 22-24)
• and Hood to Coast Windy Relay (July 23)

A local favorite, Port-owned public art piece was stolen from its pedestal August 1. The frog sculpture titled “The Thinker,” is the work of Walla Walla artist Ralph Tretheway and was originally installed as part of Art of Community’s annually rotating Big Art project.

New security cameras were installed and security upgrades made at the Port office, toll booth, marina, and preparations were made for new cameras at the airport.

A new AV gas fuel tank was installed at the airport,
but electrical infrastructure problems delayed start up.

Ryan Klapprich was promoted to the position of Facilities Supervisor.

Port facilities department crews performed wetland mitigation work at the Lower Mill redevelopment site, providing a significant cost savings for the project and bringing the brownfield conversion project to completion, with industrial-zoned lots now shovel ready for development.

On August 24, the Port and its partners in the Bi State Working Group hosted a federal and state lobbying strategy discussion and familiarization tour for the bridge replacement effort.

The Port accepted a grant offer from the FAA Airport Improvement Program in the amount of $100,000 for Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) improvements at the airport.

Port staff worked hard to prepare airport facilities for the annual Fly-In hosted each year by WAAAM.

The Port of Hood River received notification of the retirement of long-term Port general legal counsel Jerry Jaques after 43 years of service. Issuing an RFQ for a new general counsel was approved.

Volunteers for the Hood River Soil and Water Conservation District gathered on August 30 to hand pull and dispose of Puncturevine at several waterfront locations. Puncturevine is a particularly nasty invasive with very sharp, spiked seed heads that can cause injury and even puncture bike tires.

The Port purchased a large hangar from WAAAM and issued a Request for Interest to assess the best commercial use of the building.

Kevin Greenwood was hired as the new permanent executive director of the Port on October 1. “We are very fortunate to have had such a strong internal candidate for the ED position in Kevin,” said Port President, Ben Sheppard. “His strong port management background, coupled with his depth of understanding of our efforts to replace the bridge and his diligent leadership of that effort over the past five years were all highly valued in this process. As the port evolves over the next decade, we feel Kevin is the right person to lead that effort.”

The Commission received a report from bridge engineer Mark Libby with HDR Engineering on the results of the recent fracture critical inspection and the load limit.

The Commission directed staff to issue a Request for Developer Interest (RFDI) for property on the North Apron.

The Commission authorized a contract with Hamilton Construction Company for the bridge wire ropes replacement project in an amount of $1,119,250. This project will require a four-day full closure of the bridge.

Bridge Replacement project partners in the Bi State Working Group hosted a tour and information session for Oregon and Washington legislators in Hood River.

A contract with James Dean Construction for a stormwater system improvement project on west Portway Avenue was approved in the amount of $313,061.

Commissioner Heather Gehring was nominated for a second term of service on the Hood River Urban Renewal Agency board as one of two Port representatives.

The Commission held a special work session on November 15 to brainstorm and discuss new initiatives and development projects on the waterfront, the airport, and the Lower Mill development site.

The Port announced the selection of Kristen Campbell and firm Campbell Phillips Law as the Port’s new general counsel, following the retirement of Jerry Jaques.

The Port announced the hiring of Debbie Smith-Wagar as its new Finance Director. Smith-Wagar has served as a consultant to the Port finance department for four years and had over 25 years of municipal accounting experience.

The Washington State Transportation Commission deployed a survey as part of its Traffic & Revenue Study for the replacement bridge, and HNTB launched a second survey to inform the decision of where to locate the future headquarters of the Bi State Bridge Authority. Thank you to everyone who responded to the surveys!

Utility license agreements were finalized with NW Pipeline, CenturyLink, and Spectrum Communications for utility access on the bridge.