Working Waterfront Revitalization

Working Waterfront Revitalization Initiative

Building on Tradition, Planning for Tomorrow

Program Update — September 2026

The Port of Port Orford is modernizing its working waterfront through a coordinated set of infrastructure, planning, and design projects supported by federal, state, and agency partners. Work is now underway on every funded project in the portfolio: contractor teams are mobilized on four fronts, the Port has begun regular cross-project coordination and community outreach, and attention is turning toward the funding decisions that will determine the scale of the next phase.

This page provides an overview of the Initiative. Detailed information on each project is available on that project page (click the project link for details).

Completed

• Crane Replacement ($4.25M)

  — Two 50-ton cranes now complete and in service. This increased capacity means safer and more durable operations for our commercial fleet and other vessel operators.

Active Projects

• Seawater Delivery System ($500K, Stage 1)

  — Funded by Business Oregon (Regional Infrastructure Fund). Stage 1 design is underway with NWR Consulting, with the west side of the dock confirmed as the intake location. Usage estimates from live seafood, aquaculture, and other prospective tenants are being gathered to finalize system sizing. Stage 1 milestone expected December 2026; a Stage 2 application is in development.

• Dock Road Slope Stabilization — Assessment and Planning ($300K)

  — Funded by FEMA. Contracts are executed with Fugro Lands, USA and partners Integral Consulting, and Strategic Earth Consulting, and the team is in the analysis and planning phase. Geotechnical sampling and slope-stability analysis begin in September 2026. This planning work is needed for a construction funding request, potentially in 2027.

• Energy Infrastructure — DOE ETIPP (technical assistance, no cost to the Port)

  — The ETIPP team was on site in early August metering shore power and water pedestals, the Port’s largest collective energy draw. First results are expected in September 2026 and will inform microgrid feasibility work and near-term decisions about pedestal replacement. Partners include Spark Northwest, the City of Port Orford, and national energy laboratory staff.

• Port Site Plans — USDA AMS (no cost to the Port)

  — The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Wholesale Markets and Facilities Design Team is developing Site Plan 1.5, addressing interim operations during construction. Site Plan 2.0 follows by June 2027.

• Economic Analysis ($50K)

  — Funded by Business Oregon. BST Associates has delivered draft findings, which are under Commission review. The final analysis is intended to inform the Port’s budget process and capital priorities.

• Maintenance Suction Dredge ($500K requested)

  — A Congressionally Directed Spending request is pending in the FY 2027 bill with the support of Rep. Hoyle’s office. Permitting is in process; a decision is expected in late 2026.

• Port Orford Seafood Hub ($11.25M requested)

  — The Port’s revised MARAD Port Infrastructure Development Program proposal — incorporating agency debrief feedback, updated documentation, and a requested match waiver — is in agency review. The Port’s designation in NOAA’s National Seafood Strategy Implementation Plan as a national pilot continues to strengthen the case. A decision is anticipated in late 2026; if awarded, design and pre-construction would occur July–December 2027.

In Development

• Stormwater Drainage Repair

  — To be included, with a revised DEQ plan, in a joint USDOT BUILD proposal (February 2027).

• Dock Piling Replacement / Reconfiguration

  — Also planned for the joint 2027 BUILD proposal.

• Breakwater Assessment

  — The Port is pursuing a USACE planning grant (March 2027) to support feasibility work, in coordination with MARAD and USDOT.

• 5th St. & Harbor Dr. Development

  — Early scoping, with potential partnerships involving coastal Tribes, culinary institute programs. Funding not yet identified.

Coordination and Community Engagement

The Port convened its first Project Partners Coordination Meeting on July 16, bringing together BST Associates, ETIPP/Spark Northwest, NWR Consulting, Fugro, USDA, and Port staff to identify opportunities for collaboration across scopes and to align schedules and information needs. These sessions are now being held monthly.

A Community Town Hall was held August 4 at the Port Orford Public Library, with representatives and materials from across the portfolio. Discussion focused on the ETIPP energy assessment, power outage scenarios and safety, the preliminary seawater system design, the Dock Road project, and Port finances and seafood landings.

The next Community Town Hall is Tuesday, October 6, 6:00–7:30 pm, at the Port Orford Public Library. All are welcome.

What to Watch For

• September 2026 — Dock Road geotechnical field work begins; USDA Site Plan 1.5 progress; first pedestal metering results.
• December 2026 — Seawater System Stage 1 milestone; Seafood Hub award decision; FY 2027 dredging decision.
• February 2027 — Joint USDOT BUILD proposal (stormwater and pilings).
• March 2027 — USACE planning grant proposal for breakwater reconfiguration.
• June 2027 — USDA Site Plan 2.0.

The Port will continue to post updates here as projects advance. Questions may be directed to the Port Manager and Project Advocate.