PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Public Utility District finalized the purchase of 5.32 acres of land in Carlsborg on Wednesday.
The $335,000 purchase was approved at the PUD commission’s Feb. 1 meeting and was finalized on Wednesday, said spokesman Jeff Beaman.
The land is currently zoned residential, and the future use has not yet been determined, he said.
“It will ultimately give us more flexibility as we pursue our ultimate goal of centralizing ourselves in the Carlsborg area,” he said.
The land is adjacent to some property already owned by the PUD off Carlsborg Road.
“Our 2008 long-term planning process identified ways for the district to pursue the highest levels of efficiency by consolidating operations and locating them to a more central location for our customers,” said PUD General Manager Doug Nass in a statement.
“This parcel adjoining our 7-acre Carlsborg Operations Center gives us important flexibility as we implement that plan.
“Today’s market conditions for real estate created an incentive to take this action now rather than later and create long-term savings as a result.”
The PUD’s supplies, materials, inventory and operations — as well as the staff who oversee those areas — are being moved to the Carlsborg Operations Center at U.S. Highway 101 and Hooker Road.
The move is meant to make more room for the Port Angeles Operations Center’s auto shop, mechanics, facility maintenance and safety personnel as well as other staff and equipment.
Beaman said that the new property will be evaluated to determine how best to use it.
A couple of buildings already located on the parcel could be used for storage, and the land could be used to store utility poles, but the use is still being evaluated.
Once a use is determined, the organization will request the land be rezoned for public use, he said.
