PORT ANGELES — One year after it was condemned, there remains no sign that the former Chinook Motel will be replaced or renovated anytime soon, according to the realty firm listing the blighted property on Port Angeles’ most traveled thoroughfare.
The issue is price.
Carroll Realty owner Dick Pilling said the owners of the shuttered motel at 1414 E. First St. are simply asking too much for the corner property.
He added he believes it will remain unsold “indefinitely” as long as the asking price of more than a half-million dollars remains unchanged.
Owner ‘resolute’
“The current owner is resolute in his price,” said Pilling, “which has not attracted an offer yet.”
And how much are they asking for?
The listing is for $544,000, said Carroll Realty sales associate Tilly Mollenkramer, but that’s just for a third of the 1.51-acre site.
The owners, William and Awatef Younan, have requested $1.6 million for the entire property, she said.
That’s about $1 million more than the whole property is worth, Mollenkramer said.
Asked who set the price, William Younan said, “Realtors,” but was unable to clarify.
Neither owner could be contacted for further comment.
Mollenkramer said only half an acre on the property’s east end is being listed because of the high asking price. She said that portion would require less demolition — if a buyer wants to tear it down and start over — and would be easier to sell.
But has there been interest?
Certainly, said Mollen kramer, adding that she gets a call every week from someone inquiring about the site.
Popular in 1950s
While the motel is far from what it was in the 1950s, when it was one of the most popular lodgings on the North Olympic Peninsula, the corner property is still one of the most attractive pieces of commercial real estate on the market in Port Angeles, she said.
Mollenkramer said it’s because of its size, location on U.S. Highway 101 and potential for water views.
City Planning Manager Sue Roberds agreed.
“There’s tons of potential there,” she said.
While she gets regular phone calls about the site, Mollenkramer said only one inquiry has looked promising since the city condemned the motel on June 26, 2009, over 29 building and property maintenance violations.
Assisted living
She said a group of investors from Florida was considering turning it into an assisted living facility but backed away since the rooms are not connected by a hallway.
The last serious offer she was aware of was made more than three years ago.
At the time, Mollen kramer said she was representing the prospective buyers who made an offer of $1 million. They wanted to build a hotel and conference center, she said.
Offer turned down
The offer was turned down.
Mollenkramer said she doesn’t recall how big the conference center would have been.
Roberds said city staff, which has aimed to attract more conference-type facilities to Port Angeles, was disappointed that the project didn’t pan out.
“We were definitely excited,” she said.
Although the motel is already condemned, the property might still remain in violation of the city’s nuisance ordinance, said Nathan West, city economic and community development director.
He said his staff is considering additional enforcement actions. West said that could include removing the former sign, but declined to be more specific since no decision has been made.
The ordinance lists requirements for property maintenance, including removing overgrown vegetation.
Since it was condemned, the city has required the Younans to remove the name of the motel from its sign and, about a month ago, mow the grass.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
