PORT ANGELES — Clallam County commissioners Tuesday chipped in $15,000 to study the condition of the 1930s-era civic building at 215 S. Lincoln St. in Port Angeles.
The Port Angeles City Council approved $25,000 for the assessment last week.
The study will provide an estimate on how much it would cost to put the former fire hall — the centerpiece of a proposed historical district — back into use.
During a meeting of the county board Tuesday, Port Angeles City Councilwoman Cherie Kidd thanked the commissioners for their partnership and interest in the building.
“The building is in disrepair, and we need an assessment to find out what type of repairs are needed so we can make plans to move forward to put that building back into productivity for our community,” Kidd said.
“And without the assessment, we cannot go after grant funding.
“It’s our road map. We need to know where to go and what to do to bring the building up to code.”
The old City Hall and fire hall is part of a proposed historic district that includes the Clallam County Courthouse, the Museum at the Carnegie and Veterans Memorial Park, all of which are east of Lincoln Street.
The state Governor’s Advisory Council on Historic Preservation will consider approving the historic district at its March 16 meeting in Olympia, Kidd said.
The issue was on the agenda for last month’s meeting, but the gathering was canceled because of snow.
The historic designation would allow the city and county to apply for grants to preserve the buildings. It also would be a means to promote historical tourism.
“215 S. Lincoln is an integral part of our historic district,” Kidd said.
“We wouldn’t have one without it,” she added.
“That’s our 1930s historic art deco fire hall that was the pride of Port Angeles. In the back was the jail. In fact, the jail cells are still there.”
The upstairs served as the Port Angeles City Council chambers and administrative offices, Kidd added.
The city selected Seattle-based Swenson Say Faget, the same structural engineering firm that studied the Carnegie Library building for its restoration, to assess the old fire station and City Hall.
Along with being a historical landmark, the building has been eyed as the new location of a veterans center.
“That building was a civic center in Port Angeles, and I am so grateful that you have an interest in preserving our history as we move forward in improving our city in many ways, such as historic ties for economic tourism and to let people know why Port Angeles is special,” Kidd told commissioners Tuesday.
Commissioner Mike Doherty, a strong supporter of the historic civic district, said the assessment is “a worthy cause.”
“The structural evaluation certainly is necessary for any subsequent active use,” said Doherty, who thanked Kidd and other city officials for their work on the project.
Commissioners Doherty, Mike Chapman and Steve Tharinger have signed a letter of support for the historic civic district.
“215 S. Lincoln will be a hub of activity in the future,” Kidd said.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
