PORT TOWNSEND — Renovations on the space that the Port of Port Townsend has leased to U.S. Customs are scheduled to begin next week.
The Point Hudson office, expected to open this summer, will include a detention area.
“This new office will give us an opportunity to both provide better customer service and improved security for our personnel,” said Customs Service spokesman Mike Milne.
“Most of our work in that office has to do with entrance and clearance of vessels from Canada, and being right on the water will allow us to do that job more effectively,” he said.
Port leasing space
The Port of Port Townsend is leasing the 1,700-square-foot space, which includes an area where commissioners conducted their meetings.
The tenant of record is the General Services Administration, which provides space to the Customs Service, Port of Port Townsend Director Larry Crockett said.
Renovations will cost $157,782 and be done by Hoch Construction of Port Angeles, the low bidder on the project.
The area will be subdivided, with walls knocked down and space reconfigured to include a detention area.
“Occasionally, we will need to make use of a holding room if we have to make an arrest,” Milne said.
‘Provide necessary security’
“Having this in place provides the necessary security for the public and our staff,” he added.
The renovation will take about three months, depending on the availability of material, Crockett said.
Customs Service currently has an office suite on the second floor of the Port Townsend Post Office — in a building that historically served as the Customs House — at 1322 Washington St.
Officer Jeff Vella is the only full-time employee in that office.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
