PORT ANGELES — The city’s waterfront improvement project will get a $285,952 assist from Clallam County.
The three commissioners Monday said they would approve a grant to the city of Port Angeles for Phase 2 of a $17 million makeover of its waterfront.
A formal board vote will be taken Tuesday, May 12.
Primo Construction of Carlsborg is expected to break ground in about two weeks on the state Department of Natural Resources parcel just west of Railroad Avenue.
The lot is being transformed into a 1.5-acre park with two new pocket beaches and an esplanade.
The City Council awarded a $1.1 million contract to Primo on April 21.
Phase 2 is designed to revitalize the waterfront between Oak Street and the Valley Creek Estuary.
It includes a new section of the Olympic Discovery Trail, a plaza, dedicated public gathering areas, landscaping and wind spires that will generate electricity.
More than a dozen North Olympic Peninsula contractors and subcontractors will work on Phase 2 of the waterfront transportation improvement plan, city Community and Economic Development Director Nathan West has said.
“The diversity of local professionals involved in the project — everything from scuba divers to artists to contractors — it’s pretty amazing,” West told commissioners.
Funding for the Clallam County grant comes from the sales-tax supported Opportunity Fund for infrastructure projects.
Last week, the Opportunity Fund Board voted 6-0 to recommend approval of the grant.
More than $3.5 million has already been committed to Phase 2.
The first phase included an esplanade along Railroad Avenue between Laurel and Oak streets.
County Commissioner Mike Chapman, who walks along the waterfront daily, said the area is more vibrant today because of the city waterfront project.
“This is working,” Chapman told West and Port Angeles City Councilman Brad Collins.
“This is definitely drawing people to the waterfront.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
