PORT ANGELES – The City Council unanimously approved selling the City Light building at 240 W. Front St. to Family Medicine of Port Angeles for $863,200 on Tuesday.
The sale approved during the special meeting includes $88,200 for a section of Cherry Street to be vacated.
It will be vacated from Front Street south to the alley adjacent to both the City Light building and the Peninsula Daily News warehouse.
But owners and managers of nearby buildings objected to the street’s closure because of its effect on parking and delivery traffic.
City Manager Mark Madsen said it still is possible the sale might not close by the contract date of Feb. 15.
That’s why the city’s lease with the Port of Port Angeles to house the city’s electric utility at the airport industrial park contains an initial term of only six months, he said.
Dr. Bill Hennessey of Family Medicine of Port Angeles said, “I want to thank the city staff for doing a lot of work and showing great vision and leadership.
“We look forward to coming downtown and contributing to where we live.”
Russ Veenema, executive director of the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, said, “It’s great to see progress continuing. This will have a significant economic impact on the downtown.”
“Whenever we have an event downtown, closing off Cherry Street for parking often is suggested because it is underutilized,” he said.
