PORT ANGELES — City staff members have endorsed a proposal from two artists to turn the former On the Boardwalk restaurant into a glass blowing and metal casting studio, but the absence of electricity has them wondering — who is going to pay to power the place?
The city sought proposals for leasing its vacant building at 110 E. Railroad Ave. on June 10 but has since found the building no longer has any electrical connections, and such a studio proposed by artists Bob Stokes and Paul Labrie would require an additional transformer to provide enough electricity.
‘In a limbo’
“It kind of came to a surprise to us,” Labrie said. “We are kind of in a limbo.”
City Manager Kent Myers said the electrical connections were removed because they were in the way of construction for The Gateway transit center and were not reconnected because the city had intended to redevelop the property.
Myers said adding electrical power connections to the building, including a transformer, would cost about $10,000.
Council to consider
The city, he said, is talking with Stokes and Labrie about how those costs will be covered if the City Council approves the artists’ plans when it meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall, 321 E. Fifth St.
“As far as cost sharing for the electricity, that is still outstanding,” Myers said.
Two other proposals — one for retail and another for a Mediterranean-style restaurant — are also on the table, but the art studio is the idea city staff members are recommending the council approve.
The city bought the 36,229 square feet of land –which includes Budget-Rent-A-Car and Cock-a-doodle Doughnuts — in August 2006 for $1.2 million to provide parking for The Gateway. The property was later found not to be needed.
Labrie, who owns Labrie Glass Co. at 2886 Monroe Road, said the art studio would offer lessons, demonstrations and opportunities for residents and tourists to give glass blowing a try.
“It’s an almost contact-type art situation,” he said.
Tourist attraction
Labrie also said the studio would give travelers another reason to stay in town.
“They can grab something to eat, visit a few galleries, but there’s [little] to grab people’s attention to attract them to stay,” he said.
In order to operate the glass blowing studio, Stokes, who owns Studio Bob at 118 ½ E. Front St., said the building must be free-standing, which leaves few options in town.
The two artists made the same proposal to the city more than a year ago, but it was rejected because then the city wanted to redevelop the property.
As of the current situation, Stokes said, “We’re just ironing out all the details.”
Labrie and Stokes are proposing a five-year lease of $300 a month for the first two years that will increase 50 percent annually for the next three years.
The city receives $1,500 a month in rent from Budget-Rent-A-Car and Cock-A-Doodle Doughnuts.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
