PORT ANGELES – A vision for a remodeled and updated Landing mall and terminal includes an organic grocery store, French bakery, live seafood market and specialty wine and cheese shop.
“I want to bring that kind of excitement you feel in another seafront city,” said Paul Cronauer, a Port Angeles developer who, along with Mark Craig of Seattle, is a partner in of Port Angeles Landing LLC.
Cronauer addressed the Port Angeles Business Association on Tuesday at Joshua’s Restaurant and Lounge. Craig also was expected, but couldn’t attend because of illness.
Port Angeles Landing LLC closed the $743,360 purchase of the salmon-colored waterfront landmark on Monday.
The partnership bought it from the Port of Port Angeles.
Remodeling of the interior – possibly adding such continental features as the French cafe and seafood market – has begun and will be completed by tourist season, Cronauer said.
The new owners will also remodel the front of the building and perhaps repaint it.
Plans include a three-story viewing tower on the building’s south end that will become the second-floor entrance, Cronauer said, adding that the viewing tower on City Pier doesn’t permit a view west as this would.
The business also will start an extensive remodeling of the dock for use by small boats with the hope that needed permits will be in hand by the end of summer.
A proposed underwater viewing tube wouldn’t work because of tides, but something closer to Victoria’s Undersea Gardens could be built instead, Cronauer said.
Port Angeles Landing LLC was selected by port commissioners in October to buy the 2.67-acre property.
It includes the 46,840 square-foot, three-story building with an elevator, retail space, office and restaurant with two levels of parking for 104 cars.
The building houses several tenants, including Victoria Express, the seasonal passenger ferry to Victoria as well as the Customs inspection area, Landing’s Restaurant and Dockside Lounge, Downriggers Restaurant, Duty Free Store, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary display and offices, and other offices.
A separate 2,400-square-foot brick building facing Railroad Avenue serves as the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center.
All current tenants will remain, Cronauer said.
