The Herald, Sat. Nov 7, 1998 Sec. B, Local News pp. 1B, 4B QUOTED AS FOLLOWS: PIX (no source given) Captioned: The Port of Edmonds small boat harbor is under construction in this photo from the early 1960s. Birthday for Edmonds port Facility observes 50th year since shift from shingle mills By Kate Reardon Herald Writer EDMONDS - The waterfront here began to make a transition from an industrial area to a place for recreation about 50 years ago. Shingle mills lined the waterfront from thre 1890s to the early 1950s. A port district was formed in 1948 not only to stimulate economic development in the Edmonds area, but to also fulfill a dream of building a marina and harbor, said Christopher W. Keuss, deputy executive director at the port. In 1961, the port district began building what was then called the Edmonds Boat Harbor, which later became the Edmonds Marina. The Port District of the Port of Edmonds will celebrate its 50th anniversary at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Edmonds Yacht Club. Local dignitaries, business leaders and community members will attend, Edmonds Mayor Barbara Fahey will give a proclamation commemorating the event and other people from the port's past will give insight into the port's development and history. The Edmonds Historical Museum will have displays of news, coverage and historical photographs. The University of Washington Studio Jazz Ensamble will play. Tours will also be available. "What we have today is a culmination of dreams to meet the fishing and charter needs and later a recreational facility," Keuss said. Sen. Henry M. Jackson helped dedicate the newly completed marina in 1962. The Por of Edmonds owns about 38 acres of uplands and 18 acres of water. It has 729 moorage slips in the water and about 350 spaces for dry boat storage. The port leases property to business owners on the waterfront. The port district, a specialized taxing area, operates on a $3.3 million annual budget and collects 23 center per $1,000 assessed valuation from property owners living within the port district's boundaries. A 100-year storm in 1996 wiped out most of the covered marina, sinking 300 boats and damaging more than 100 more, Keuss said. That damage was the most devastating event the Port of Edmonds has faced. Rebuilding the marina cost $13 million. Ben Cain, who has served as a port commissioner since 1992, said port property has provided recreational activities for boaters in the area as well as public access to the waterfront. "There's nothing more relaxing to me than being by the water," Cain said. "I know a lot of people who like to go to the water. It's a big strong dose of nature," Cain added. He said the port has also contributed to the area's economic development with shops, restrauants and other businesses. Today, 60 business (sic. - CC.) are part of the port-owned Harbor Square complex.\ "Some people believe that without that waterfront and the port keeping it a safe and friendly interesting place to go, property values would be less," Cain said. Jerry Blanton, who served as port commission from 1990 to 1994, said the Edmonds waterfront has changed significantly over the 25 years he has lived in the area. "I think the port has always been very accommodating to the residents in trying to have services available down there, whether it be a sportsman or someone who wants to stroll through the neighborhood," Blanton said. "It's an interesting place to visit whether your're looking for a nice overlook to Puget Sound for the sheer beauty or whether you're looking for a pleasant place to dine," Blanton added. Blanton, who has a 26-foot fishing boat at the port's marina, said he visits the waterfront area three or four times a week to fish, walk, eat or watch the sunset. Al Holte was just 29 years old in 1948 when he became one of two port attorneys. "I served there while we made the contract with the stat of Washington to build the ferry dock," Holte said. "I think the impact of the port has brought a lot of money to the area. It has also made an impact on the quality of life here. I think generally it's had a good impact on the area." Youj can contact Kate Reardon by phone at 425-339-3455 or by e-mail at reardon@heraldnet.com END OF QUOTED ARTICLE FROM THE HERALD. * * * Comment: I know that I have said this before, but it bears repetition, do visit the Edmonds Historical Society Museum in downtown Edmonds, as it is what I would call a first class Museum. The staff there will greet you and they will guide you and answer questions concerning the items on display. When I was there, there was a fine working railroad panoramic display of early Edmonds on the first floor among the many displays on that floor of interest. Then, take the elevator down and you step out into a room chock full of excellent displays of every description. I had a limited amount of time to view it the day I first saw it, but it is a museum that I would go back many times to see. The glass covered displays were so professionally done as to make you marvel at the fine job that was done there. If you like history, history of the area, and if you like to photograph items of special interest, this is the place to do it, as the lighting, displays, and the whole organization of that museum is an historians dream come true. We are very fortunate to have Edmonds among our many attractions in the Pacific NW and the town of Edmonds appeals to the nautical interest and presents a neat, clean , and highly interesting place to visit at any time of the year. It is most commendable to see how those boat spaces have been rebuilt - better than ever, after the devastating catastrophe that went on there as a result of the storm of 1996. Carroll of Snohomish. * * * 30 * * * ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]