Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski chats with Capt. Michelle Bullock, commander of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Pacific fleet, during a Wednesday morning session at the Yaquina Bay Yacht Club. Kulongoski and about 65 local, state, and federal officials celebrated the Port of Newport’s successful bid to bring NOAA’s Marine Operations Center - Pacific to Newport. NOAA and the port signed a 20-year lease, and work is beginning on a $38-million project to build the required facility on Yaquina Bay. (Photo by Terry Dillman)

High praise from highest state office



Oregonians continued to celebrate this week as Gov. Ted Kulongoski visited Newport Wednesday morning, joining nearly 65 local, state, tribal, and federal officials at the Yaquina Bay Yacht Club to mark the Port of Newport’s netting the nod to become the homeport for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Pacific research fleet.

NOAA and port officials inked a 20-year lease agreement in the wake of the Aug. 3 selection of Newport for the agency’s Marine Operations Center - Pacific (MOC-P). The Port of Newport bested three Washington contenders: the private owners at the current Lake Union (Seattle) site, and two public entities - the Port of Port Angeles, and the Port of Bellingham.

“It’s a big deal. We can’t stop smiling,” said Port of Newport General Manager Don Mann, noting the statewide partnership effort it took to earn the nod, and the on-going partnership necessary to complete the $38-million NOAA facility project by May 2011.

Mann said the project team contains “some of the best minds anywhere for a project of this size and scope.”

Headed by Joshua Dodson from Beaverton-based Day CPM (Comprehensive Project Management) Services, the team also features Portland-based KPFF Consulting Engineers (also immersed in the port’s $15.4-million International Terminal project), Eugene-based gLAs Architects LLC, Pacific Habitat Services, Inc. out of Wilsonville as the environmental consultants, and “the entire port staff.”

Dodson brings more than 11 years and more than $275 million of direct project and construction management experience, including oversight of the recently completed Oregon Coast Community College campuses. He specializes in team leadership and cohesiveness.



Project underway



Getting to this point required another grassroots team effort. It drew on the resources of folks from all walks of life, and at all levels - local, state, and federal. Newport Mayor Bill Bain noted that the present effort built on past efforts to create a brighter future for every city and entity in Lincoln County.

“We’ve already started the project,” Mann said.

Surveying and geotechnical work for upland and in-water sections of the site is underway, as is the permitting process through the myriad state and federal agencies involved.

“We’re on a very tight schedule, and we’re going to meet that schedule,” Mann declared. “Everybody will have to pull together. We want it to be a smooth transition.”



Best choice



Mann introduced Captain Michelle Bullock, commander of NOAA’s Pacific fleet “formerly located in Seattle.” Bullock called the proposal process a “fair and open competition” to pursue “a best value procurement.” She said the Port of Newport submitted the best proposal of the four finalists.

“These guys won it hands-down,” Bullock stated unequivocally.

County Commissioner Terry Thompson said ocean resources are the real beneficiaries of the project, which positions Newport and Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) to become “a hub for science in the Pacific Ocean, and tremendous advancements in ocean research in the future.”

Kulongoski agreed, citing the variety of ocean issues currently in the spotlight, among them marine reserves and wave energy.

“This will advance research of the ocean and how it affects life on the Oregon coast and change the face of Newport,” he said. “It fits well with our efforts to balance industry needs and protection of our natural resources. It will continue to help coastal communities grow their economies, and further help Oregon establish its leadership on ocean issues.”

The project, Kulongoski added, also demonstrates that “great things can be accomplished, despite challenging times.”

The yacht club’s location provided a fitting backdrop for the occasion. Across Yaquina Bay, two visiting research vessels moored at the HMSC dock stood as silent reminders of the potential for marine science and oceanography. And a chorus of sea lions at Port Dock One barked their approval.



Terry Dillman is the assistant editor of the News-Times. Contact him at (541) 265-8571, ext 225, or terrydillman@newportnewstimes.com.



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