Fishline slope work nears start date

Published 3:00 pm Wednesday, September 27, 2006

POULSBO — With the proper permit issued, the slippery slope behind North Kitsap Fishline’s Third Avenue building will soon be solidified.

City Engineer Andrzej Kasiniak said he expects work on the retaining wall to begin Monday with the city coordinating all of the construction activity.

City civil engineer Crystal Ackerman and public works assistant superintendent Dan Wilson will lead the effort to stabilize the slope before the rainy season arrives, Kasiniak said.

On Jan. 10, a section of the steep embankment behind Fishline’s 3rd Avenue building gave way, resulting in a half-day closure of the popular food bank.

“I think it’s very important to have it done before it starts raining,” said Fishline Board President Mary Barker.

Poulsbo City Councilman Mike Regis agreed with Barker’s assessment and said the project’s ultimate goal is the protection of both the slope and Fishline’s building.

In addition to building a retaining wall to help stabilize the slope, the city will also redirect surface water that led to the sloughing problem in the first place, Regis said.

Since the embankment gave way, it has been an ongoing concern as Fishline continues to serve the community, Barker said.

Working with the city to find a solution has gone extremely well, she said, noting that a couple of local contractors have stepped in to help as well.

“We’ve received commitments from Fred Hill Materials and Talbot Excavating,” she said.

Those commitments will help offset Fishline’s portion of the estimated $35,000 project, she said.

“We’ve gotten good responses from several more contractors. We’re also going to be having a fund raiser in November,” Barker said.

Kasiniak said even though the project estimate is $35,000, the city is working to reduce the cost by building more of the wall on the city-owned part of the slope.

“We have a letter of understanding with them. They will pay for whatever portion is on their property,” Kasiniak said, adding that the final costs won’t be known until the project is completed. However, the most immediate issue will be with parking, which is already limited at Fishline, Barker said.

“They’ve told us it will take roughly three to four weeks,” she said. “We’re going to be able to stay open, but parking will be an issue.”

Fishline has already informed its clients and staff about the upcoming project and will do its best to cope with the situation, she said.

Those wanting to help with the project can call Fishline at (360) 779-5190 and donations specifically for the project can be sent to Fishline at P.O. Box 1517, Poulsbo, WA 98370.