Port of Tacoma Commissioners approved a $2 million contract on May 20 as the final step toward enhancing and restoring a premier $12 million habitat site near Hylebos Creek.

Plans for the 23-acre site include excavating contaminated and unsuitable soils and creating freshwater and inter-tidal marsh, forested upland and riparian habitat.

The port bought the former Parsons property in 2005 for future habitat mitigation and restoration. Its tidally influenced location at the mouth of the salmon-bearing Hylebos Creek makes it especially valuable as restored habitat.

The property also sits next to habitat sites restored by other organizations, providing broader environmental benefit by connecting several restored areas along the creek.

Plans for the port property are divided into five separate projects to fulfill current or future habitat restoration requirements.

When the restorations are complete, the property will provide about 23 acres of resting and feeding areas for young salmon before they head out to Puget Sound, as well as a home to native plants, water birds and other wildlife.

The site’s complete design, restoration and ongoing monitoring are expected to cost approximately $12 million.

The port received nine bids, ranging from a high of $3.5 million to a low of $2 million, submitted by Tucci and Sons of Tacoma.

The contract includes removing contaminated and unsuitable soils, filling and grading a former gravel mine, demolishing structures from a former concrete recycling facility, creating suitable habitat and planting native vegetation to meet local, state, tribal and federal requirements.

According to the port’s plans, the site just off Marine View Drive at the northeast corner of the Tideflats will be transformed into a natural site able to support salmon spawning and migration.

Work is expected to begin in early June and should generate about 25 construction jobs. Port staff expects restoration to be completed before the end of the year.