PORT ANGELES — Two major property sales by the Port of Port Angeles are hanging in the balance, but one could be resolved by Wednesday.
The Port may sell its 1.9-acre property at the corner of Front and Oak streets to European aquatics center developer Harry Dorssers for $800,000 this week.
Meanwhile, the staff is continuing to analyze competing offers to buy and redevelop The Landing mall property on the waterfront on Railroad Avenue.
The offers were made by Terminal Landing Co., composed of Paul Cronauer and Mark Craig, and Landing Partners LLC, composed of Jack Harmon, Jim Heckman Sr., Jim Heckman Jr. and Patrick Crumb.
On March 13, Dorssers gave the Port a $20,000 check on behalf of his company, Monte Mare LLC, as earnest money for the waterfront Oak Street property.
Balance within six months
The balance of the $800,000 purchase price is due at closing, which must be within six months, according to a purchase and sale agreement unanimously approved Monday afternoon by Port commissioners.
Dorssers was originally given 90 days, until June 13, to determine if the property was suitable for his intended use as a mixed residential, retail and recreational development.
If he had changed his mind, he would receive half the earnest money back.
If he goes ahead with the purchase, Dorssers has one year after obtaining title to apply for a building permit for the intended use or his money will be refunded and the property will revert to the Port.
Meeting today
Dorssers said he is meeting today with state Department of Natural Resources officials to discuss potential uses of the property.
DNR controls two acres of the 3.9-acre Oak Street site, which Dorssers could potentially lease.
Dorssers said he has made a series of plans after discussing with different people what makes the most sense for the property and upsets the fewest people.
“Just buying the property is not enough,” he said. “I have to put something on it.”