PORT TOWNSEND — The idea of a graving yard south of the Boat Haven marina has some merit, business and economic representatives polled Wednesday said.
Tamer Kirac, Jefferson County Economic Development Council executive director, said the idea will probably be brought before the council’s board Jan. 7.
“It’s something I would like to explain to my board,” said Kirac, who discussed the embryonic Port of Port Townsend proposal with Port executive director Larry Crockett earlier this week.
“That is such a long process and I know the decisions have to be made quickly,” Kirac said.
“If it is something that complies with environmental laws and ordinances and has some good opportunities for job creation, I would hope the board would look favorably upon it.”
He said with such a project “we would need to be sure there is a buy-in from the city and the county.”
David Brader, incoming Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce board president, also said the idea deserves attention.
“I think that anything we can do to bring business to the community has to be looked at very carefully,” said Brader.
Chamber speaker
State Transportation Secretary Doug MacDonald is scheduled to address the chamber’s Dec. 31 noon luncheon at The Commons at Fort Worden State Park.
His schedule topic will be the future of state ferries, but no doubt the graving yard issue will be brought up.
“It’s really a shock for Port Angeles and its chamber and Port there . . . so they’re going to be suffering and we don’t want to take advantage of a bad situation,” Brader said.
“But if we can resolve this, then it might work.”