PORT ANGELES — Port of Port Angeles commissioners approved a 10-year lease with Olympic Hiking Co. for a property that will become the local tour business’ headquarters.
“We’re really excited with what they’re going to do with the property, especially since they’re such a cornerstone business here downtown,” said Caleb McMahon, the port’s director of economic development.
Rent for the 1,300-square-foot building and 14,600 square feet of land at 720 Marine Drive will be $1,300 a month.
The port agreed to complete $50,000 in renovations for which Olympic Hiking Co. provided a surety bond in the same amount.
New flooring, walls and windows, installation of ductless heat and an ADA standard bathroom are among the improvements the port will make. It also will create a lobby area.
The anticipated move-in date is Nov. 1.
Olympic Hiking Co. owner and founder Tommy Farris said while he loves the company’s current location at The Wharf, he is looking forward to having more room for vans, guest parking and storage for equipment.
“We’re ready to spread our wings in our own space,” he said by telephone.
In other action Tuesday, commissioners unanimously accepted an additional $390,000 in Airport Improvement Program grant funds from the Federal Aviation Administration for the taxiway rehabilitation project at William R. Fairchild International Airport scheduled to begin next year.
Airport Manager James Alton said that, after commissioners approved moving ahead with the original grant at their last meeting, the FAA approached the port with an opportunity for the extra support.
“It didn’t take long” to decide whether or not to accept, he said.
The FAA will provide 95 percent of the total funding for the $6.5 million project. The port and the state Department of Transportation are each responsible for 2.5 percent of the remaining non-federal share.
The taxiway project will involve crack and slurry seal of the eastern portion of taxiway A, and full reconstruction of its western portion.
Connector taxiways C, D, E, F, G and H also will be crack and slurry sealed. Taxiway B was not included in the project.
Commissioners also approved authorization of an application for a Port Infrastructure Development Program grant to complete engineering and design documents for upgrades to Terminal 3, which is in great need of repair, port Director of Engineering Chris Hartman said.
The authorization recognized an adjusted $14.25 million budget that was above the original estimate, but it took into account the recent news that the port was eligible to apply for $11.25 million in federal funds — more than it had anticipated.
The grant will support major upgrades to Terminal 3, including removal and replacement of the eastern wood dock and trestle.
“It’s going to give us greater load capacity to operate on that portion of the dock so we can work more efficiently,” Hartman said.
Commissioners directed port staff to look into moving some of its investment funds out of the local government investment pool (LGIP) and to First Fed and report back at their next meeting.
“I would personally like to see it go back into First Fed if that interest rate matches or exceeds the LGIP,” commissioner Colleen McAleer said.
Jennifer Baker, the port’s director of finance and administration, said staff had discussed financial risk with First Fed and were told that investments were protected by deposit insurance.
“I don’t think we keep money in any particular place,” commissioner Steve Burke said. “We should put our money where the best rate is. If that’s better than LGIP, we move it. If it’s not, then we don’t.”
Meanwhile, port Executive Director Paul Jarkiewicz said notices have been sent via certified mail to all Port Angeles Boat Haven tenants that the new policy mandating all polystyrene foam used in docks, floating blocks and overwater structures be replaced or fully encapsulated is now being enforced.
The policy is in line with state law on the sale, distribution and use of EPS.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached by email at paula.hunt@peninsuladailynews.com.
