GSA issues FEIS on Peace Arch project

By Pat Grubb

An informal public informational meeting will be held June 8 to present the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the Peace Arch border facility. The meeting takes place at 6 p.m. at the Blaine Senior Center on H Street.

Of four alternative designs, the General Services Administration (GSA) chose alternative #4, a design that incorporated elements of two other designs. The chosen design incorporates a one to two story building that will be mostly located below grade under a raised northbound roadway. The building itself will incorporate 30,000 square feet of floor space.

Plans call for 10 inbound inspection lanes on the west side of the building with a covered secondary inspection area capable of processing 40 vehicles, and a separate 72-space parking area for employees and visitors. The project does not involve acquiring state park land; however, 11 homes and one lot will be expropriated. Residents have been told they will receive fair market value as well as a relocation allowance.

While none of the homes are considered to be of historic significance, some of the homes have resonance with Blaine history.