Skagit County Public Works is moving forward with plans to redesign the Guemes Island ferry parking lot using federal grant funding. They expect to select a consultant by May 22, 2026, with an updated design concept anticipated in early 2027.
At this stage, the County has indicated they will provide the consultant with existing design concepts based on prior discussions.
Recently shared plan-view drawing of proposed parking lot
3-D rendering of proposed parking lot elevations showing retaining walls and single entrance
Why this matters now
This is a critical moment in the process. Once a consultant is under contract and working from a defined concept, it becomes much harder to influence the direction of the project.
Decisions being considered—such as parking layout, traffic flow, and site access—will directly affect:
- Daily ferry use and the island’s only public boat ramp
- Safety and emergency access to the parking lot
- Pedestrian and ADA access
- Traffic patterns on Tidewater Road and surrounding areas
What past planning tells us
A comprehensive Transportation System Assessment completed in 2017 looked at the ferry system as a whole—parking, traffic flow, ferry operations, and future demand.
Key takeaway:
Parking is only one part of a larger system.
Changes to operations, ticketing, and traffic flow can significantly affect how much parking is actually needed.
That means design decisions made today should be based on a full, updated understanding of how the system works—not just a single concept.
See Transportation System Assessment below for details
Why community input is essential
The consultant will rely on the information they are given. Without broad community input, that perspective may be limited.
Guemes Island residents and ferry users bring essential knowledge about:
- Real-world traffic and congestion patterns
- Seasonal and weekend demand
- Increased parking needs due to Fare Elasticity
- Safety concerns and constraints of the site
- How the ferry system is actually used day-to-day
Your voice helps ensure the project reflects reality—not assumptions.
What happens next
GIPAC (Guemes Island Planning Advisory Committee) is partnering with the GIFC (Guemes Island Ferry Committee) with advisory input from the Guemes Island Fire Department as well to ensure:
- Community input is gathered and documented
- Key issues are clearly communicated to Public Works and the consultant
- The process remains transparent and responsive
How you can get involved
We need broad participation now—not later.
Here are ways to stay engaged and be heard:
- Attend upcoming community meetings (details to follow)
- Watch for updates and materials explaining design options
- Share your experience and concerns when input opportunities are announced
- Stay informed and help spread the word to neighbors and other ferry users
If needed, additional steps may include coordinated public comment, letters, and a community petition to ensure input is formally recognized.
Stay connected
Updates will be shared via email, the GIPAC website, the GIFC website, and community postings.
If you are not already on the email list, please sign up to receive updates.
This project will shape the future of the ferry landing for decades.
Community input now will help ensure it works for Guemes Island—not just on paper, but in practice.
— GIPAC/GIFC
Guemes Island Planning Advisory Committee 