Thursday, October 22, 2026
The Port of Olympia is proposing a 32,500-square-foot expansion of its Swantown Marina & Boatworks yard to increase capacity and improve services for the region’s boating community.
The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a pre-submission conference for the project on Wednesday, Sept. 30. The project site is located at 915 Washington St. NE in Olympia.
The proposal calls for the conversion of a grassy, previously unpaved area south of the existing yard, between the Boatworks facility and Marine Drive NE, into space for vessel storage, staging and equipment operations. Plans also include new fencing, lighting, water connections and stormwater improvements.
Port of Olympia Public Works Program Manager James Sommer said the expansion would extend the existing operation into the grassy area and add space to serve customers.
City of Olympia Senior Planner Jackson Ewing said the project qualifies for the city's State Environmental Policy Act exemption because the expansion is under 65,000 square feet and is located outside shoreline jurisdiction.
However, the existing stormwater pond is within shoreline jurisdiction. Ewing said the Port of Olympia's permitting requirements depend on whether the pond needs to be modified. If modifications are required, the Port of Olympia may need a shoreline substantial development permit.
The proposed fencing and retaining wall along Marine Drive NE must also be set back 10 feet from the property line, with landscape screening required along the frontage.
City of Olympia Senior Engineering Plans Examiner Zulaika Kim said the current plans do not appear to require modifications to the existing stormwater pond.
Because the project creates more than 5,000 square feet of new hard surface, the Port of Olympia must complete a stormwater scoping review before final permitting requirements are determined.
The timing of the application could also affect which stormwater standards apply. Applications deemed complete before July 1, 2027, would be reviewed under the city’s 2022 drainage manual, while applications deemed complete on or after that date would be subject to the planned 2027 standards.
The Port of Olympia's next steps include completing the stormwater scoping process and submitting the required materials. The review helps to determine whether additional shoreline or landuse permits are needed.
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Moorhead
Swantown Boat Works is not near 915 Washington St. NE.
Thursday, October 1 Report this
swvoltz
Haul out and storage costs are outrageously expensive at the Swantown yard. Most boat owners I know are taking their boats to Tacoma or Anacortes or elsewhere to do their haul outs, storage, and repairs. Perhaps this is the reason why I recently counted 25 open work spaces in the Swantown yard. Why expand a yard that has shrinking business? Let's hope someone comes to their senses and lowers the prices down to where it will attract new business.
Saturday, October 3 Report this
Oly1956
Swvoltz: the port will do public good by raising capacity for derelict and abandoned vessel demolition. Someone has to do it. It also will allow them to modernize the stormwater treatment to satisfy environmental requirements.
Bodyworks actually has a lot of demand and a wait-list. It's just very season dependant.
Saturday, October 3 Report this
swvoltz
Oly1956, I checked with the boat yard and they have lots of spaces open right now and room also for long term winter storage on the hard. It is true that folks are taking their boats elsewhere for a haul out. I've priced multiple yards in Puget Sound who have prices HALF that of Swantown boat yard.
Tuesday, October 6 Report this
Person of Interest
Swantown Marina lost $115,000 in 2025. The boat yard is hardly full. I have heard Port employees state that marinas like Swantown have a difficult time breaking even. What is the Port’s business plan outside of build it and they will come to support the expansion discussed in the article?
Sunday, October 11 Report this