PORT ANGELES — Clallam Transit System has filed a condemnation petition seeking to obtain property for the proposed Port Angeles International Gateway Transportation Center.
According to court documents, a hearing on the condemnation petition is scheduled for Aug. 6 at 1:30 p.m. in Clallam County Superior Court.
The process could end with a jury deciding how much the property is worth.
“It’s a regrettable step. We tried to work with the property owners, and finally it’s come to this stage,” said Clallam Transit System General Manager Dan DiGuilio.
“We need to acquire the property. We’re still trying to work with the property owners and hope to avoid condemnation. We’re still willing to talk.”
At issue is property needed for the proposed Gateway Center, to be located in an area bounded by Front Street and Railroad Avenue at Lincoln Street.
Entrance project
The $11.5 million project is intended to be an attractive entrance to the Port Angeles downtown, with a pedestrian mall, large decorative sails and a Chamber of Commerce visitor center, in addition to a staging area for as many as six Clallam Transit buses.
The project includes excavating the existing Budget Rent-a-Car parking lot below street level to build underground parking, which would provide about 120 parking spaces.
The property is now part of a private parking lot owned by Budget Rent-A-Car of Port Angeles, 111 E. Front St.
Jim Heckman of Port Angeles, who owns the property, said both sides hope the condemnation process can be avoided.
“I’m hopeful it’s not going get to that,” Heckman said.