QUILCENE — Port of Port Townsend officials aim to help build up the business community in Quilcene and are asking community members for advice.
“The primary focus of the port is the creation of economic development,” said Port Director Larry Crockett.
“Our job is to create jobs.”
About 70 people were at the Quilcene Community Center on Thursday in what was intended as two-way communication: for the port to define its role and also hear about the type of economic development residents want.
The answer was simple: something that allows people to earn a living wage without a significant lifestyle change.
The port had set the Quilcene meeting June 27 to discuss a proposal by Coast Seafoods Co. to buy land from the port while also providing it with about $1 million that could be used for economic development.
But July 3, Coast withdrew the offer, saying it was entering into the agreement to benefit the community and was surprised by opposition to the deal.
On July 11, port commissioners decided to hold the meeting even though the deal was dead, since it would allow an informational exchange with the public.
Port Commissioner Steve Tucker said then that he opposed holding the meeting because there were no concrete issues to discuss, and waiting “would give people time to calm down.”
But when it was over, Tucker said, “It was a really good meeting. I expected it to be more contentious.”
If Coast had purchased the property, the money would have been reinvested in Quilcene.
Now a funding source for port projects must be found.
Crockett said the port’s present investments in Quilcene are not profitable. A $73,000 loss is projected this year.
This is offset by the port’s profitable ventures, such as the Port Townsend Boat Haven and the Point Hudson RV Park.
One suggestion came from Mount Walker Inn owner Cathy Barsukoff.
Barsukoff suggested making the port property more hospitable for recreational vehicles, providing a shuttle service to town and a dumping area where traveling homes can dispose of their waste.
Attendees learned what was possible and what was not.
Cameron Jones said he’d like to see a more independent Quilcene.
“It seems like Quilcene is the Port of Port Townsend’s ugly stepchild because you are always dealing with your own Chinese fire drill up north,” Jones said.
“I’d like to see us develop our own port, our own form of government, so we could make our own decisions.”
Crockett said this won’t be possible, at least in the near term, because self-governance is controlled by the Growth Management Act, which would take years to accomplish because of zoning regulations.
Linda Herzog, who has led Quilcene Conversations — a communitywide series of meetings on potential development of the area — said no rezoning would be needed for 86 properties north of town on U.S. Highway 101, since they already are zoned commercial.
“We get 1.6 million cars coming through here every year, and that translates to about 3 million people,” Herzog said.
“We should give them a reason to stop, to use the restroom or eat.”
Tourism can be increased by spiffing up the marina area, though this potential is limited.
“It’s like a restaurant with two tables,” Crockett said of the marina.
“No matter how good the food is, you can’t get enough customers in to make any money.”
Attracting more people might not be a positive occurrence since natural resources could be compromised, Crockett said.
“Quilcene is the only warm-water beach in the state,” Crockett said.
“So you need to make sure that development isn’t going to spoil what we have.”
Before one speaker asked those present to “focus on the positive,” there were several criticisms of Coast and a questioning of its motives.
“If Coast has $1 million to spare, then maybe you should raise their rent, and they could create some jobs,” said one speaker.
Crockett said that would violate the terms of the lease, which follows a fee schedule leading up to its 2022 expiration.
Crockett had a different reaction when Davis Steelquist asked if something could be done to decrease the plant’s “light pollution.”
“When they renegotiate their lease, we should ask them to address this,” Steelquist said.
“We won’t have to wait on that for the lease to expire. We can request that now,” Crockett said.
Coast Seafoods site manager Judy Edwards was present at the meeting. She listened from the back corner and stayed out of the discussion.
Edwards declined to comment later.
Although the meeting was less contentious than some expected, there was still a sharp edge to some of the comments.
Lorna Ward said, “It’s hard to believe you people when you come down here,” and Steelquist said that past agency behavior has caused this distrust.
“People have the habit of coming down here with grand plans, and when it starts to look miserable, they just hire a consultant,” Steelquist said.
“There will be no consultants here,” Crockett responded.
“Only you people.”
Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.