PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson Transit has been given the green light to negotiate a purchase of private property for a new $10 million transit center at Four Corners Road and state Highway 20.
In its action Tuesday, the Jefferson Transit Authority board did not rule out condemnation of the 10.6-acre property owned by Pamela Pepper should negotiations fail. The action came after a closed executive session to discuss the real estate matter.
“If she is not willing to negotiate, we will have to go to condemnation, but we want to negotiate,” said General Manager Dave Turissini.
Transit attorney Mary Winters agreed.
The transit board directed Winters to notify Pepper this week by letter about the transit board’s action. Winters said she would give Pepper two weeks to contact the agency upon receipt of the letter.
Transit leaders said they hope she will either resume negotiations or get her own appraisal of the property.
Otherwise, Winter said, the agency would have to resort to eminent domain proceedings in Jefferson County Superior Court.
