PORT ANGELES — The City Council gave a qualified endorsement Tuesday night to a private campaign to restore the art deco ferry Kalakala.
The council voted 5-2 for a resolution that expresses emotional support for the efforts of ferry owner Steve Rodrigues’ Kalakala Alliance Foundation.
But it emphasizes that the city will not provide any money or lend its name to fund-raising efforts.
Rodrigues has said that the city’s blessing would help him in seeking grants and loans from public and private sources to fund the vessel’s three-year, $13 million to $15 million restoration.
Council members Gary Braun and Lauren Erickson voted against the resolution, saying it is premature without a long-range plan for maintaining the 1935 ferry after restoration.
The resolution acknowledges the city’s attempts to develop tourism attractions through private investment, including the Kalakala Alliance Foundation’s plans to possibly homeport the restored ferry in Port Angeles.
But the final declaration states, “this resolution shall not be considered as an endorsement by the city for the purpose of soliciting donations or investment in the alliance or the Kalakala project.”
City Economic Development Director Tim Smith said he added the verbiage in case the restoration effort loses steam and the city is approached to continue the effort.
