PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles has extended its graving dock negotiations with the state for four months, allowing the Port to conduct an appraisal of the property before selling or leasing the land.
While the appraisal is being done, the Port will continue to negotiate with the state Department of Transportation over the prime waterfront property.
The state has already offered $3.06 million for the land.
Transportation officials said last week that it would be cheaper to buy the land than to lease it.
The extension, approved Monday by Port commissioners, will give the Port and Transportation until Aug. 31 to reach an agreement.
The Port and Transportation were slated to reach an agreement on the property’s acquisition by Thursday.
If an agreement is not reached by Aug. 31, the state could start a condemnation law suit against the Port in which a jury would ultimately decide how much money the Port would receive for the graving dock property, Port attorney Dave Neupert said Monday.
Meanwhile, questions still remain about how the graving dock will be used after the state completes its Hood Canal Bridge project in 2006-07.
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