Ports to meet on cargo center

Maytown reports to be available next month

By Jim Szymanski | The Olympian • Published December 15, 2007

Port commissioners from Tacoma and Olympia have scheduled an update meeting at the end of January to inform the public about possible plans for a controversial cargo facility near Maytown in south Thurston County.

The two-hour report will begin at 6 p.m. Jan. 31 at Saint Martin's University's Worthington Center.

Port officials will hand out reports reviewing the demand for such a project and the results of studies into whether another site might be better for what they call the South Sound Logistics Center.

Officials envision a place where trucks and trains could transfer cargo headed to or from both ports.

Tacoma port officials have said using trains could speed deliveries of goods because trucks often get slowed down in Interstate 5 traffic jams. The two ports are collaborating on studying and planning the project.

No decisions will be made at the January meeting and officials expect a follow up meeting within a month afterward at which the public could make comments.

Maytown-area opponents of the project, known as Friends of Rocky Prairie, objected that they may be discouraged from commenting at the January meeting.

"It's not good process to not allow questions," said Meryl Bernstein, part of the 500-member Friends of Rocky Prairie. "It's like saying we're going to inform you but we don't want to hear from you."

Though port officials have pledged to perform an environmental review if they build at Maytown, project opponents say they are worried about increased truck traffic, noise, pollution and devaluation of their property.

Port of Olympia spokeswoman Patti Grant said officials do not intend to stifle debate.

"It is a work session, this will be the unveiling of studies," Grant said. "At a minimum, there will be comment cards."

Project opponents of the 745-acre site east of Interstate 5 have asked Thurston County officials to change its zoning to force less dense development on the site. They want the site rezoned to permit either only agricultural uses or rural residential uses.

County officials are expected to decide in February whether to consider a rezone of the site, owned by the Port of Tacoma.

Business editor Jim Szymanski can be reached at 360-357-0748 or at jszymanski@theolympian.com.