PORT TOWNSEND — If passion counts, the Boy Scout House on Morgan Hill would remain where it is forever.
City Council members heard the fervor for keeping the Scout House in its current location during their meeting Monday night as Scouts, parents and friends of Scouting filed to the microphone.
The log building was abruptly sold April 16 by the Chief Seattle Council of the Boy Scouts of America to former City Councilman Vern Garrison, who said he wants to move the structure and develop the water-view property.
Garrison on Monday turned down an offer from attorney Brad Johnson — a Morgan Hill neighbor — to buy the building and property.
But Johnson made a second offer of $100,000 more.
“I hope that will send a message to Chief Seattle Council about the value of this property,” Johnson said of his $800,000 offer.
The Scout House was on the City Council agenda Monday night because Garrison offered to donate the building to the city and for reasonable expenses to move it to city park property at the corner of Foster and Quincy streets.
City Manager David Timmons said upcoming major projects such as construction of the City Hall annex and fire station would make it difficult for staff to meet Garrison’s 120-day deadline to agree to move the Scout House.
Public comments
Council members, after hearing 30 minutes of public comments against moving the building, decided that they should again look at the issue during their May 3 meeting.
