The City of Gig Harbor is committed to keeping the community informed about the progress of the Commercial Fishing Homeport at Ancich Waterfront Park (Homeport).
The city is pleased to report that the federal government has completed its review and is in the process of approving and issuing a permit. Over the past year, delays in federal permitting halted the project’s timeline. But these recent updates will allow the Homeport project to get moving again this spring.
Why it matters
From honoring Croatian-American traditions to supporting a new generation of maritime workers and maintaining the small-town character residents cherish, the Homeport project reflects the community’s identity and economic resilience.
The Homeport will give commercial fishing boats the opportunity to return home to moor. This provides space for a commercial presence in our working harbor into the future. In short, this project will help to ensure that the city remains not only a picturesque destination, but a thriving, working waterfront.
While the Homeport project holds clear meaning for local commercial fishermen, it also carries broad community benefits including enhancing tourism and boosting foot traffic to local businesses.
Current events
The city was poised to begin construction last summer when delays in federal permitting halted the project’s timeline. The project is constrained by an in-water construction window. Environmental regulations dictate a narrow window for in-water work, driven by fish migration patterns in Puget Sound. The construction window for this type of work in the marine waters of Gig Harbor typically runs from July 15 through February 15 of each year.
Working in close collaboration with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the city was able to get a biological opinion (BiOp) for the project submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). This BiOp provides recommended federal mitigation measures the city will conduct before construction of the Homeport marina begins. The USACE can now finalize and issue the city’s federal permit.
The mitigation includes installing energy dissipation at the Soundview Drive stormwater outfall, removal of the Jerkovich Pier, and payment of mitigation credits to the Puget Sound Partnership.
The Homeport is funded in the city’s 2025–2026 budget. After the federal permit is issued, the city can reengage with its planning department for the local and state permitting process. This includes a review of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) by the Washington Department of Ecology, a hearing examiner meeting, and associated comment and appeal periods at the local level. The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife then provides a hydraulic project approval (HPA) permit.
Currently, the city’s construction timeline is anticipated to begin in mid- to late-April with an advertising period running approximately four weeks prior to opening a call for proposals window for construction bids. The city anticipates having a construction contract awarded approximately three weeks after bid opening. Pre-fabrication work is anticipated to begin in the summer of this year with on-site construction completed by end of 2026.
The city thanks and acknowledges our local, regional, and state partners who have helped move this effort forward. We are especially thankful for our partners at the Port of Tacoma, who have offered their expertise and strategic guidance in engaging with federal agencies. We look forward to continuing our work with our federal partners.
How we got to Homeport
This project is rooted in a shared vision that began more than a decade ago. Originally initiated in 2013 through and extensive visioning process (Resolution 949) and the city council’s adoption of Resolution 1210 in 2020, the Homeport is intended to support Gig Harbor’s long-standing identity as a working waterfront by providing dedicated moorage for commercial fishing vessels. The project represents a vital investment in preserving the city’s maritime heritage, strengthening our local economy, and ensuring future generations can continue to live and work on the water.
The formalized vision for Ancich Waterfront Park outlined goals for the park's development, including public access, preservation of historic features, and support for maritime uses. While the park has since opened to the public with amenities like boat storage and beach access, the goal of providing moorage for commercial fishing vessels remains unmet.
Gig Harbor’s maritime legacy is a source of pride. We want to express our sincere thanks to the community for its continued patience and understanding. This project has been in the making a long time, and we share your eagerness to see it realized.
Learn more about the project, including an updated timeline of recent activities, on our Park Planning & Projects page for the Commercial Fishing Homeport.