PORT TOWNSEND — A once-popular eatery overlooking Point Hudson Marina, the former Landfall Restaurant building, is just a city permit away from being removed from what Port of Port Townsend officials say may be the most valuable commercial site in town.
Port commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved applying for a city demolition permit for at least the rotunda portion of the building.
Port officials, meanwhile, continue to work with the city’s Historic Preservation Committee to get the former military work shed portion of the building declared a historical structure. That portion of the building dates back to the 1940s.
Such designation would allow the port to move the structure and use it elsewhere, said port Executive Director Larry Crockett.
“Whatever it is we’ve got to start the process,” Crockett told the port commissioners. “I personally feel that the site at least needs to be cleared.”
The decrepit building sits on a 5,000-square-foot site at the end of Water Street overlooking Point Hudson Marina.
It is across the street from the new Northwest Maritime Center, a $12.5 million improvement to that end of the downtown historic district, which is now spruced up with new city of Port Townsend streetscape improvements recently completed.
The improvements include pavers, curb “bumpouts” and storm water rain gardens.
So far, no support for the old building’s preservation has come forward after two port meetings of business owners who operate around the building.
No opposition
Crockett reiterated Wednesday to the port commissioners that no public opposition to the building removal has come to port officials’ attention.
For the site, Crockett envisions an open market-like structure with garage doors that could open in warm months, serving fish and chips or chowder along with other retail uses, including fresh farm produce.
The building was vacated in October after The Landfall owners went into default with the port on back rent and the state Department of Revenue placed a lien on the business.
Jim Pivarnik, port deputy director, said the port would have to consider a quitclaim deed to end the port’s lease with Tony and Betty Harriman, who as the former Landfall owners subleased the restaurant building to another party that fell into arrears with the state Department of Revenue and the port.
The port is owed $8,000.
No new restaurant
The Harrimans proposed a new restaurant and lounge overlooking the marina in 2005, but later dropped the proposal and sold the business.
So far, port officials said it would cost about $104,000 to upgrade the building as a restaurant to meet Jefferson County public health laws.
The building as it is would require about $39,000 in repairs.
A port consultant — an architect specializing in historic buildings — concludes that the structure is not historic under city municipal code criteria, and that a waiver from “rigorous” demolition permit requirements is warranted.
The site lies within the city’s Maritime Heritage Corridor Subdistrict with an emphasis on marine trades and water-dependent or water-related uses.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
