PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles will pay $5.4 million to buy 18 waterfront acres from Nippon Paper Industries that includes the company’s former wood chip processing plant on Marine Drive.
The purchase was announced at Monday’s Port commissioners meeting after the commissioners and staff adjourned to a 35-minute executive session shortly after the meeting began.
The purchase will allow the Port to consolidate its log handling operations now conducted in two locations, Executive Director Clyde Boddy said.
It also could provide flexibility for growth, including cargo handling, a staging area for barges or other marine trades activities, he said.
Nippon Paper Industries USA Co. Ltd. President David Tamaki said he was pleased with the outcome of the lengthy negotiations with the Port.
“We have appreciated our relationship with the Port throughout the discussions and understood the Port’s desire to purchase the property for its future operations,” he said.
“We are pleased to reach a mutually beneficial agreement, and look forward to a successful transition of ownership.”