HomeMy WebLinkAboutDISCUSSION re Transit request re Gateway property JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Josh D.Peters,County Administrator
DATE: August 11,2025
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION and POTENTIAL ACTION re: Letter of interest—Jefferson Transit
Authority Acquisition of the Gateway Visitor Information Center Property
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) is in receipt of a letter from the Jefferson Transit Authority
(JTA), dated July 31, 2025 and attached, that expresses interest in acquisition of the county property—
located at 93 Beaver Valley Road, Port Ludlow, on State Route (SR) 19 near the intersection with SR 104—
that currently houses the Olympic Peninsula Gateway Visitor Information Center(Gateway VIC), operated
through the Jefferson County Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC).
ANALYSIS:
The July 31 JTA letter outlines the opportunities and advantages that JTA sees with respect to the
acquisition of the subject property. JTA General Manager Nicole Gauthier has been invited to participate in
this agenda item to further describe JTA's perspective and to answer questions from the BoCC.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
RECOMMENDATION:
Review the JTA letter and discuss the proposal. Direct staff as to next steps.
REVIEWED BY:
( c1 7/7 ar
Josli'D. Peters, County Administrator Date
1
44,
TRANSIT 63 Four Corners Road, Port Townsend, WA 98368
July 31, 2025 RECEIVED
Board of County Commissioners JUL 31 2025
P.O. Box 1220
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Port Townsend, WA 98368 COMMISSIONERS
Subject: Letter of Interest—Jefferson Transit Authority Acquisition of the Gateway Visitors Center
Property
Dear County Commissioners,
I am writing to express an interest in Jefferson Transit Authority's potential acquisition of the
property currently occupied by the Gateway Visitors Center. This location presents a unique
opportunity to enhance regional transportation through the development of an enhanced park and
ride facility that would also serve as a vital link between Jefferson and Clallam transit agencies.
As outlined in the recently completed site plan by SO Alliance, the property is well positioned to
facilitate bus operations and essential interagency connections. This would include seamless
transfers between the Jefferson Transit#14 Kingston Express and Clallam Transit's#123 Strait Shot,
improving accessibility and convenience for riders traveling within and between the two counties.
Additionally, establishing a transit connection point at this location would enable the Dungeness
Line to incorporate a stop, expanding interregional transit options further. It would create a central
point for ridesharing and other shared mobility services, encouraging sustainable travel behaviors
and reducing reliance on single-occupancy vehicles.
Importantly, this project supports both Jefferson Transit's broader service goals, outlined in its
Comprehensive Operational Analysis, as well as Jefferson County's Framework Goal VII— Mobility, as
described in its April 2025 Comprehensive Plan. The acquisition would create a strategic connection
point within the agency's service area and serve as a launchpad for exploring new and innovative
service models such as microtransit
I encourage the Board to give serious consideration to this opportunity, which would provide long-
term benefits in terms of regional connectivity, environmental sustainability, and community
mobility.
Sincerely,
Nicole Digitally signed by Nicole
Gauthier
Gauthier Date.2025 07 31 13:35:05
07'00'
Nicole Gauthier
General Manager
Customer Service: 360-385-4777 www.jeffersontransit.com