PORT ANGELES — A court hearing on Clallam Transit System’s property condemnation petition for the Port Angeles International Gateway Transportation Center has been postponed again.
A hearing set for April 4 was rescheduled so both sides could prepare to argue a motion challenging Clallam Transit’s authority to condemn property for the project.
A telephone conference call is set for 3 p.m. today with Jefferson County Superior Court Judge Craddock Verser to argue that motion and reschedule the April 4 hearing on the property condemnation petition.
City Manager Mike Quinn said Thursday that if the judge rules that Clallam Transit System can’t condemn property for the project, the city is prepared to take over that role.
“We’ve got the power to do it, but I believe Clallam Transit does too,” Quinn said.
“Clallam Transit is securing property for their bus transit lanes and part of the building.
“I don’t see how you separate that out, but that’s up to the judge to decide.”
Quinn said the city certainly has the authority to condemn property — so it could step in and continue with that process if the City Council agrees.
Procedural issues could delay the process — but there’s no question about the legality of the city condemning the property, he said.
“We need to get going with this project,” Quinn said.
