Woods Hole Terminal Reconstruction Project - archived

Posted: September 16, 2022

Terminal design update - January 2022

Below is the video of the January 19, 2022, community engagement session. 

January 19, 2022 Community Engagement Session Presentation  

Terminal design update - November 2021

Below is the video of the November 4, 2021, community engagement session.

November 4, 2021 Landside Community Update presentation 

Terminal design update - July 2021

Below is the video of the July 7, 2021, Community Engagement Session. 

Additional files:

Chat transcript

July 7, 2021 Landside Design Presentation

Terminal design update - March 2021

Project architects BIA.studio delivered the first of four planned community engagement sessions via Zoom on March 23, 2021, to concide with the completion of approximately 40% of the schematic design phase. Following sessions will be held at the following milestones: 90% schematic design (roughly June 2021); 40% design development; and 90% design development. The objectives of the sessions are: fostering an open dialogue with community stakeholders; answering questions related to the project design; discussing design criteria and objectives; and listening to public comment and input.

To view the presentation delivered at the community forum, click the link below:

Landside Design Community Forum (updated 3/23/2021)

To view a videorecording of the session, see below.

Chat transcript

At the January 2021 Board meeting and February 2021 Port Council meeting, project architect BIA.studio provided an update on the landside design process and timeline. Among the updates were the following: 

  • The exploration of eliminating one row of vehicle stating to use for bike parking at the rear of the terminal site.
  • Incorporating in-road lighting fixtures where possible. 
  • Examining active and passive criteria for handling coronavirus-like incidents via the building's air handling, fomites, social distancing, public restrooms, and overall adaptability. 
  • Pursuing LEED Certification and LEED Zero Energy Certification. 

As approved by the Authority Board, the terminal design concept calls for a one-story, flat-roof terminal building and a two-story utility building at the Woods Hole terminal site. 

To view the presentation to the Board and Port Council updating the progress of the landside design phase of the project, click the link below:

Woods Hole Landside Design Update

Phases 2 through 4 (Waterside Work) of the Terminal Reconstruction Project

At a special Board meeting on December 5, 2017, the SSA’s Board awarded the marine construction contract for the waterside work that will be completed in Phases 2 through 4 of the project to Jay Cashman, Inc., of Quincy, Massachusetts, for the Total Contract Price of $43,143,280.  

The overall project entails the phased demolition of all of the existing waterfront structures that include the current three ferry slips and supporting utilities to be replaced with three new ferry slips, two passenger loading piers, and comprehensive utility and stormwater management improvements. Following the waterside construction, landside improvements include site re-grading, a new ferry terminal building and equipment storage building, bus berths and overall reconstruction of site utilities and vehicle accommodations.

Because we want to minimize the potential impact of the project’s construction activities on our own operations and adjacent property owners and local businesses, most of the onsite work will be accomplished in phases during “off-seasons” that will run from early September through mid-May each year.  Only one slip will be reconstructed at a time to ensure that we will always have two slips available to maintain our regular ferry service.  During each summer season, we will also have the third slip available so that we can berth three vessels at the terminal.  All construction activity at the terminal site will effectively cease during each summer season except for limited activity that does not have a material impact on either our operations or the Woods Hole community.

You can click on the links below to see the following documents relating to these phases of the project:

  • A satellite photograph of the terminal prior to construction, and then a feasibility phase drawing of the site plan for the reconstructed terminal superimposed over the photograph.  Satellite Photograph & Site Plan

  • Drawings showing what demolition and construction work is going to be accomplished during each phase of the Waterside Work (Phases 2 through 4).  Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4

  • Drawings of the three reconstructed ferry slips, including a drawing showing their different elevations.  Ferry Slip Drawings

  • Renderings that show different perspectives of the three reconstructed ferry slips.  Ferry Slip Perspective Renderings

  • A July 2017 schematic design phase drawing of the site plan for the reconstructed terminal.  Schematic Design Phase Site Plan 

Terminal project cost and timeline update

At the February 18, 2020 joint meeting of the Board and Port Council, General Manager Robert B. Davis presented information updating the timeline and budget for all phases of the Woods Hole Terminal Reconstruction Project. The presentation may be viewed here: Report on Woods Hole Terminal Reconstruction Project Timeline.

Terminal design update - November 2019

At its November 19, 2019 meeting, the Authority Board voted to approve a concept design for the terminal building in Woods Hole that includes a one-story terminal building and a two-story utility building at the site. The decision to proceed in this manner was reached following extensive public comments on the three design concepts presented at a June 18, 2019 meeting, all of which were deemed to block too much of the view of the water from the Crane Street bridge. It is hoped that the one-story terminal building will open up more of the water views. Additionally, the two-story utility building, which will house the employee areas once located on the second story of the terminal, should be sufficiently out of the way so as to not block any views of the water.

Below are some additional materials that were presented at the meeting: 

Staff Summary and presentation - One-story terminal design concept

The Falmouth Conservation Commission has approved the Authority’s request for an amended order of conditions for our one-story terminal design concept and two-story utility building. The Authority's submission can be found here: Conservation Commission filing.

October 7, 2019 presentation to Falmouth Board of Selectmen

General manager Robert B. Davis made a presentation to the Falmouth Board of Selectmen regarding a one-story design concept for the Woods Hole Terminal Building that includes a flat-roofed building with solar panels over it, as well as over the bus canopies to the east, and a two-story freight building on the terminal property. The design is a concept only and has yet to be reviewed or approved by the Port Council or Board. View the presentation here: Oct. 7 terminal presentation to Falmouth selectmen

June 18, 2019 presentation

The Steamship Authority’s Board held a special meeting to review the public feedback received to date and to consider on a proposed framework for revised schematic design phase services by the Authority’s architect on the project, BIA.studio.

Following the meeting, the Board declined to take action on the proposal at that time. 

Below are links to a staff summary on the proposed framework for the revised schematic design phase services as well as a report from the Woods Hole Group on the site. 

Staff Summary #GM-723: Request for Authorization to Develop a Revised Woods Hole Terminal Building Design

Woods Hole Group final report

March 19, 2019 presentation 

At its March 19, 2019 Board meeting, the Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority released three design options under considerating for its Woods Hole terminal building. 

View and download the presentation here: March 19, 2019 Woods Hole Terminal presentation on design alternatives

View and download the March 28, 2019 presentation at Falmouth High School Audiorium here: Woods Hole Terminal Building – Design Update.

View and download the Steamship Authority's responses to public comments received followign the October design presentations here: Responses to public comments.

October 9 & 10, 2018 Presentation to Public

The link below provide an update on the preliminary design of the new terminal building that will be located at the site. Architecture firm BIA.studio (formerly Bertaux + Iwerks) and SSA Managers presented this update to the public in Falmouth and in Vineyard Haven.

Public Presentation October 2018

September 14, 2018 Update on design of new terminal:

The links below provide an update on the preliminary design of the new terminal building that will be located at the site. Architecture firm BIA.studio (formerly Bertaux + Iwerks) made presentations in August 2018 to the Port Council and Authority Board on the latest version of the terminal design. 

Temporary Passenger Platform Canopy
Site Plan
Building Plans
Elevations 1
Elevations 2
Seasonal Shading at Plaza
Design Development
Circulation Plan - Entering
Circulation Plan - Exiting