A public open house is scheduled Jan. 15 on planned changes to Seacrest Dock and year-round water taxi service for West Seattle.

The year-round service, linking downtown and West Seattle, is slated to begin winter 2010 and will continue to operate from Seacrest until a permanent site has been selected.

The project is being overseen by the King County Ferry District, King County Marine Division and Seattle Parks and Recreation department

The event will be held at the Alki Community Center, 5817 S.W. Stevens St., Jan. 15 There will be a brief presentation at 7:30 p.m.

The King County Ferry District formed in 2007, in part to save the Vashon Island passenger-only ferry service that the State of Washington discontinued effective June 30, 2008. The district is also providing operation of the Elliot Bay Water Taxi, and will offer five demonstration routes on Lake Washington and Puget Sound.

The five routes include Ballard/North Puget Sound, Des Moines/South Puget Sound, Kenmore/North Lake Washington, Kirkland/Eastside and Renton/South Lake Washington.

With funding and substantial ridership, some could turn into permanent routes.

For more information visit www.kingcountyferrydistrict.org or contact: Paula Hoff paula.hoff@seattle.gov, 206-615-0368.