Eureka Fisherman's Terminal

In 2006, the City of Eureka completed the Fisherman's Terminal project. The project is the latest development of the City's waterfront revitalization plan and provides a facility for Humboldt Bay commercial fisherman to moor their boats, offload their catch, sell to fish buyers, load supplies, and perform boat maintenance. Fisherman's Terminal includes a 17,000-square-foot wharf, jib cranes, upland lay down area, truck loading dock, public access paths, a float for harbor tour boat terminal, and a building pad for future construction of a fish-handling plant, market, and restaurant. In keeping with the City's goal of making the waterfront a "people place," this project complements the Inner Channel Dock and Boardwalk project completed in 2001, by incorporating elements that give the public an opportunity to observe the terminal's operations. A new pile-supported plaza area over the water, a pedestrian walkway along the landside of the wharf, and access paths from Waterfront Drive invite the public to come down and observe the activities or just spend some quiet time along the water. The philosophy of creating a "people place" on the water has been very successful as indicated by the presence of one newly completed development along the existing Boardwalk and another major retail and residential development is in the advance planning stage. Local retailers benefit not only directly from the fishing activities, but also from the new customers attracted by the new facilities. Funding for the project was difficult to obtain during a slow economic period and due to State budget problems. However, strong support from the community and tireless efforts by City staff and local elected officials resulted in a number of grants from federal, State, and local agencies added to redevelopment funds to make the project a reality.