PORT TOWNSEND — A three-way Customs House agreement among the city of Port Townsend, the U.S. Postal Service and the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation is expected to result in protection of the historic 119-year-old building, as well as adapting the building to make it more accessible.
It also will lead to a new, separate sorting facility.
The City Council on Monday unanimously decided to instruct City Manager David Timmons to work toward the development of the agreement, which would being in earnest after Jan. 1.
Facing declining revenues, the Postal Service had announced that it planned to deem as surplus several properties, including the Customs House — so named because it was built in 1893 to house the U.S. Customs office — where the city’s post office is now housed.
Without the deal, the Postal Service could sell the building at 1322 Washington St. to a private-sector entity that doesn’t have preservation as a priority, Timmons said.
Under the agreement, the state Trust for Historic Preservation would not only protect the building but also subsidize a retrofit so the retail center of the post office and the boxes are compatible with the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act, or ADA.
Stairs are difficult or impossible for some to climb to get to the post office now. The Postal Service has provided drive-up service for disabled customers there.
The retrofit would require the construction of two ramps with an estimated cost of $150,000, as well as a lift that would be attached to the rear of the building.
A previous proposal to construct an elevator using an existing shaft was found to be unfeasible, Timmons said.
The current retail and post office box functions of the building would remain on the first floor, while the city could lease out the top two floors to various entities.
Also, the state historic trust would subsidize the construction of the new sorting facility in exchange for space in the building where it could locate its offices.
The cost and timing of the project are both to be determined.
Several parcels are available in the target area, including the Howard Street area near the southern city limit, but a permanent selection has not been made, Timmons said.
Constructing the building could cost between $750,000 and $1.3 million, he said.
“It won’t be anything fancy,” he said. “It could be a metal building and would only be about 4,000 square feet.
“There will be no customer access. It will just be a distribution facility.”
Mayor David King was enthusiastic about the idea of an agreement with the state agency.
“This is a terrific development,” he said Monday.
“It allows us to accomplish our goals without having to do anything.
“It is a fabulous way to protect one of the most historical buildings in Jefferson County.”
Timmons said one possibility would be to locate the Jefferson County District Court in a room that previously was a courtroom.
“We’ve discussed this in the past,” he said. “A lot of the old court furniture is still in the basement, and the rooms are intact.
“We could set up District Court for the city and the county in this building, and it would free up space in the courthouse.”
Timmons said a next step is to provide District Court Judge Jill Landes a tour of the facility.
A meeting among the three entities isn’t expected before the new year begins.
“The USPS people I need to meet with are all in Denver, and they have been unable to come out here because of budget issues,” Timmons said.
“I am trying to see if we can meet someone from the Seattle regional office.”
The agreement has been in the works since 2008 and began in earnest three years later, but the process has lacked continuity, Timmons said.
On three occasions, he said, he has built a relationship with a Postal Service employee only to see that person retire in the middle of the process.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
