Murray due in Port Townsend next week

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray is tentatively scheduled to visit Port Townsend on Monday for a news conference about $500,000 she recently helped to secure to benefit the downtown historical district, a Northwest Maritime Center spokeswoman said Monday.

The funding will help further develop the maritime center, public transportation and downtown streetscape improvements, said the spokeswoman, Shelly Randall.

Murray, D-Shoreline, plans to make a 10:30 a.m. appearance at Pope Marine Park, adjacent to the future site of the maritime center on Water Street.

Murray secured $250,000 for development of the Northwest Maritime Center last year.

Construction on the $10.9 million, 27,000-square-foot maritime heritage and educational facility, billed as a downtown portal between Water Street and Point Hudson, is expected to begin next year.