PORT TOWNSEND — State Parks and Recreation commissioners favor the lifelong learning center concept for Fort Worden but want more information before considering transferring the state park to a public development authority.
So said State Parks commissioners Friday when they addressed the Fort Worden Lifelong Learning Center Public Development Authority board during a special meeting at the state park near Port Townsend.
The commissioners Thursday delayed adoption of a resolution to begin transfer of Fort Worden State Park’s ownership and management from state parks to the PDA, which was created by the city of Port Townsend but which is legally separate from it.
Instead, a public hearing on the proposal to transfer ownership and management of Fort Worden to the public development authority, or PDA, and possible action is planned at the commission’s next meeting at 9 a.m. March 29 at Fort Worden State Park.
Before then, the Fort Worden Public Development Authority plans an open house at 7 p.m. Thursday at Fort Worden State Park Commons to share information about the proposal to transfer ownership and management of Fort Worden from the state parks system to the PDA.
Also, PDA representatives will address the noon Monday luncheon of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce at the Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St., Port Townsend.
“Everybody on the commission wants to see the Lifelong Learning Center succeed,” said State Parks Commission Vice-chairman Roger Schmitt of Port Townsend on Friday.
Schmitt said, though, that commissioners felt like a “sword of Damocles” was hanging over their heads to make a decision before all seven commissioners, some of which are new to their posts, were educated on the matter.
“State Parks did not do a good job of bringing the commissioners up to date on this because they didn’t have enough time,” Schmitt, who has served three years on the commission, told the PDA board.
The Lifelong Learning Center concept is envisioned to provide indoor and outdoor space for a variety of recreational and educational opportunities.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
